Bill Inglis

Bill Inglis was an undersized checking forward. Standing just 5'9" and 165lbs, Inglis was known for relentless back checking and forechecking.

The native of Ottawa, Inglis was buried deep in the Montreal Canadiens development system before expansion brought about his dream of playing in the NHL.

In the 1967 expansion draft, the Los Angeles Kings claimed Inglis from the Habs' organization. He played briefly with the Kings, including as a regular during the 1969 playoffs, but continued to be a minor league regular with Springfield of the AHL. 

In 1970 the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks joined the league as expansion franchises. The Sabres claimed Inglis for their team. He would continue to play in the minor leagues, but did dress for 14 games with the Sabres that first season.

Those games proved to be Inglis' final as a NHL player, but he continued a lengthy minor league career. His best season came in 1972-73 with the Sabres top affiliate in Cincinnati. Inglis was name as the AHL MVP and scored 40 goals.

Inglis retired as a player in 1978 and the Sabres hired him as a scout. However it was not long before Inglis returned to the NHL. On December 6, 1979, Inglis replaced the fired Marcel Pronovost as the head coach Sabres. The appointment initially carried an interim tag but when the Sabres responded with an inspiring 28-18-10 record.

Typical of Ignlis' career, he did not get the respect he deserved. Despite the good job, Ignlis was removed as head coach in the off season when the Sabres lured coaching legend Scotty Bowman from the Montreal Canadiens as coach and general manager.