The line of Flick, Flanagan and Roth was legendary in hockey circles in the late 40’s and early 50’s. Billy Flick was born and raised in Guelph before moving to Stratford to work as an apprentice with the Canadian National Railway. He played Junior B hockey there for two seasons followed by a season of Junior A before moving to the highly successful Stratford Senior A Indians in 1947.

The following year he was dealt with linemate Mickey Roth to the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen. It was there they were united with centre Dinny Flanagan and the rest as they say, is history. That year the line finished one-two-three in league scoring. At the end of the Dutchmen’s 1951 season Flick had to make a decision. Would he take the Boston Bruins up on an offer to play five or six games so they could assess his skill or would he go to the World Hockey Championships to play for Canada. The Lethbridge Maple Leafs were representing Canada that year and wanted to pick up the entire line of Flick, Flanagan and Roth to help their offense. Flick jumped at the chance and headed over to Paris, France. Canada dominated that year outscoring their opponents 62-6, including a 5-1 win over Sweden in the gold medal game. The fabulous Ontario line led all other players in scoring at the tournament.

In an exhibition game in England following their world title Flick slid hard into the boards breaking his wrist. That would ultimately cost him a shot at the NHL but it didn’t stop him from winning the batting title in the Senior Intercounty Baseball League the following year proving he was a great all-round athlete.

Inducted into the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame – Athlete category – on May 12, 2004