Bill Cook was in the service in World War I. For his service, the Canadian government gave him some farm land in Saskatchewan. While running his farm he also played hockey with the Saskatoon Sheiks for four years and won the scoring championship three times during 1924-25.
The New York Rangers entered the NHL in 1926 and they purchased Bill Cook and his brother Fred. They added Frank Boucher later and formed what was known as the Bread Line, the all-time greatest trio in NHL history. While playing for the Rangers, he was leading in scoring and won the championship. His greatest goal was when he scored the overtime final goal, giving the Rangers the Stanley Cup in 1930. They had also won the Stanley Cup in 1928 due to his scoring prowess.
Bill Cook was a large, burly right winger and was known as the Gretzky of the 1930s and 1940s. His fellow player, Frank Boucher, says he was better than The Rocket and better than Gordie Howe. Bill did not have a great long shot but he could score in close with his backhand or forehand. He was a hard hitting, physical player who overpowered his opponents, usually going through them instead of around them.
After his playing days, he became a coach, including spending three years with the Rangers. He was inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1952. He died on April 6, 1986. When mentioning the greatest wingers, Bill Cook should be mentioned along with the other greats.
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