Bill Mikkelson
Holds NHL record for worst single-season plus/minus.
Bill Mikkelson, a Canadian defenceman, played in the NHL for six seasons starting in 1971. He holds the league record for the worst single-season plus/minus rating, a -82 while with the 1974–75 Washington Capitals.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Defence
- Played for
- Los Angeles Kings
- New York Islanders
- Washington Capitals
- Shoots
- Left
- Born
- 21 May 1948
- Birthplace
- Neepawa, Manitoba, Canada
- Draft
- Undrafted
Facts from the source article.
Playing career
Bill Mikkelson, born in Neepawa, Manitoba, started his junior career with the Brandon Wheat Kings and Winnipeg Jets before signing as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings in 1970. After two seasons in the minors within the Kings' system, he got a brief 15-game call-up to the NHL in 1971–72. The Kings left him unprotected in the 1972 NHL Expansion Draft, and the New York Islanders picked him up. During the Islanders' first season in 1972–73, Mikkelson became one of their top defensemen in terms of ice time, recording 1 goal and 10 assists for 11 points over 72 games. He also posted a plus/minus of -54, which at the time was the third-worst mark since the NHL started tracking the stat in 1967. The following season, rookies Denis Potvin and Dave Lewis took his spot, and Mikkelson spent the entire 1973–74 campaign in the American Hockey League with the Baltimore Clippers. He was again left exposed in the 1974 NHL Expansion Draft and was claimed by the Washington Capitals. His first year with the expansion Capitals mirrored his time with the Islanders: he led the defense in ice time on a weak team. Though he was sent to the minors late in the season and played only 59 games, he finished with an NHL-record plus/minus of -82. That mark still stands more than four decades later, with no player coming within 13 points of it since. Mikkelson spent the next two seasons mostly in the minors, appearing in just one more NHL game for the Capitals in 1976–77. He retired in 1977 after finishing his Capitals contract playing for Mannheim in Germany. In total, he played 147 NHL games, scoring 4 goals and 18 assists for 22 points, with 105 penalty minutes.
Family
Bill Mikkelson hails from a Manitoba family with deep roots in hockey. His uncle, Jim McFadden, was a standout center for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks, taking home the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1947–48 and a Stanley Cup with Detroit in 1950. A cousin, Glen, was picked 140th overall by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft but never played in the league. Mikkelson’s own son, Brendan, a defenceman, went 31st overall to the Anaheim Ducks in the 2005 NHL entry draft and later suited up for the Ducks, Calgary Flames, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Pittsburgh Penguins. His daughter Meaghan skates for Canada’s national women’s team, earning Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014. Another daughter, Jillian, completes the family. After hanging up his skates, Mikkelson returned to the University of Manitoba for his senior year, graduated with a commerce degree, and took a job at IBM.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Bill Mikkelson born?
Bill Mikkelson was born on 21 May 1948 in Neepawa, Manitoba, Canada.
What position did Bill Mikkelson play?
Bill Mikkelson's position is listed as Defence.
More in Washington Capitals Players from Canada
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