This goalie’s a keeper
Catching up with Gilles Gilbert
He was an acrobatic Bruins goalie who was full of personality.
Gilles Gilbert played seven seasons with the Bruins (1972-80), and shyness was not part of his vocabulary. However, there is no doubting his talent. In fact, for his Bruins career, Gilbert finished with a 2.95 goals-against average.
“I did enjoy it very much (playing for the Bruins),” said Gilbert. “The people were very nice to me. The Boston fans won a lot of games for us. They are unbelievable and that’s the place to play.”
These days, Gilbert resides in Quebec City in Quebec, Canada, which is where he was born and raised along with his wife Diane. The two of them have a son, Terry (29), and a daughter, Jennifer (25).
“That’s (Quebec City) where I learned how to play hockey at the age of six,” said Gilbert. “The kids today, they always play in the indoor rink not outdoors. We played many times in minus 35 and 45 degrees.”
Gilbert works for Canadian Hockey Enterprises, which helps set up hockey tournaments for youth and adults.
“It’s great and they take care of me very well,” said Gilbert. “I love it because I am still involved in hockey.”
Prior to joining Canadian Hockey Enterprises, Gilbert was a goalie coach and scout with the New York Islanders under former Bruin Mike Milbury.
“I didn’t want to give it up,” Gilbert said about working with the Islanders. “I like working with the young kids getting them ready for the NHL. It’s a dream for everybody to play in the NHL and I worked with so many good goaltenders. I used to travel to Salt Lake City, Chicago, and with the Lowell Lock Monsters (AHL).”
Gilbert also enjoys golfing and currently runs a celebrity golf tournament for charity in Winchendon, Mass. This year the tournament is slated for Aug. 8.
“I never won a Stanley Cup in my life, but my own Stanley Cup personally is to give an electric wheel chair to a boy or a girl,” said Gilbert. “I think this year we will achieve that. Anyone that wants to take part and help with the gift I will appreciate very much.”
As far as the NHL officially ending the season, Gilbert is sad to see it happen.
“It’s pretty sad ... and the owners don’t have to pay anyone now,” said Gilbert. “I will be surprised if they have another season next year. It’s too bad for the players, but they will have to come out with a salary cap. The ticket prices are so high, so the kids are punished because of that.”
With no end in sight for the lockout, Gilbert even suggested “The Great One” and the players association start up their own league.
“Wayne Gretzky may decide himself to start his own league,” said Gilbert. “I talked to a lot of people about it and the players association will come up with six teams in the States, six in Canada, and six in Europe. They will compete and call it the International League."
Gilbert was traded to the Bruins from the Minnesota North Stars prior to the 1973-74 season. It was a necessary trade because Boston was looking for a goaltender after Gerry Cheevers left to play with Cleveland in the WHL.
“I was going to leave the North Stars eventually because I was going to play with the L.A. Sharks,” said Gilbert. “I heard about Gerry Cheevers going to Cleveland so my attorney Mike Adams called the Boston Bruins. We came up with the deal and instead signing with the L.A. Sharks I went with security, signing a six-year deal with the Boston Bruins.”
Gilbert remains as one of the Bruins all-time best goaltenders. He currently sits fifth all-time in wins (155), sixth all-time in games played (277), sixth all-time in minutes played (15,915) and 10th all-time with a 2.95 GAA.
“I’m absolutely proud of my career with the Bruins,” said Gilbert. “You dream when you are a kid to be drafted and play in the NHL and win the Stanley Cup. When I was a little kid I always hoped the Boston Bruins would draft me. The North Stars called and I signed with them, but when I wore the Boston Bruins uniform for the first time it was a dream come true.”
After playing with Boston, Gilbert was traded to the Detroit Red Wings at the start of the 1980-81 season for goalie Reggie Vachon. He played in Detroit for three seasons before retiring. For his career, Gilbert played in 416 games and finished with a 192 wins, 143 losses and 60 ties. 