Gilles Bilodeau

Joseph Gilles Bilodeau (July 31, 1955—August 12, 2008) was a professional ice hockey player who played 9 games in the National Hockey League and 143 games in the World Hockey Association. He played for the Toronto Toros, Birmingham Bulls, and Quebec Nordiques. Bilodeau was nicknamed "Bad News", due to a physically aggressive style of play.[1]

Gilles Bilodeau
Born (1955-07-31)July 31, 1955
Saint-Prime, Quebec
Died August 12, 2008(2008-08-12) (aged 53)
Birmingham, Alabama
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shot Left
Played for Quebec Nordiques
Birmingham Bulls
NHL Draft Undrafted
WHA Draft 121st overall, 1975
Toronto Toros
Playing career 1975–1984

Born in Saint-Prime, Quebec, Bilodeau played junior hockey for the Sorel Black Hawks. In 1975, the Toros selected him No. 122 overall in the amateur league draft. He made his pro debut with the minor league Beauce Jaros. In his first pro season, Bilodeau led the NAHL in penalty minutes, accumulating 451 minutes in just 58 games during the 1975-76 season. The eight goals and 17 assists he recorded were the highest season totals of his career.

Finishing off the 1975-76 season with the Toros, he played 14 games in spot duty accumulating 1 assist and 38 penalty minutes. Next year the Toros transferred to Birmingham to become the Bulls. During the 1976-77 season, Bilodeau split his time with the Birmingham Bulls and the Charlotte Checkers of the SHL. With Birmingham he played 34 games while scoring 2 goals and 6 assists and picking up 133 penalty minutes. In Charlotte, he had 3 goals, 6 assists and 242 penalty minutes during 28 games. He would finish the 1977-78 season with 258 penalty minutes with the Bulls.

The Quebec Nordiques signed him as a free agent in 1978. The following season, the Nordiques were among the four WHA teams absorbed into the NHL. Bilodeau skated in nine NHL games, gaining a single assist and recording just 25 penalty minutes. He played the 1980-81 season for the Richmond Rifles of the EHL before settling in Birmingham. He played to 2 games for the Birmingham Bulls of the ACHL during the 1983-84 season before retiring.

He died on Aug. 12, 2008, in Birmingham, Alabama.

References
  1. Surgent, Scott (2013). The Complete World Hockey Association, 9e. Tempe, Arizona. p. 320. ISBN 978-1-490967400.
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