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Former Maple Leafs C Harris dies
Updated: Thursday September 20, 2001 6:44 PM
TORONTO (AP) -- Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bill Harris died early Thursday of leukemia. He was 66. Harris was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago with a rare form of leukemia, the Toronto Sun said. The center spent 13 seasons in the NHL, playing 769 games with Toronto, the Detroit Red Wings, Oakland Golden Seals and Pittsburgh Penguins. He had 126 goals and 219 assists, with 205 penalty minutes, and won three Stanley Cups with Toronto. Harris, nicknamed Hinky by his uncle Grant Guest and still called that by his 84-year-old mother Grace, brother Doug and sister Barbara, was a star with junior hockey's Toronto Marlboros before he embarked on a 13-year professional hockey career with the Leafs in 1955-56, and later with the Detroit Red Wings, Oakland Seals and Pittsburgh Penguins. Harris was a classy individual who in his younger years gave his all for the benefit of the team he represented, but that was particularly true with the Leafs. He had, as they say, a maple leaf tattooed on his behind, exemplified by the fact that he was a member of the team for 10 years and sipped Stanley Cup champagne with his teammates in 1962, 1963 and 1964. Despite playing with different teams, Harris later told friends that he never adjusted to wearing other jerseys. "I always admired guys who can change with the color of their sweaters," Harris used to say. "However, I never felt comfortable wearing one that wasn't blue and white." Harris played in 769 regular-season and 62 playoff games, getting 134 goals and 229 assists. Harris turned to coaching in 1969, which would include terms with the Canadian national team, the Toronto Toros of the World Hockey Association, the Sudbury Wolves juniors and Laurentian University, where he also taught physical education. He also served with the Edmonton Oilers as assistant coach and coached the Swedish national team. He proved to be an international hockey expert and prognosticator. It was just before the memorable Canada-Soviet Union Super Series in 1972 when Harris talked about the possible outcome of the clash. Most of the so-called experts in Canada predicted that the NHL stars would annihilate the Soviets. Not Billy Harris, though. "Don't underestimate the Soviets," he said. "They are a much better hockey team than many people in North America would think. When I coached in Sweden, our teams played against them. They are excellent hockey players. "If you ask me, our Team Canada will have its hands full. If we win -- and I'm saying if -- it will be a very close affair. Remember my words once the series starts." Harris' problems with leukemia began about six years ago and in the process, he had to undergo chemotherapy. When the disease went into remission, he opted to work on behalf of the Leukemia Research Fund of Canada. He helped organize the Lean On Me charity golf tournament a couple of years ago, with several Leafs participating. "You have no idea how honored I feel to help," Harris said at that time to my colleague Jerry Gladman. "Without leukemia research, I probably wouldn't be alive now. So, I'll go anywhere to help out." He is survived by his companion of six years, Tonie Simpson, and children Wendy, Billy Jr., Patti and Bob. SLAM! Sports contributed to this report. 
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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