Billy Taylor

William James Taylor (May 3, 1919 – June 12, 1990) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1939 to 1948.

Taylor began his NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1939–40. He played in Toronto for five seasons, and won the Stanley Cup in 1942 before being traded to the Detroit Red Wings for Harry Watson at the start of the 1946–47 season. While in Detroit, he set an NHL record for most assists in one game (7) against the Chicago Black Hawks. Wayne Gretzky has since matched that record. After only one season in Motown, he was dealt to the Boston Bruins for his last NHL season, 1947–48. That last season saw him play 39 games for the Bruins and two games for the Rangers. His career was cut short when Clarence Campbell expelled him and Don Gallinger for gambling violations similar to the Black Sox scandal in baseball. The suspension was lifted in 1970.

Taylor was finally reinstated by the NHL in 1970. In 323 career regular season games, he scored 87 goals and 267 points. His son, also named Billy Taylor, also played professional hockey.