William James Riley (born September 20, 1950 in Amherst, Nova Scotia) is a retired Canadian ice hockey player, and was the third black player in the National Hockey League.
Riley was given a tryout with the Washington Capitals during their inaugural season and actually played in one game, but he spent most of his time in the minors, primarily with the Dayton Gems. It was during this time that he played under future Capitals' coach Tom McVie. He would eventually be signed as a free agent by the Capitals during the 1976–77 NHL season and would play for the Capitals in parts of the next three seasons.
Riley was claimed by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft, but only played in 14 games before he was sent to the minors, where he played until he retired following the 1983–84 season.
Riley was player-coach and captain of the St. John's Caps located in Newfoundland for a number of years during the late 1980s.
After retiring from professional play, Riley moved into coaching. He was the Head Coach, General Manager and Director Of Player Personnel of the Miramichi Timberwolves of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League. He also served as Head Coach of the Moncton Wildcats during the 1996–97 season, finishing with a 16–52–2.
Famous quotes containing the words bill and/or riley:
“He showed me his bill of fare to tempt me to dine with him; said I, I value not your bill of fare, give me your bill of company.”
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745)
“the ache here in the throat,
To know that I so ill deserve the place
Her arms make for me;”
—James Whitcomb Riley (1849–1916)