“During his time in Washington, Bill exemplified leadership, professionalism, and dedication on and off the ice. He carried himself with integrity and pride, leaving a lasting impact on his teammates, the organization and the broader hockey community.”
Riley had success in the minor leagues and in Canadian junior hockey. He had 304 points (147 goals, 157 assists) in 391 American Hockey League games with Hershey, Moncton, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia from 1978-79 to 1983-84.
He was captain of New Brunswick when it won the AHL Calder Cup in 1982 and was fifth on the team with 62 points (32 goals, 30 assists) in 80 regular-season games.
Riley once told his granddaughter, former Canadian college hockey player Kryshanda Green, that, “Pop-Pop was in his 30s when Steve Larmer and Steve Ludzik all those guys came in as 19-year-olds, played for (New Brunswick) in the American Hockey League and looked up to me in the highest kind of way because of the leadership skills I displayed for them.”
Riley became coach and general manager of the Moncton Wildcats in their inaugural QMJHL season in 1996-97. The following season he hired Jean, then a 26-year-old former Canadian college goalie, as goalie coach to replace Roland Melanson, who joined the Montreal Canadiens organization.
Jean, a two-time Stanley Cup winner during his 16 seasons with the Lightning, is one of the few Black coaches in the NHL today.
“If I don’t get that opportunity, I don’t know if I am where I am today,” Jean said. “Bill knew me. He didn’t flinch. I’m a year out of college, coached a little bit of midget AAA. But he had enough faith in me and enough trust in who I am, and I always respected him for that. I’m a big believer in mentorship, and Bill was a fantastic mentor.”
Riley’s legacy is part of a permanent display at Capital One Arena that honors the 11 Black players who played for Washington before rookie forward Justin Sourdif’s arrival this season.
He was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 1998. Green wore No. 8 to honor her grandfather when she played hockey with Ryerson College, now called Toronto Metropolitan University.
“Whoever played with Bill and was around him enjoyed him,” Jean said. “He’s won some championships, you know, it’s not by accident. He was captain of teams, and not by accident. Because he was a leader of men.”
