Number 7 Rod Gilbert

Number 7 Rod Gilbert

Rodrigue Gabriel Gilbert was a Canadian-born professional ice hockey player who played 16 seasons in the NHL, all with the New York Rangers. Gilbert played right wing on the “GAG” (Goal a Game line) with Vic Hadfield and Jean Ratelle. He was known as “Mr. Ranger” and was the first Ranger to have his jersey retired. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982 and became president of the Rangers’ alumni association after his playing days.

Early Years

Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Rod was a fan of the Montreal Canadians. At the age of 16, he began to play in Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters; he would play three seasons with the team from 1957-60. Unfortunately, in his final year with the club, he suffered a catastrophic injury. He slipped backward on some garbage strewn on the ice and crashed into the boards, breaking a vertebra rendering him temporarily paralyzed. After receiving corrective surgery, his leg began to hemorrhage, and amputation was considered, but he made a swift recovery and avoided further trauma.

Playing Career

Gilbert made his NHL debut with the New York Rangers during the 1960-61 season when he appeared in one game. The following season (1961-62), he appeared in one game for the Rangers before earning a permanent spot on the roster for the 1962-63 season. He remained a regular for the remainder of his career, culminating in 1977-78.

He quickly became a fan favorite in New York and became a star in the NHL. In 1965-66 his old injuries began to cause him serious problems when he was forced to undergo a second spinal infusion operation. As a result, Gilbert was sidelined from playing hockey for half a season. By 1966-67 he returned to the NHL. With his back issues behind him, he had a career year posting 28 goals in 64 games, surpassing his previous high of 25 goals in 70 games in 1964-65. On February 24, 1968, in a game against his childhood heroes, the Montreal Canadians, he scored four goals. In 1972 he was selected to play for Team Canada in the Summit Series against the Soviet Union. In 1976 he was recognized for his perseverance over his back ailments and won the Bill Masterton Trophy.

Rod Gilbert retired from the NHL 19 games into the 1977-78 season after becoming embroiled in a contract dispute with General Manager John Ferguson. On October 14, 1979, the New York Rangers retired Number 7 Rod Gilbert, making him the first Ranger to retire his jersey.

Post NHL

After his playing days, Gilbert became involved in several endeavors. First, he opened his own restaurant ‘Gilbert’s,’ on Third Avenue in Manhatten. Then, he would gain employment working for Fundamental Brokers on Wall Street. Finally, in August 1989, he returned to the New York Rangers organization. He assumed the role of director of special projects and community relations representative, and president of the New York Rangers alumni association. As recently as 2017, he acted as a spokesperson on behalf of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, an initiative that works to provide life-changing opportunities to young people in need.

In 1979 Andy Warhol featured Gilbert as one of ten athletes in his 1979 Athlete Series of Paintings, which depicted famous sports personalities from the 1970s.

Personal Life

Rod Gilbert passed away on August 22, 2021, shortly after his 80th birthday. He leaves behind his wife Judith and their four children, Chantal, Justin, Holly, Brooke, and seven grandchildren.

Gilbert died on August 22, 2021, a month after his 80th birthday. It has been reported that Gilbert died from complications of Covid-19, although there has been no official statement confirming this.

Rest in Peace Number 7 Rod Gilbert

Awards and honors

• Named to the NHL Second All-Star Team (1967–68)
• Named to the NHL First All-Star Team (1971–72)
• Won Bill Masterton Trophy (1976)
• Won Lester Patrick Trophy (1991)
• Played in NHL All-Star Game (1964, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1977)
• Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982
• Has his No. 7 retired at Madison Square Garden, the first Ranger to receive the honor.
• Awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in May 2010, in recognition of his humanitarian efforts.

Records

• New York Rangers team record for career goals (406)
• New York Rangers team record for career points (1021)
• New York Rangers team record for consecutive games with an assist by a forward (10)
• Shares New York Rangers team record for assists in one game (5; three times)

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

		Regular season		Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1957–58	Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters	OHA	32	14	16	30	0	—	—	—	—	—
1958–59	Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters	OHA	54	27	34	61	40	—	—	—	—	—
1959–60	Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters	OHA	47	39	52	91	0	—	—	—	—	—
1959–60	Trois-Rivières Lions	EPHL	3	4	6	10	0	5	2	2	4	2
1960–61	Guelph Royals	OHA	47	54	49	103	0	—	—	—	—	—
1960–61	New York Rangers	NHL	1	0	1	1	2	—	—	—	—	—
1961–62	New York Rangers	NHL	1	0	0	0	0	4	2	3	5	4
1961–62	Kitchener-Waterloo Beavers	EPHL	21	12	11	23	22	4	0	0	0	4
1962–63	New York Rangers	NHL	70	11	20	31	20	—	—	—	—	—
1963–64	New York Rangers	NHL	70	24	40	64	62	—	—	—	—	—
1964–65	New York Rangers	NHL	70	25	36	61	54	—	—	—	—	—
1965–66	New York Rangers	NHL	34	10	15	25	20	—	—	—	—	—
1966–67	New York Rangers	NHL	64	28	18	46	12	4	2	2	4	6
1967–68	New York Rangers	NHL	73	29	48	77	12	6	5	0	5	4
1968–69	New York Rangers	NHL	66	28	49	77	22	4	1	0	1	2
1969–70	New York Rangers	NHL	72	16	37	53	22	6	4	5	9	0
1970–71	New York Rangers	NHL	78	30	31	61	65	13	4	6	10	8
1971–72	New York Rangers	NHL	73	43	54	97	64	16	7	8	15	11
1972–73	New York Rangers	NHL	76	25	59	84	25	10	5	1	6	2
1973–74	New York Rangers	NHL	75	36	41	77	20	13	3	5	8	4
1974–75	New York Rangers	NHL	76	36	61	97	22	3	1	3	4	2
1975–76	New York Rangers	NHL	70	36	50	86	32	—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	New York Rangers	NHL	77	27	48	75	50	—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	New York Rangers	NHL	19	2	7	9	6	—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals	1065	406	615	1021	510	79	34	33	67	43

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1972	Canada	SS	6	1	3	4	9
1977	Canada	WC	9	2	2	4	12
Senior totals	15	3	5	8	21

Keep Your Stick on the Ice.

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