Gilles Gilbert

Lore & Background

Gilbert played junior hockey for the Trois-Rivières Reds in the Quebec Junior Hockey League, appearing in 43 games with a 4.44 goals-against average and a 23-18-2 record. He was drafted in the third round of the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft by the Minnesota North Stars. After spending most of the 1969–70 season with the CHL affiliate Iowa Stars, he made his NHL debut on February 8, 1970, a 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. His first NHL victory came on October 21, 1970, against the Montreal Canadiens at the Montreal Forum. During his time with the North Stars, Gilbert also played shortstop on a semi-professional baseball team.

In 1973–74, Gilbert was traded to the Boston Bruins as a replacement for Gerry Cheevers, who had left for the World Hockey Association. He immediately became the starting goaltender, posting a 34-12-8 record with a career-high six shutouts, a 2.95 GAA, and a .900 save percentage, earning a spot in the 1974 NHL All-Star Game. He started all 16 playoff games that year, helping the Bruins reach the 1974 Stanley Cup Final, where they lost 4-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers. During the 1975–76 season, Gilbert set the NHL record for most consecutive wins by a goaltender with 17, finishing with a 33-8-10 record. When Cheevers returned to the Bruins in 1976, Gilbert formed one of the best goaltending duos in the NHL with him, splitting time over the next four seasons.

Gilbert's final season with the Bruins was 1979–80, where he posted a 20-9-3 record with a 2.73 GAA and a .890 save percentage, finishing as runner-up for the Vezina Trophy alongside Cheevers. He was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in July 1980 for Rogie Vachon. He served as the Red Wings' starting goaltender in 1980–81, going 11-24-9, and later in a backup role before retiring after the 1982–83 season. After his playing career, Gilbert worked as a pro scout and goaltending consultant for the New York Islanders, later becoming their goaltending coach until 2001. He died on August 6, 2023, at age 74.

Reader's Guide

Gilles Gilbert's significance lies primarily in his tenure with the Boston Bruins, where he established himself as one of the franchise's most memorable goaltenders. His NHL record of 17 consecutive wins during the 1975–76 season remains a notable achievement, and he ranks sixth in all-time playoff wins among Boston goaltenders as of 2019, with 17 playoff victories. Gilbert also holds the Bruins record for most assists by a goaltender in a single postseason (3) and most assists by a Bruins goalie in the postseason overall (4). His acrobatic style and consistent performance made him a fan favorite, and in 2023 he was named one of the 100 best Bruins players of all time. Beyond his on-ice accomplishments, Gilbert's trade from Minnesota to Boston in 1973 had a significant impact, immediately boosting the Bruins while sinking the North Stars, whose general manager was later fired as a result. His legacy also includes his work as a goaltending coach and scout for the New York Islanders, as well as his charitable efforts, including running a yearly celebrity golf tournament in Winchendon, Massachusetts.

Did You Know?

• He was in net for Detroit on February 11, 1982, when the Vancouver Canucks became the first team with two successful penalty shots in the same game.
• Gilbert was named the game's first star three times in the five games against Montreal during the 1979 Stanley Cup playoffs.
• During his time with the Minnesota North Stars, he also played shortstop on a semi-professional baseball team.