MacMillan, 1st coach in Devils history, dies at 80

Billy MacMillan, the first coach in New Jersey Devils history and a former NHL forward, died at the age of 80, the New York Islanders announced Saturday.

After winning the Stanley Cup with the Islanders as an assistant coach in 1980, MacMillan was hired as coach of the Colorado Rockies, going 22-45 with 13 ties in 1980-81. Following the season, he was promoted to general manager, with Bert Marshall becoming coach.

However, MacMillan took over as coach again when the franchise relocated to New Jersey for the 1982-83 season. That season, the Devils (17-49 with 14 ties) finished fifth in the Patrick Division, and after beginning the 1983-84 season 2-18, MacMillan was fired as coach and GM.

A member of Canada's bronze medal-winning team at the 1968 Grenoble Olympics, MacMillan went undrafted and didn't reach the NHL until the age of 27. As a rookie with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1970-71, he had what would be his best NHL season, scoring 22 goals and finishing with 41 points in 76 games.

Billy MacMillan with 1960-61 Memorial Cup-champion Toronto St. Michaels major-junior team; goalie Eddie Johnston #1 looks at Bobby Orr #4 of the Bruins who is dealing with Billy MacMillan #23 of the Maple Leafs on April 3, 1971, at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Credit: Turofsky; Graphic Artists/Hockey Hall of Fame

After two seasons with Toronto, MacMillan was selected by the Atlanta Flames in the 1972 NHL Expansion Draft. He had 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 78 games for the Atlanta in its inaugural season in 1972-73 before being traded to New York, where he had 68 points (32 goals, 36 assists) in 231 games over four seasons from 1973-77.

MacMillan then became a player/coach for the Islanders' top minor-league team, the Fort Worth Texans, winning the Central Hockey League championship in 1978, when he was named the league's coach of the year.

"Many of the Islanders I knew through the years of training camp even if they didn't stick," MacMillan told the Islanders website in 2022. "It was a welcome move for me and that turned out to be my most enjoyable season to that date until the Stanley Cup."

MacMillan joined Al Arbour's coaching staff with the Islanders prior to the 1979-80 season, helping them win the first of four straight Stanley Cup championships.

Following his time in the NHL, MacMillan led Prince Edward Island University to the AUAA title in 1990-91. He was inducted into the Prince Edward Island Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.

Top photo: Billy MacMillan with Islanders vs. Blues / Credit: Hockey Hall of Fame