Bill Collins (b. 1943)

William Earl Collins (born July 13, 1943) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Minnesota North Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Washington Capitals.

He played junior hockey for the Toronto Marlboros in 1960-61 and the Whitby Mohawks the following two seasons. He was stuck in the Toronto Maple Leafs minor league system and even a trade to the New York Rangers in 1964 did not help.

Collins finally got a break when the Minnesota North Stars picked him from the Rangers in the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft and he never played in the minor pros again. He played three full seasons for the club, scoring 29 goals in 1969-70. 9 of those goals were shorthanded.

The Montreal Canadiens picked him up next but traded him before the end of the year to the Detroit Red Wings. He enjoyed three solid seasons for the Wings and then a couple with the St. Louis Blues. He wound down his career with the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, and the Washington Capitals.

Collins retired in 1978. He played in 768 NHL games, scoring 157 goals and 154 assists.

There is quite a coincidence in his career. In 1964, he was part of a package of players sent by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the New York Rangers for superstar Andy Bathgate. Bathgate was an important part of the Leafs' Stanley Cup win that year.

In 1971, he was part of a package of players sent to the Detroit Red Wings for superstar Frank Mahovlich. Mahovlich was an important part of the Canadiens' Stanley Cup win that year.