Position Defense Role Ice hockey player Career end 1984 Name Bill Baker Career start 1979 | National team United States Weight 87 kg Shot Left Height 1.85 m | |
 | ||
Born November 29, 1956 (age 67)
Grand Rapids, MN, USA ( 1956-11-29 ) Played for Montreal Canadiens
Colorado Rockies
St. Louis Blues
New York Rangers NHL Draft 54th overall, 1976
Montreal Canadiens WHA Draft 49th overall, 1973
New England Whalers Similar People Steve Christoff, Buzz Schneider, Mark Pavelich, Dave Christian, Phil Verchota | ||
Education University of Minnesota | ||
William Robert Baker (born November 29, 1956 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota) is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played 143 regular season games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers between 1980 and 1983.
Contents
- College career
- Professional career
- Post career
- Awards and achievements
- International play
- In popular culture
- References
College career
Bill Baker attended the University of Minnesota and was team captain for the 1978-1979 season. He was originally selected 54th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1976 NHL Entry Draft. Baker is best known for being a member of the Miracle on Ice 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team that won the Gold Medal in Lake Placid, NY. Specifically, he is known for scoring the tying goal as the extra skater in the final minute forcing a 2–2 tie with Sweden in the opening game. This tie allowed the team to eventually advance to the medal round. Baker's jersey from the famed "Miracle On Ice" is on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., U.S. along with a stick autographed by all the members of the team.
Professional career
He joined the Canadiens after the Olympics, and was later traded to the Colorado Rockies in 1981. He also played for Team USA at the 1981 Ice Hockey World Championship and 1981 Canada Cup tournaments. Colorado later traded him to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Joe Micheletti and Dick Lamby. Baker spent the full 1982–83 season with the New York Rangers. He spent the 1983-84 season in the CHL playing for the eventual league championships, the Tulsa Oilers coached by Tom Webster. He played 59 regular season games for Tulsa Oilers, but was not with team during post-season.
Post career
Baker currently resides in Brainerd, Minnesota where he worked as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon until he retired in 2015.
Awards and achievements
International play
In popular culture
In a 1981 TV movie about the gold medal-winning hockey team entitled Miracle on Ice, Baker is played by David Wallace.
In the 2004 Disney film Miracle, he is portrayed by Nick Postle.