Bill Speer

Francis William "Bill" Speer (March 20, 1942 – February 12, 1989) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player.

Career
Speer played 135 games in the World Hockey Association and 130 games in the National Hockey League. Born in Lindsay, Ontario, he played for the Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Raiders, New York Golden Blades, and Jersey Knights. Speer was known as a solid, shot-blocking defenseman throughout his career.

Speer was known for his weight issues during his hockey career. Although generally listed as 5' 11" and 200 pounds throughout his career, his regularly played closer to 210 pounds and even weighed as much as 242 pounds during the 1966-67 offseason. Speer was able to lose most of the weight, dropping down to 210 for the opening of Penguins' training camp and even dropping as low as 206.

During his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he was also the designated team barber, setting up a makeshift barbershop in the wash room of the Penguins' dressing room in the Civic Arena. Speer became a barber at the age of 15 and took over his father's shop in 1967 after his father died. Although he never mentioned a specific fee for the haircuts, Speer did say that a 25 cent tip was standard. Speer earned the nickname "The Lindsay Clipper" during his time with the Bruins. After his playing days were over, some of his former teammates would visit the shop from time to time.

Speer won the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 1970.

Death
Speer died on February 12, 1989 while riding his snowmobile on a lake in Fenelon Falls, Ontario. The snowmobile plunged through the thin ice and Speer drowned. He was 46 years old.

Speer is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Lindsay, Ontario.

References

External links

 

Category:1942 births
Category:1989 deaths
Category:Baltimore Clippers players
Category:Boston Bruins players
Category:Canadian ice hockey defencemen
Category:Ice hockey people from Ontario
Category:Jersey Knights players
Category:New York Golden Blades players
Category:New York Raiders players
Category:Pittsburgh Penguins players
Category:Stanley Cup champions
Category:Sportspeople from Kawartha Lakes