10/11/2026
The NHL Alumni Association is deeply saddened to learn that Bob Gould has passed away at the age of 69.
From Petrolia, Ontario, Bob played college hockey for the University of New Hampshire beginning in 1975. After his sophomore season, the Atlanta Flames selected Bob in the 1977 NHL amateur draft. Bob returned to New Hampshire to play his junior and senior seasons before making his professional hockey debut at the end of the 1978-79 season with the Central Hockey League’s Tulsa Oilers.
On January 4, 1980, Bob made his NHL debut with Atlanta before the club relocated to Calgary ahead of the 1980-81 season. On October 10, 1981, Bob scored his first, second, and third career goals, joining an exclusive club of NHL players who scored a hat trick the same night they scored their first career goal. Bob joined the Washington Capitals that November and played 600 games for Washington from 1981 to 1989, regularly earning votes for the Frank J. Selke as one of the NHL’s top defensive forwards.
After his time in Washington, Bob joined the Boston Bruins for the 1989-90 season. Bob concluded his NHL career with 697 regular-season games played from 1980 to 1990, along with 78 career games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Following his playing career, Bob became a teacher, serving as a trusted mentor and coach to his students for more than two decades.
We send our deepest condolences to Bob’s family, friends, and former teammates during this incredibly difficult time.
