Gerry Cheevers

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Lore & Background

Cheevers was the first to decorate his goaltender mask with stitch markings where a puck had struck, leading to the contemporary tradition of goaltenders decorating their masks. He held the Boston Bruins' record for most playoff wins by a goaltender (53) until it was surpassed by Tuukka Rask in 2021.

In Their Own Story

On October 11, 1972, the Cleveland Crusaders began play in the WHA, and Cheevers recorded the league's first-ever shutout against the Quebec Nordiques. That season, he dominated with a 32–20–2 record, leading the league in GAA (2.84), shutouts (5), and save percentage (.912) to win the Ben Hatskin Award as best goaltender. He continued his excellence through 1974, playing seven of eight games for Team Canada in the Summit Series. After a financial dispute with Crusaders management, he returned to Boston on January 26, 1976. On February 8, 1976, he played his first NHL game in nearly four years, recording a 7–0 shutout win over the Detroit Red Wings. His departure from Cleveland was abrupt; when coach Tommy Johnson offered whatever the other team paid, Cheevers revealed the Cleveland offer, to which Johnson replied, "Can't do it, Gerry. Do they need a coach?"

Reader's Guide

Cheevers played minor ice hockey at St. Catharines and for Toronto St. Michael's Majors. He started his professional career with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, making his NHL debut on December 2, 1961. The Boston Bruins drafted him in 1965. He became the Bruins' number one goaltender in 1967 and helped them win the Stanley Cup in 1970 and 1972. He jumped to the WHA in 1972, playing for the Cleveland Crusaders. After retiring, he coached the Bruins from 1980 to 1985 and later worked as a commentator for the Hartford Whalers and Bruins.

Did You Know?

• Cheevers recorded the first-ever WHA shutout on October 11, 1972, against the Quebec Nordiques.
• In the 1969–70 season, Cheevers had a shutout streak of 151 minutes, 26 seconds.
• Cheevers went undefeated in 32 consecutive games during the 1971–72 season, an NHL record that still stands.
• He was the final goaltender in AHL history to play every game of a season (1964–65).

The Rise of a Goaltending Legend

Cheevers played minor hockey at St. Catharines and joined the Toronto St. Michael's Majors in 1956. He became the starting goalie for the 1959–60 season, going 18–13–5 with a 3.08 GAA to win the Dave Pinkney Trophy. In the 1961 playoffs, he led the Majors to the J. Ross Robertson Cup, George Richardson Memorial Trophy, and 1961 Memorial Cup championships. After starting his pro career in 1961 with the Sault Thunderbirds (EPHL) and Pittsburgh Hornets (AHL), he made his NHL debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 2, 1961. He spent time with the Rochester Americans before becoming their exclusive starter for two seasons. In 1963–64, he went 38–25–2 with a 2.84 GAA. In his final minor season (1964–65), he became the last goaltender in AHL history to play every game, finishing 48–21–2 with five shutouts and a league-best 2.69 GAA, winning the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award. Although Toronto tried to list him as a forward to prevent other teams from drafting him, Boston selected Cheevers in 1965. He split time between Boston and the Oklahoma City Blazers (CPHL) in 1965–66 before becoming the Bruins' number one goaltender following the 1967 expansion.

Championship Glory and Record-Breaking Seasons

Cheevers became Boston's primary starter for five seasons after the 1967 expansion. He recorded his first NHL shutout on November 10, 1966, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 1967–68, he started wearing a mask regularly beginning October 11, 1967, and posted a 23–17–5 record with a 2.83 GAA. During the 1969–70 season, he began with a shutout streak of 151 minutes and 26 seconds, finishing 24–8–8 with four shutouts to lead Boston to their first Stanley Cup in 29 years. In 1970–71, despite a strong regular season (27–8–5), the Bruins lost in the first round to Montreal. The following year, Cheevers went undefeated in 32 consecutive games, an NHL record that still stands. He finished 27–5–8 with a career-best 2.50 GAA and .920 save percentage. In the playoffs, he split time with Eddie Johnston, going 6–2 with two shutouts as Boston won their second Cup in three years. Cheevers held the Bruins' record for most playoff wins (53) until it was surpassed by Tuukka Rask in 2021.

The Mask That Changed the Game

Cheevers was the first goaltender to decorate his mask with stitch markings where a puck had struck him, leading to the contemporary tradition of goaltenders decorating their masks. He began wearing a mask regularly on October 11, 1967.

Life After Retirement

Following his retirement in 1980, Cheevers coached the Boston Bruins from 1980 to 1985. He subsequently worked as a commentator for both the Hartford Whalers and the Bruins.