University extends condolences on the passing of hockey great Billy MacMillan
The University community was saddened to learn of the death of Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University alumnus and former 69传媒Men鈥檚 Hockey coach William "Billy" MacMillan, who achieved a level of sport success that few other Islanders have.
鈥淥n behalf of the 69传媒, I extend condolences to the family, friends, teammates, and players of Billy MacMillan,鈥� said interim 69传媒president, Dr. Greg Keefe. 鈥淗e was a proud Islander and SDU alumnus, and most importantly, a wonderful mentor and role model for generations of hockey players and PEI youth. He will be greatly missed.鈥�
69传媒Men鈥檚 Hockey coach Forbes MacPherson recalled, 鈥淟ong before it was the pond surrounding the par-3, number-7 hole at Fox Meadow Golf Course in Stratford, it was known as MacMillan鈥檚 Pond. As kids, we spent an endless number of hours skating and playing hockey on the farmhouse pond belonging to hockey legend Billy MacMillan鈥檚 family! It couldn鈥檛 be any more Canadian than that. Rest in peace, Billy Mac.鈥�
MacMillan was a player on several provincial, regional, and national championship hockey teams, and earned both the coveted Olympic scroll and Stanley Cup ring during his career.
After being recruited to play at St. Michael's College in Toronto and enjoying a highly successful junior "A" run, MacMillan returned to Charlottetown to pursue his academic studies, leading the Saint Dunstan's Saints to the conference title and winning the scoring crown and the MVP award.
Next, he participated in four World Hockey Championships and won bronze at the 1968 Olympic Winter Games as part of the Father David Bauer-led national men鈥檚 hockey program. He then was signed to the Toronto Maple Leafs, scoring 22 goals in his rookie season. He later was on the coaching staff of several NHL teams and then returned home to his beloved PEI to coach the 69传媒Panthers, guiding the men鈥檚 hockey squad to its last conference title in 1990鈥�91.
MacMillan was inducted to the 69传媒Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 along with fellow SDU hockey icons Vince Mulligan and the late Jack Kane Jr. and John 鈥淛ack鈥� Hurry Kane Sr.
