Willie Marshall (ice hockey)

Wilmott J. Marshall (December 1, 1930 – June 2, 2023) was a Canadian ice hockey forward. Marshall holds the record for most goals, points, assists, hat tricks, and games played in the American Hockey League (AHL), which he achieved over a 20-season career.

Marshall also played with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League for four seasons between 1953 and 1958.

The Willie Marshall Award, which is awarded to the AHL's leading goal scorer, is named after him.

Hockey career
Marshall made his professional debut with the AHL's Pittsburgh Hornets in 1952–53, recording 66 points in 62 games and leading the team to the Calder Cup Finals.

Marshall was voted a First Team AHL All-Star twice, first in 1955–56 and again in 1957–58, when he won the AHL scoring title with a career-best 104 points in 68 games. He was also selected as a Second Team All-Star in 1961–62.

Marshall won the Calder Cup with Pittsburgh in 1955, and with Hershey in 1958 and 1959. He ranks second in AHL history with 119 career playoff points over 112 postseason games.

Marshall played for the Providence Reds in 1963, then moved to the Baltimore Clippers from 1966–71. He finished his career with the Rochester Americans in 1971–72. He was the league's all-time leader in games played (1,205), goals (523), assists (852), points (1,375) and hat tricks (25).

Marshall had 570 points in 439 games with the Hershey Bears and is sixth on their all-time scoring list. His number 16 was retired by the club.

The American Hockey League presents the Willie Marshall Award annually in honour of the AHL player who scores the most goals that season. Marshall was named to the AHL Hall of Fame in 2006.

Personal life and death
In his later years, Marshall became an avid author who self-published numerous volumes of Christian poetry and several nonfiction works on Christian history, theology, and doctrine. He later lived in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

Marshall died at his home in Lebanon, Pennsylvania on June 2, 2023, at the age of 91.

Awards and honours

 * Calder Cup champion (1955, 1958, 1959)
 * AHL First All-Star Team (1956, 1958)
 * AHL Second All-Star Team (1962)
 * John B. Sollenberger Trophy (1958)
 * AHL Hall of Fame (2006)
 * Hershey Bears Hall of Fame (2012)