Bill Baker (ice hockey)

William Robert (Bill) Baker (born November 29, 1956 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota) is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played 143 regular season games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers between 1980 and 1983.

Playing career

College career

Bill Baker attended the University of Minnesota and was originally selected 54th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1976 NHL Entry Draft. Baker is best known for being a member of the Miracle On Ice 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team that won the Gold Medal in Lake Placid, NY. Specifically, he is forever remembered for scoring the tying goal as the extra skater forcing a 2–2 tie with Sweden in the opening game. This tie allowed the team to eventually advance to the medal round.

Professional career

He joined the Canadiens after the Olympics, and was later traded to the Colorado Rockies in 1981. He also played for Team USA at the 1981 Ice Hockey World Championship and 1981 Canada Cup tournaments. Colorado later traded him to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Joe Micheletti and Dick Lamby. Baker spent the full 1982–83 season with the New York Rangers before retiring from pro hockey.

Post career

Baker currently resides in Brainerd, Minnesota where he works as an oral surgeon and maxillofacial specialist.

Awards & Achievements

* WCHA All-Star First Team: 1978–79 (Minnesota)
* NCAA West All-America First Team: 1978–79 (Minnesota)

International Play

* 1980 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid, NY
* Ice Hockey World Championships, 1979 and 1981
* 1981 Canada Cup

Trivia

Baker's jersey from the famed "Miracle On Ice" is on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., U.S. along with a stick autographed by all the members of the team.

References

* [http://www.hockeydraftcentral.com/1976/76054.html Baker's bio at hockeydraftcentral]
* [http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11903 Baker's bio at legends of hockey]