NHL’s Goldsworthy Is Dead at 51 From AIDS

Bill Goldsworthy, an original member of the NHL’s Minnesota North Stars, died Friday morning from complications from AIDS. He was 51.

Goldsworthy, who disclosed he had the disease last year, was hospitalized last Thursday.

Goldsworthy initially learned he had the disease in November 1994. He told the St. Paul Pioneer Press in February 1995 that his health problems were caused by drinking and promiscuity. The story suggested he contracted AIDS through unprotected heterosexual sex.

A five-time NHL All-Star, Goldsworthy played 10 seasons with the North Stars from 1967 through 1977.

He scored 267 goals with Minnesota to become the first player from an expansion team to top 250 goals and was also the first North Star to reach the 500-point plateau.

His 14-year NHL career began with the Boston Bruins in 1964 and ended with the New York Rangers in 1978. He totaled 283 goals and 258 assists in 771 regular season games and 18 goals and 19 assists in 40 playoff contests. The North Stars retired Goldsworthy’s jersey (No. 8) in February 1992.

“He was a fun-loving guy, unpredictable,” said Lou Nanne, a former teammate and North Star coach. “We always used to say, ‘Goldy’s just being Goldy.’ That’s just the way he was.”