Gilles Villemure

Lore & Background

Villemure spent ten years in the minor leagues, principally with the Vancouver Canucks of the WHL, the Baltimore Clippers and the Buffalo Bisons of the AHL. He was a star in the minors, winning the Les Cunningham Award as AHL MVP in both 1968–69 and 1969–70, and backstopping the Bisons to the Calder Cup in 1970. During his minor league career, he led his league in goals against average three times and in shutouts five times.

Called up to the NHL for good in 1970–71 as the Rangers' backup to Eddie Giacomin, Villemure recorded a sparkling 66–27–10 mark over three seasons with ten shutouts and a goals-against average never higher than 2.30. He shared the Vezina Trophy with Giacomin in 1971 and played in the NHL All-Star Game all three seasons, allowing only a single goal and recording the lowest career GAA of any All-Star Game goaltender. The Rangers reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1972, and Villemure played in Games Two, Five, and Six after Giacomin injured his knee.

By 1974–75, Villemure became the number one goaltender in New York but had only modest success. He was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks in the off-season, backed up Tony Esposito for two years, and retired after the 1976–77 season. Off the ice, he was a professional harness racehorse driver during the off-season and now resides in Levittown, New York.

Reader's Guide

Gilles Villemure's legacy is defined by his remarkable three-season run as a backup goaltender for the New York Rangers, during which he shared the Vezina Trophy with Eddie Giacomin in 1971. His statistics over that period—66 wins, 27 losses, 10 ties, ten shutouts, and a goals-against average never exceeding 2.30—demonstrate exceptional consistency. His performance in the NHL All-Star Game, where he allowed only a single goal and posted the lowest career GAA of any All-Star Game goaltender, further underscores his skill under pressure. Villemure's minor league dominance, including two Les Cunningham Awards and a Calder Cup championship, highlights his long path to the NHL. The 2009 book 100 Ranger Greats ranked him No. 48 all-time among the 901 New York Rangers who played during the team's first 82 seasons, reflecting his lasting impact on the franchise. His off-season career as a professional harness racehorse driver adds a unique dimension to his biography.

Did You Know?

• He played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1971, 1972, and 1973, allowing only one goal total.
• During the off-season, Villemure was a professional harness racehorse driver.