Height: 5-11
Weight: 185
Shoot: L
Born: 20 Jun 1953, Hornepayne ON
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Regular Season & Playoff Scoring Record (key)
| year | team | |||||||||||
| 1973-74 | Minnesota | |||||||||||
| 1974-75 | Mich.-Balt. | |||||||||||
| 1975-76 | San Diego | |||||||||||
| Denver-Ottawa | ||||||||||||
| Totals (2 teams) | ||||||||||||
| Totals: |
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WHA Roundup • by Reyn Davis • The Sporting News • December 20, 1975
Bill Goldthorpe has bounced around from team to team for the past two seasons, but every time he joins another, it's hailed as a great event with long-term possibilities. Goldie's problem is that he occasionally winds up trying to intimidate teammates in practice rather than opponents during games. This fall he made the San Diego Mariners look a little meaner in his reddish-blond Afro. Then he wore out his welcome one night by intercepting an order of Chinese food destined for some older statesmen on the team, led by defenseman Bob Wall. When they discovered that Goldie had snitched their egg foo yung and chop suey, they look malters — and Goldie — into their own hands. Shortly thereafter, Goldthorpe was leaving the team on his way down to the minors when the Denver Spurs called, asking specifically about Goldie. So they swapped lefl wingers: Gary Bredin to San Diego for Goldthorpe. And so began another interesting chapter in the Bill Goldthorpe saga. |
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Talbot Welcomes Spirited Play — Goldthorpe Instant Hit With Spurs • by Fred Pietila • The Rocky Mountain News • December 5, 1975
The long locks of curly blond hair, in the form of an Afro, are natural, he says. The well-structured torso and muscular arms are that way because of karate, he says. And, the attitude — one which has resulted in problems, both on and off the ice — is improving, he says. The he is explosive Bill Goldthorpe, most recent addition to the Denver Spurs of the World Hockey Association. Goldthorpe capped his debut as a Spur in perhaps typical fashion for him Tuesday night when he climbed out of the penalty box in an effort to get at a Winnipeg adversary with whom he'd just fought. His action cost him a 10-minute misconduct and a $100 fine. Goldthorpe, because of the imposing blond Afro, is easy to recognize on the ice and off it. Is it bleached? "No, it's just from the sun," he replies. "In the summertime, my hair's pretty white." Goldthorpe is a 22-year-old native of Thunder Bay, Ont., who first played junior hockey with a team named the Vulcans which was captained by former University of Denver All-American Vic Venasky. He broke into professional hockey with Syracuse of the North American Hockey League during the 1973-74 season. He was an instant hit, scoring 20 goals and 46 points and picking up 285 penalty minutes in just 55 games. "I was rookie of the year," he recalls proudly. "I studied karate for two years," Goldthorpe explains. "This summer I was in seven tournaments and won first place in one in New Jersey." Possessor of a brown belt in the sport, Goldthorpe says that karate "really helps the reflexes and stretches. I got more toned and a lot stronger. It not only helped (physically), but it was good for my attitude." Goldthorpe's attitude and behavior have created problems in the past. "Some of the trouble I did get into I wasn't all at fault," he says. "It's in the past and that's it." Denver Spur coach Jean Guy Talbot, unlike some other managerial types, was willing to take a chance on Goldthorpe, despite the reputation, when he acquired him from San Diego for Gary Bredin last week. Goldthorpe's hitting and spirited play is what Talbot expected and is what he's getting. In three games with the Spurs, the 5-10, 173-pound Goldthorpe has been in three fights and drawn 27 minutes in penalties. "l'm gonna play the body," Goldthorpe says of his style. "If I get a chance to hit somebody, I'll hit 'em and if I have to fight, I'll fight. But I ain't gonna go looking for 'em, though." Goldthorpe was disappointed to get traded, "but now that I'm here I like it. I'm not a goal-scorer, but I might help 'em on a checking line," Goldthorpe admits of his expectations and role with the Spurs. "My biggest ambition right now is to get married and settle down. I've already settled down some," Goldthorpe concludes. Talbot, for one, hopes he doesn't settle down — at least on the ice — because that's why Goldthorpe is with the Spurs. |
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Splintered Spurs Hit Road for Two Games (excerpt) • by Fred Pietila • The Rocky Mountain News • December 26, 1975
Bill Goldthorpe, the spirited and tempestuous left winger acquired in a trade with San Diego for Gary Bredin, hasn't played in the the Spurs' last two games. A player in that position is sometimes referred to as one gathering or collecting splinters (from the bench). But Goldthorpe seldom sits down during a game and is constantly chattering and harassing opponents — and occasionally, teammates. Goldthorpe, who has a stormy past and a stormy present, was acquired to inject spirit and muscle into the Spurs' attack. The 22-year-old Goldthorpe is colorful, no doubt, but coach Jean Guy Talbot wants to spot him and didn't feel the game against the Saints presented the right situation. Minnesota is one of the most aggressive clubs in all of pro hockey and it's been learned through the years that you don't try to beat a team at its own game. Talbot has used the 185 pound Goldthorpe considerably on the road and will probably do so again this weekend against Houston and Phoenix, two more physical hockey teams. |
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