Bill Klatt, former Minnesota Fighting Saints and Gophers hockey player, died of leukemia Friday at his home in Afton. He was 64.

Klatt scored 36 goals for the Fighting Saints in 1972-73, the first World Hockey Association season.

He led the WCHA in scoring as a Gophers junior in 1967-68 with 23 goals and 20 assists in 31 games.

He set an NCAA record for fastest goal by scoring five seconds into a game against Michigan on Jan. 13, 1968.

Klatt was a member of the U.S. national team in 1976 and competed in the world championships in Poland.

Klatt was a three-sport athlete at Hill High School, playing hockey, football and baseball. In hockey, his Hill team played in the final of the state independent tournament during his senior year.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

NEWS SERVICES