Bill Muckalt had a standout college hockey career with the University of Michigan from 1994 to 1998. He was a four-year starter for the Wolverines and was part of two NCAA National Championship teams in 1996 and 1998. In his senior year, he served as an assistant captain, was named an NCAA West First Team All-American, and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. He finished his collegiate career with 105 goals and 226 total points.

After his successful college tenure, Muckalt was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the ninth round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. He played in the National Hockey League for five seasons, from 1998 until 2003, with the Canucks, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, and Minnesota Wild. Muckalt played a total of 256 NHL games, accumulating 40 goals and 57 assists for 97 career points before retiring in 2004.