William Osser Xavier Cook (October 8 1895 – May 5 1986) was a Canadian professional ice‑hockey right winger, coach, and executive. He is best known for being the first captain of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL), scoring the franchise’s inaugural goal, and leading the team to two Stanley Cup championships. Cook was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1952 and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1975.
Early life
Born in Brantford, Ontario, Cook grew up in Kingston, where he learned to skate on the Rideau Canal. He began his junior hockey career with the Kingston Frontenacs in 1913. His playing career was interrupted by World I, during which he served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force and was later deployed to Archangel, Russia, earning the Military Medal.
Playing career
Western Canada – After the war, Cook returned to senior amateur hockey, joining the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and leading the Northern Ontario Hockey Association in scoring. He turned professional in 1922 with the Saskatoon Crescents of the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL), later the Western Hockey League (WHL). Cook led the league in goals in 1923‑24 and 1925‑26 and was named an all‑star right wing for three consecutive seasons.
National Hockey League – In 1926, Conn Smythe signed Cook and his brother Bun for the newly formed New York Rangers, making Bill the first player signed and the team’s inaugural captain. Paired with Frank Boucher, the “Bread Line” became one of the era’s most prolific scoring lines.
- 1926‑27: Scored the Rangers’ first goal (the game‑winning goal in a 1–0 victory) and led the NHL with 33 goals and 37 points.
- 1928: Helped the Rangers capture their first Stanley Cup; the Bread Line scored every Rangers goal in the Finals.
- 1931‑33: Won three consecutive NHL scoring titles, leading the league in goals (1932, 1933) and points (1933). He was selected to the NHL All‑Star team each year from 1931 to 1934.
- 1933: Scored the overtime power‑play winner in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals, securing the Rangers’ second championship.
Cook retired as a player during the 1936‑37 season at age 40, having amassed 174 NHL goals and 378 points in 514 games.
Coaching and later career
After retiring, Cook coached the Cleveland Barons (IAHL), leading them to two Calder Cup championships. He later coached the Minneapolis Millers to a United States Hockey League title and served as head coach of the New York Rangers for the 1951‑52 season. He retired from professional hockey in 1953.
Legacy
Bill Cook is remembered as a pioneering figure in early NHL history, notable for his scoring prowess, leadership as the Rangers’ first captain, and contributions to the sport as a coach. His induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1952 cemented his status among the game’s greats.