Gilles Bilodeau was selected by the Toronto Toros in the 1975 WHA Amateur Draft. Following an eventful 58-game stint with the Beauce Jaros of the NAHL in which he racked up 451 penalty minutes, he was recalled by the Toros, who gave him the fitting nickname of “Bad News”.
Bilodeau followed the franchise to Birmingham and over the course of the next two seasons, he cemented his well-earned reputation as one of the most feared pugilists in hockey. In the 1977-1978 season, he combined with Steve Durbano, Frank Beaton, Dave Hanson, and others on a Bulls roster that was one of the biggest stable of goons in hockey history.
Bilodeau signed with the Quebec Nordiques in September 1978 and remained with the Nordiques following their entry into the NHL. He passed away in August 2008 of pancreatic cancer in Birmingham. |
