Bob Heathcott

Robert V. "Happy" Heathcott is a Canadian retired ice hockey Defenceman who played for Michigan in the early 1950s.

Career Heathcott played several years of junior A ice hockey in Canada before he began attending the University of Michigan in the fall of 1948. He joined the team in his sophomore season and posted good numbers for a first year defenseman. He helped Michigan reach their third consecutive tournament but the team had to settle for winning the consolation game. His play and scoring increased for the 1950–51 season and Heathcott was selected as an AHCA First Team All-American while again helping the Wolverines reach the tournament. Heathcott's final goal that season proved to be the game-winning goal in Michigan's 8-2 drubbing of Boston University (the team that had defeated them the previous season) and after dominating Brown in the following game, Michigan claimed the 1951 National Championship. Heathcott was named to the First All-Tournament Team for his efforts.

The following year was Heachcott's finest as he not only led the team to a second consecutive national championship (third overall) but also led the team in scoring, becoming the first defenseman to achieve that feat with a champion. Despite his scoring prowess as well as the team success, Heathcott was not conferred any postseason honor. He graduated in 1952 with a degree in geology and returned to Calgary to work in the oil industry.

Heathcott was inducted into the Michigan Dekers hall of fame in 1978.

Statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1949–50 Michigan NCAA — 15 12 27 — — — — — — 1950–51 Michigan NCAA — 12 21 33 — — — — — — 1951–52 Michigan MCHA 24 13 31 44 30 — — — — — NCAA totals — 40 64 104 — — — — — —

Awards and honors Award Year AHCA First Team All-American 1950–51 NCAA All-Tournament Second Team 1951 Michigan Dekers Athletic Hall of Fame 1978