
William (“Bill”, “Red”) Stuart was born in Sackville, New Brunswick, in 1900, before his family moved to Nova Scotia. Stuart was probably the best stickhandler the Maritimes ever sent to the NHL. He played senior hockey for only a year before coaches in the NHL scouted him. He was playing for Springhill in 1919 when he was first noticed, and just a few months later he was using his talents in the NHL with the Toronto St. Pat’s. (He was one of three Nova Scotians on Toronto’s 1922 Stanley Cup winning team.)
When his rights were sold to the Boston Bruins, he quickly became one of the fan favourites there. A high-scoring defenseman, Stuart amassed 30 goals and 17 assists during his years in Toronto and Boston.
In 1927, Bill was traded again — this time to Minneapolis of the American league. He remained there until he retired from professional hockey.
After retiring from hockey as a player, Bill Stuart turned to coaching, becoming one of the best coaches in the Maritime League. He coached the Halifax Wolverines to wins at the Allan Cup and Canadian Amateur Championships in 1935. This qualified the team to represent Canada in the Olympics, but due to a dispute over finances, they were not able to attend.
After leaving the Wolverines Bill went on to Timmins, Ontario where he worked for the International Nickel Company and continued to coach various hockey teams before retiring in 1962. This included coaching the Sudbury Tigers to an Allan Cup in 1937.
Stuart passed away on March 8, 1978.
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• One of the best stick handlers in the maritimes
• Played in the NHL for the Toronto St. Pat’s.
• 1 of 3 NS men on Toronto’s 1922 Stanley cup team
• Followed by playing for the Boston Bruins
• Played for Minneapolis in his last NHL years
• Coached Halifax Wolverines to an Allan Cup 1935
• Coached Sudbury tigers to an Allan Cup, 1937