Tom Williams (ice hockey, born 1940)

Not to be confused with Tom Williams (ice hockey b. 1951).

For other people named Tom Williams, see Tom Williams (disambiguation).

Thomas Mark "Tommy, The Bomber" Williams (April 17, 1940 – February 8, 1992) was an American professional ice hockey player. A good skater and shooter, he received his nickname due to an incident in the early 1970s when he joked with Toronto customs officials that his bag contained a bomb (he was suspended for one game by the NHL as punishment). During most of the 1960s, Williams was the only regular American player in the NHL.

Tom Williams
Born	(1940-04-17)April 17, 1940 Duluth, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	February 8, 1992(1992-02-08) (aged 51) Hudson, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position	Right Wing
Played for	Boston Bruins Minnesota North Stars California Golden Seals New England Whalers Washington Capitals
National team	United States
Playing career	1960–1976
Medal record Men's ice hockey Representing the United States 1960 Squaw Valley Ice hockey

Amateur career

Born in Duluth, Minnesota, Williams was a member of the U.S. Olympic hockey team that defeated Czechoslovakia and won the gold medal at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley. He scored one goal and had four assists while playing on the second line with Bill Christian and Roger Christian.

Professional career

His National Hockey League career began when he joined the Boston Bruins for the 1961–62 NHL season. After eight seasons with the Bruins (and a serious injury in 1968 that almost ended his career) he joined the Minnesota North Stars, where he played for a season and a half until he was traded to the California Golden Seals.

After just two seasons with the Golden Seals, Williams jumped to the World Hockey Association (WHA) to play for the New England Whalers. Upon his return to the NHL he joined the new expansion team Washington Capitals, led the team in scoring (22 goals, 36 assists) and was awarded the franchise's first penalty shot on December 5, 1974, against the Buffalo Sabres. He retired during the 1975–76 NHL season.

He and younger brother Butch Williams were the first American brothers to play in the NHL.

Post-career

In 1981, Williams was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.

He made an appearance on the American gameshow I've Got a Secret, in which his secret was (at the time, in early 1966) that he was the only American-born player in major professional hockey.

Personal life

Williams' life was marred by personal tragedies that also had a negative impact on his playing career. In November 1970 his wife was found dead in a car; it was never determined for certain whether her death was due to accident or suicide. Normally a happy-go-lucky free spirit, he became moody and fought with North Stars manager Jack Gordon, who suspended him before trading him to the Seals. After he had retired from hockey, remarried and found a new career, his 23-year-old son Bobby Williams (a Boston Bruins prospect) died in 1987. Williams himself died of a heart attack in Hudson, Massachusetts on February 8, 1992, at the age of 51.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1957–58	Central High School	HS-MN		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1958–59	United States National Team	Intl		50	21	12	33	22		—	—	—	—	—
1959–60	United States National Team	Intl		—	21	17	38	0		—	—	—	—	—
1960–61	Kingston Frontenacs	EPHL		51	16	26	42	18		5	0	2	2	0
1961–62	Boston Bruins	NHL		26	6	6	12	2		—	—	—	—	—
1961–62	Kingston Frontenacs	EPHL		36	10	18	28	35		—	—	—	—	—
1962–63	Boston Bruins	NHL		69	23	20	43	11		—	—	—	—	—
1963–64	Boston Bruins	NHL		37	8	15	23	8		—	—	—	—	—
1964–65	Boston Bruins	NHL		65	13	21	34	28		—	—	—	—	—
1965–66	Boston Bruins	NHL		70	16	22	38	31		—	—	—	—	—
1966–67	Boston Bruins	NHL		29	8	13	21	2		—	—	—	—	—
1967–68	Boston Bruins	NHL		68	18	32	50	14		4	1	0	1	2
1968–69	Boston Bruins	NHL		26	4	7	11	19		—	—	—	—	—
1969–70	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		75	15	52	67	18		6	1	5	6	0
1970–71	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		41	10	13	23	16		—	—	—	—	—
1970–71	California Golden Seals	NHL		18	7	10	17	8		—	—	—	—	—
1971–72	California Golden Seals	NHL		33	3	9	12	2		—	—	—	—	—
1971–72	Boston Braves	AHL		31	8	15	23	8		9	2	6	8	6
1972–73	New England Whalers	WHA		69	10	21	31	14		15	6	11	17	2
1973–74	New England Whalers	WHA		70	21	37	58	6		4	0	3	3	10
1974–75	Washington Capitals	NHL		73	22	36	58	12		—	—	—	—	—
1975–76	Washington Capitals	NHL		34	8	13	21	6		—	—	—	—	—
1975–76	New Haven Nighthawks	AHL		20	4	16	20	4		3	0	1	1	0
WHA totals				139	31	58	89	20		19	6	14	20	12
NHL totals				663	161	269	430	177		10	2	5	7	2

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1959	United States	WC			7	2	9
1960	United States	OG		7	4	6	10	2

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
• ESPN Classic - The First Miracle On Ice