Paul Woods

Paul William Woods (born April 12, 1955 in Hespeler, Ontario) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1977 through 1984. He currently serves as a color commentator for the Detroit Red Wings on radio station 97.1 FM The Ticket.

Career

Woods spent his junior career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, leading the team in scoring in 1974-75 with 121 points in 62 games. He was drafted in the 3rd round (51st overall) of the 1975 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. Woods won two AHL Calder Cup titles with Montreal's farm team, the Nova Scotia Voyageurs in 1975–76 and 1976–77, scoring the Cup winning goal in 1976. After two seasons in Nova Scotia, he was claimed by Detroit in the 1977 NHL Waiver Draft. His entire NHL career would be spent with Detroit.

Woods was the youngest captain in team history prior to Steve Yzerman. He scored 19 goals in his rookie season and settled into a role as a defensive forward, shutting down the opposition's top players. This was a role he embraced, and Woods' work ethic and speed made him a fan favorite in Detroit. His career was shortened due to a hip injury, finishing his NHL career with 72 goals and 124 assists in 502 games played.

Paul Woods (rugby)

Paul Woods (28 October 1950 — 1 November 2007 (aged 57)) born in Pontllanfraith, was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and '80s, and rugby union coach, playing club level rugby union (RU) for Oakdale RFC, Tredegar RFC, and Pontypool RFC, and playing representative rugby league (RL) for Wales, and at club level for Widnes, Rochdale Hornets, Hull, Cardiff City (Bridgend) Blue Dragons, and Runcorn Highfield, as a fullback, stand-off/five-eighth, or scrum-half/halfback, i.e. number 1, 6, or 7, and coaching club level rugby union (RU) for Tredegar RFC, and Margam RFC, he died of leukaemia in Abergavenny.

Playing career

International honours

Paul Woods won 10 caps for Wales (RL) in 1977–1981 while at Widnes, Rochdale Hornets, and Hull 13-goals 26-points.

BBC2 Floodlit Trophy final appearances

Paul Woods played fullback in Hull's 13-3 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1979 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy final during the 1979-80 season at The Boulevard, Kingston upon Hull on Tuesday 18 December 1979.