Bill Lesuk

Last updated
Bill Lesuk
Born (1946-11-01) November 1, 1946 (age 78)
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position Left wing
Shot Left
Played for Boston Bruins
Philadelphia Flyers
Los Angeles Kings
Washington Capitals
Winnipeg Jets
Playing career 19671980

William Anton Lesuk (born November 1, 1946) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, and Winnipeg Jets. He also played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) with Winnipeg. He won the Stanley Cup in 1970 with the Bruins. He was traded along with Serge Bernier and Jim Johnson from the Flyers to the Kings for Ross Lonsberry, Bill Flett, Jean Potvin and Eddie Joyal on January 28, 1972. [1]

Contents

Career

Nicknamed the tractor Lesuk, a junior with Weyburn Red Wings, he had 3 successive years with the red wings including an appearance in the memorial cup. Then the following year in 1966-67 after having a 82 point season in 56 games for the Red wings He was then drafted to the Boston Bruins. Playing for the Bruins affiliate team the Oklahoma City Blazers in 1967-68. He then spent a majority of the year with the Blazers the following year but also made 5 appearances for the Bruins as well during the 1968-69 season. The following year in 1969-70 season he played 70 games with the Hershey Bears but also made a few appearances for the Boston Bruins including 2 playoff games with the Bruins winning the 1970 Stanley cup. He then went on to play 388 total games in the NHL with the Boston Bruins Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles kings and Washington capitals finishing with 44 goals and 63 assists.

In 1975 he joined the Winnipeg Jets of the WHA. Being a decent offensive player but his real value was as a defensive forward. Those Jet teams had great offense, but they needed a shut-down winger like Lesuk. During his time with the team he helped them win the Avco Cup in 1976, 1978 and 1979. He would play one final year in the NHL during the 1979-80 season when the jets joined the league. after retiring, Lesuk was a scout for Boston, Chicago and Winnipeg-Phoenix. He still lives in the Winnipeg area. [2]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1963–64 Weyburn Red Wings SJHL 6212183078842618
1964–65Weyburn Red WingsSJHL5525335873153111428
1965–66Weyburn Red WingsSJHL60364076111186101640
1965–66 Weyburn Red Wings M-Cup 41014
1966–67Weyburn Red WingsSJHL563646826250554
1967–68 Oklahoma City Blazers CHL 671410245373360
1968–69 Boston Bruins NHL 5011010000
1968–69 Oklahoma City BlazersCHL6417304746120448
1969–70 Boston BruinsNHL3000020000
1969–70 Hershey Bears AHL 7020204082754910
1970–71 Philadelphia Flyers NHL781719368141018
1971–72 Philadelphia FlyersNHL45761331
1971–72 Los Angeles Kings NHL274101414
1972–73 Los Angeles KingsNHL676142090
1973–74 Los Angeles KingsNHL352133220004
1974–75 Washington Capitals NHL798111977
1975–76 Winnipeg Jets WHA 8115213692132248
1976–77 Winnipeg JetsWHA78142741851821322
1977–78 Winnipeg JetsWHA809182748925712
1978–79 Winnipeg JetsWHA7917153244101346
1979–80 Winnipeg JetsNHL4901143
1979–80 Tulsa Oilers CHL91230
WHA totals3185581136269507111848
NHL totals3884463107368910112

Awards

References

  1. William Flett (RW) 19711974 Philadelphia Flyers. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  2. "Lesuk, Bill | Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame" . Retrieved 2025-07-22.