William R. Steenson (June 29, 1935 – June 14, 2011) was a Canadian ice hockey defenseman who captained North Dakota to the program's first National Championship in 1959. Career After finishing his junior career with the Moose Jaw Canucks, Steenson accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of North Dakota in 1955. After a year with the freshman team Steenson joined the varsity squad and provided a boost to the defense. North Dakota allowed 30 fewer goals against than the year before and went from 11 wins to 18, finishing 3rd in the conference. Steenson was recognized as a major contributor to that improvement with his being named an AHCA Second Team All-American as a sophomore. The team continued to prove strong on defense and performed wonderfully during his junior season, capturing their first WHIL championship and earning the team's first ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The team easily dispatched Harvard in the semifinal, but the defense faltered in the championship match against WIHL co-champion Denver. After assisting on the game's opening score, Steenson and the defense were unable to halt the Pioneer attack and their opponents scored two e-goal bursts in the second and third periods to take the championship 6–2. Steenson was named team captain for his senior season and he would need to be a stabilizing force through the uncertainty of the campaign. Before the season had started, an argument between Denver and Minnesota over player eligibility came to a head and the three Big Ten teams left the WIHL to form their own conference. The remaining for teams decided not to continue together and played as independent programs for the season. The resulting schedule imbalances caused a great deal of confusion on the part of the teams as well as the NCAA selection committee. At the end of the season Michigan State, the winner of the Big Ten Championship, was given one of the western bids, leaving just one for the remaining teams. Denver had the best record among independents at 22–5–1, however, the team had hardly left the state of Colorado all season and when they had they fell to North Dakota. The Committee eventually chose North Dakota as the other western representative, much to the chagrin of the Denver faithful, and the Fighting Sioux made sure their selection wasn't a mistake. While the team had made their second tournament, Steenson himself wouldn't be