William Arthur Torrey (June 23, 1934 – May 2, 2018) was a Canadian hockey executive. He served as a general manager in the National Hockey League for the Oakland Seals, New York Islanders, and Florida Panthers. He developed the Islanders into a dynasty that won four consecutive Stanley Cups. He was often known as "The Architect", and "Bow-Tie" Bill, after the signature bow tie he always wore.\n', '

Torrey was from Montreal, and was raised near the Montreal Forum. His father worked as a stockbroker. He tried out for the Montreal Canadiens, and attended St. Lawrence University on a scholarship to play hockey. He lost his depth perception after he was hit in the left eye with a hockey stick, breaking his orbital bone. Torrey earned a degree in psychology, while also taking business classes. He then worked in Barrie, Ontario, at a radio station, and worked for NBC as a tour guide at Rockefeller Center.\n', '

In the mid-1960s, Torrey began working for the Pittsburgh Hornets of the American Hockey League, setting up promotional events. He became general manager of the Oakland Seals, a recently created expansion team in the National Hockey League (NHL), in 1969. The next year, Charlie Finley bought the team. Finley and Torrey clashed on issues ranging from personnel moves to marketing, and Torrey left the organization in 1971.\n', '

Return to Bill Torrey Autograph Profile