29 Facts About Bill LaForge

Bill LaForge was known for his controversial coaching style, intimidation tactics, on-ice brawls, suspensions and fines.

Bill LaForge died June 19,2005, after an apparent heart attack.

Bill LaForge was related to Patrick Bill LaForge, the former president of the Edmonton Oilers.

Bill LaForge played hockey and football at Archbishop MacDonald High School.

Bill LaForge later played for the Edmonton Huskies, and attended training camp for the Calgary Stampeders in 1974, but did not pass the physical due to an injury sustained working at a construction site.

Bill LaForge began coaching hockey as the recreational director of the Enoch Cree Nation.

Bill LaForge used his football background in teaching his teams to be a physical club, and stressed team first, instead of the name on the back of the jersey.

Bill LaForge's coaching mantra was a PhD in hockey: pride, hustle and desire.

Bill LaForge used unorthodox coaching methods, punishing emphasis on physical play, and humiliating practices.

Bill LaForge used intimidation tactics such as staring down opposing teams during warm-ups, and had a stoplight installed in his team's dressing room in Hamilton.

Bill LaForge insisted on players attending school, and keeping an active mind.

Bill LaForge had this rough and gruff image, but he was actually very kind at heart.

Bill LaForge led the Generals to fourth place in the Leyden division, and a playoff berth.

Bill LaForge led the Generals into the best-of-seven quarterfinals against the Sault Ste.

Bill LaForge was suspended three times during the season as a result.

Bill LaForge took over a team that won only 18 games the previous season.

Bill LaForge's team led the west division with 1937 penalty minutes.

Bill LaForge was 32 years old when hired to coach in the National Hockey League.

Bill LaForge took over an under achieving team and built the into a physical presence.

The Steelhawks were fined $2,000 and Bill LaForge was suspended for the balance of the season, including the playoffs.

Ten different players on Bill LaForge's team had at least 100 penalty minutes.

Bill LaForge led the Thunder to a second-place finish in the Emms division, and led the league with 2280 penalty minutes.

Bill LaForge's team led league with 410 goals, including the league's top two scorers in Bryan Fogarty and Stan Drulia, and an additional seven players with at least 20 goals.

Bill LaForge's aggressive coaching style was blamed for costing the Thunder a chance at the Memorial Cup, as they had been one of the top ranked team in the league all season with high expectations going into the finals.

Twenty games into the season Bill LaForge's team had a record of 4 wins, 14 losses and 2 ties.

Bill LaForge was hired by Tri-City Americans owner Ron Dixon on December 17,1989 as director of player personnel.

Bill LaForge was hired to replace interim head coach and general manager, Mike Kelly.

Bill LaForge took over the final eleven games for player-head coach Iain Duncan, winning two and losing nine games to finish the season.

Bill LaForge's coaching career finished with fisticuffs, including a brawl in the second last game, and six fights in the final game of the season.