Born: 12 Jan 1932, Kirkland Lake ON (d. 2022)
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Regular Season & Playoff Coaching Record (key)
| Regular Season | Playoffs |
| year | team | finish | finish | |||||||||
| 1972-73 | Cleveland | 2-E | SF | |||||||||
| 1973-74 | Cleveland | 3-E | QF | |||||||||
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Needham Doesn't Say Much • by Rich Passan • The Hockey Spectator • October 26, 1973
Bill Needham is not your typical hockey coach. The bench boss of the Crusaders is super quiet, hence his nickname "Silent Sam". He keeps his emotions well buried, He acts the same whether his club wins or loses. He smiles easily, but rarely. "I don't cry at funerals and I don't smile at weddings," the stoical Needham says. He is his own man and gets things done with a minimum of words. When Needham was named coach of the Crusaders a little over a year ago, some eyebrows were raised. After all, this man had only one year's coaching experience — and that was at Toledo of the International Hockey League. He was, of course, a former great defenseman for the Cleveland Barons, but his playing days were behind him. He was a popular man in Cleveland, but popularity goes only so far with Cleveland fans. If a coach or manager does not win, the fans are quick to let him know of their displeasure. Ken Aspromonte of the Cleveland Indians can attest to this. As it turned out, Needham gained new popularity with his 1972-73 edition of the Crusaders, who finished just five points behind the New England Whalers in the East Division race last season. The C's quickly eliminated the Bernie Parent-less Philadelphia Blazers in the first round of the World Cup playoffs but fell to the Whalers in five bitterly-fought games. Needham was rewarded for his efforts with a new contract and with it has appeared a changed man. At times last season, Needham appeared uptight in his dealings with the media. He still is to a certain extent, but he has learned to relax a great deal more. His smiles are more frequent now, perhaps because he has proven to himself and his critics he can be a successful professional hockey coach. The Crusaders — and Needham — have a tough act to follow this season and the pressure is definitely on. If it is, Needham doesn’t show it. "This is a good club and will get better as the season progresses," he says matter-of-factly. "They know what they have to do and it's up to me to remind them when they forget." Needham received a few votes for Coach of the Year in the WHA last season and, depending on where his club finishes this season, will receive some more when the balloting is held next April. Something to bear in mind is that the Crusaders were a very close group of men last season. They led the league in camaraderie. This is very important to a winning team. And it is also a reflection on he coach. Bill Needham need to longer prove his worth as a coach. He has made it — and made it big. |
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Excerpts from Zander Hollander's Guide to Pro Hockey, 1973-74 (by Reyn Davis & Charley Hallman)
A familiar face in Cleveland, having come out of the famous Baron coaching school along with Emile Francis, Glen Sonmor, Jack Gordon, Fred Glover, John McClelland and Fred Shero ... Needham played sixteen seasons for the Barons ... Coached Toledo of the International League in 1971-72 ... Not signed originally as the Crusader coach, Needham sort of fell into the job ... Won the Eddie Shore award as top AHL defenseman in 1967-68 ... Best offensive year was in 1966-67 when he had five goals and 33 assists. |
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