Bill Plager
Born in Kirkland Lake, Bill moved to Peterborough in 1962 to play for the TPT Peterborough Petes. He played the 1963-64 season with the Lachine Maroons of the MMJHL, recording 41 points in 40 games before returning to the Petes for the 1964-65 and 65-66 seasons. Bill turned pro with the CPHL Houston Apollos in 66-67 and played with the Memphis South Stars in 1967-68. From 1967 to 1977 Bill’s career took him back and forth from the CHL, AHL to the NHL with Minnesota North Stars, St. Louis Blues and Atlanta Flames. He played a total of 294 NHL games. He was a member of the 68-69 St. Louis Blues Western Division champions and Stanley Cup finalists. Bill and his brothers Barclay and Bob played four seasons together with the St. Louis Blues. He was a member of the St. Louis Blues Alumni. During his pro career Bill was named “Best Defenceman” and “Player of the Year” for the New Haven Nighthawks in 73-74 and selected to the AHL Second All-Star team in 1975. Bill Plager was inducted into Hockey Heritage North Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Missouri Sport Hall in 2014. Married to a Peterborough native, Bill established the city as his home in the off season. After retirement, he returned to Peterborough and a job at the Quaker Oats Company. Bill then gave back to the community in so many ways. He played Old Timers Hockey, horseshoes and softball. He coached minor Bantam Petes to the OMHA Championship in 89-90; the Pee-Wee AAA Petes to a first-place league finish in 1991-92 and Eastern Ontario Championship. He also coached the Peterborough Junior Bees, Pembroke Lumber Kings Jr A., Lakefield Chiefs, St. Andrew’s Hockey School and PGHA Ice Kats Atom B/C girls’ hockey. He was recognized by the PHL for his dedication to minor hockey in Peterborough. Bill Plager was held in high regard by all who knew him as a player, coach and friend.
Year Inducted:
2025
Status:
Deceased
Born in Kirkland Lake, Bill moved to Peterborough in 1962 to play for the TPT Peterborough Petes. He played the 1963-64 season with the Lachine Maroons of the MMJHL, recording 41 points in 40 games before returning to the Petes for the 1964-65 and 65-66 seasons. Bill turned pro with the CPHL Houston Apollos in 66-67 and played with the Memphis South Stars in 1967-68. From 1967 to 1977 Bill’s career took him back and forth from the CHL, AHL to the NHL with Minnesota North Stars, St. Louis Blues and Atlanta Flames. He played a total of 294 NHL games. He was a member of the 68-69 St. Louis Blues Western Division champions and Stanley Cup finalists. Bill and his brothers Barclay and Bob played four seasons together with the St. Louis Blues. He was a member of the St. Louis Blues Alumni. During his pro career Bill was named “Best Defenceman” and “Player of the Year” for the New Haven Nighthawks in 73-74 and selected to the AHL Second All-Star team in 1975. Bill Plager was inducted into Hockey Heritage North Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Missouri Sport Hall in 2014. Married to a Peterborough native, Bill established the city as his home in the off season. After retirement, he returned to Peterborough and a job at the Quaker Oats Company. Bill then gave back to the community in so many ways. He played Old Timers Hockey, horseshoes and softball. He coached minor Bantam Petes to the OMHA Championship in 89-90; the Pee-Wee AAA Petes to a first-place league finish in 1991-92 and Eastern Ontario Championship. He also coached the Peterborough Junior Bees, Pembroke Lumber Kings Jr A., Lakefield Chiefs, St. Andrew’s Hockey School and PGHA Ice Kats Atom B/C girls’ hockey. He was recognized by the PHL for his dedication to minor hockey in Peterborough. Bill Plager was held in high regard by all who knew him as a player, coach and friend.