Bill Flett
Born (1943-07-21)July 21, 1943
Vermilion, Alberta, Canada
Died July 12, 1999(1999-07-12) (aged 55)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Right
Played for Los Angeles Kings
Philadelphia Flyers
Toronto Maple Leafs
Atlanta Flames
Edmonton Oilers
Playing career 1963–1980

William Mayer Flett (July 21, 1943 – July 12, 1999) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Atlanta Flames. Flett then moved to the World Hockey Association, playing with the Edmonton Oilers, returning to the NHL with the Oilers in the 1979–80 NHL season.

Playing career

Born in Vermilion, Alberta, Flett played his minor hockey in Okotoks, Alberta, then played junior hockey with the Melville Millionaires of the SJHL.[1] From 1963–64 through 1966–67, he played for teams in various minor professional leagues (AHL, EHL, WHL, CPHL). In 1967, when the NHL expanded from six to twelve teams, Flett was drafted by the expansion Los Angeles Kings. In his rookie season, playing on right wing, he scored 26 goals and was named The Sporting News NHL West Division rookie of the year.

Flett was nicknamed "Cowboy" because in addition to being a hockey player, he owned a cattle ranch in Alberta and he was also a rodeo performer. Flett's rodeo career ended when the Los Angeles Kings owner Jack Kent Cooke threatened to fine him $1,000 ($8,400 today) for every rodeo he appeared in. He was well known throughout his career for being one of the few hockey players at the time to sport a full beard, and for being one of the last players to play without a helmet. Not known for his playmaking skill or skating, Flett did possess a booming and heavy slapshot and when paired with the right center who could get him the puck, he was among the league's biggest scoring threats.

Flett scored 24 goals in his sophomore season. His goal production declined significantly in his next two seasons. He was acquired along with Ross Lonsberry, Jean Potvin and Eddie Joyal by the Flyers from the Kings for Serge Bernier, Bill Lesuk and Jim Johnson on January 28, 1972.[2] He had his best season in 1972–73 with 43 goals with the Flyers. Flett was a member of the Flyers 1974 Stanley Cup champion team.

He was traded from the Flyers to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Randy Osburn and Dave Fortier on May 27, 1974.[3] He was waived by the Maple Leafs after reverting to his indifferent play. The Atlanta Flames picked him from waivers, and Flett had one last productive year in the NHL when he scored 23 goals in 1975–76. In 1976–77, the Flames sold him to the Edmonton Oilers of the WHA where he averaged over 60 points per season over the next three years. When Edmonton joined the NHL, he found he had little left and retired after 20 games. He scouted for the Oilers after that.

Death

In May 1999, Flett entered the hospital due to a gall bladder condition which eventually contributed to liver failure. Flett received a liver transplant; however, his body rejected the transplant. Flett died on July 12, 1999, due to liver failure. He had battled alcoholism for many years and claimed to be sober for "4 or 5 years" after checking into the Betty Ford Clinic in Rancho Mirage in the early 1990s.[4] Flett was survived by his wife Doreen and three sons, Cody, Dean and Shane.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
1960–61 Melville Millionaires SJHL 271621814 731410
1961–62 Melville Millionaires SJHL 248142244 —————
1962–63 Melville Millionaires SJHL 5331548580 187111840
1962–63 Estevan Bruins M-Cup ————— 61122
1963–64 Rochester Americans AHL 10000 —————
1963–64 Charlotte Checkers EHL 4126214748 30116
1963–64 Denver Invaders WHL ————— 10000
1964–65 Tulsa Oilers CPHL 398223058 121236
1964–65 Victoria Maple Leafs WHL 2317814 —————
1965–66 Tulsa Oilers CPHL 552323460 —————
1966–67 Tulsa Oilers CPHL 62162844108 —————
1967–68 Los Angeles Kings NHL 7326204697 71238
1968–69 Los Angeles Kings NHL 7224254953 1034711
1969–70 Los Angeles Kings NHL 6914183270 —————
1969–70 Springfield Kings AHL 52686 —————
1970–71 Los Angeles Kings NHL 6413243757 —————
1971–72 Los Angeles Kings NHL 457121918 —————
1971–72 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 3111102126 —————
1972–73 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 6943317453 113470
1973–74 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 6717274451 1706621
1974–75 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 7715254038 50002
1975–76 Atlanta Flames NHL 7823174030 20000
1976–77 Atlanta Flames NHL 244486 —————
1976–77 Edmonton Oilers WHA 4834205420 50222
1977–78 Edmonton Oilers WHA 7441286934 —————
1978–79 Edmonton Oilers WHA 7328366414 105272
1979–80 Edmonton Oilers NHL 205272 —————
WHA totals 1951038418768 155494
NHL totals 689202215417501 527162342

References

  1. ↑ "150 Okotokians Who Have Made a Difference A-H | the Town of Okotoks". Archived from the original on 2018-08-23. Retrieved 2018-08-23.
  2. ↑ William Flett (RW) 1971–1974 – Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  3. ↑ William Flett (RW) 1971–1974 – Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Archives". Los Angeles Times. 13 March 1997.
  • Hockey Stars of 1969 by Stan Fischler
  • The Complete Handbook of Pro Hockey 1976 by Zander Hollander
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