BOSTON - Former Bruns goaltender Gilles Gilbert passed away on Saturday, August 5 at the age of 74.
The Quebec native played for the Bruins from 1973-80 after being acquired from the Minnesota North Stars in exchange for Fred Stanfield in May 1973.
Upon his arrival in Boston for the 1973-74 campaign, Gilbert made an immediate impact between the pipes, earning a place in that season's NHL All-Star Game, while helping lead the Black & Gold to the 1974 Stanley Cup Final, which Boston lost in six games to the Philadelphia Flyers. Gilbert was 34-12-8 with a 2.96 goals against average and .901 save percentage during the regular season.
In 1975-76, Gilbert set the NHL record for most consecutive victories by a netminder (in games he registered a decision) with 17. He finished the season with a 33-8-10 record with a 2.90 GAA and .888 save percentage.
Overall, Gilbert was 155-73-39 with a 2.95 goals against average and .890 save percentage in 277 career games for Boston. Gilbert's 155 wins rank seventh in Bruins history behind Tuukka Rask (308), Tiny Thompson (252), Frank Brimsek (230), Gerry Cheevers (226), Tim Thomas (196), and Eddie Johnston (182).
Gilbert's 17 postseason victories are sixth in Bruins history behind Rask (57), Cheevers (53), Andy Moog (36), Brimsek (32), and Thomas (29).
"To be involved with the Boston Bruins for seven years was the seven greatest years of my life," Gilbert told Bruins Academy in 2017. "It's a great organization, a great city…the people treated me well."
For his career, the backstop recorded 192 wins, a 3.27 GAA, and an .883 save percentage in 14 seasons for Minnesota, Detroit, and Boston.
