Gerry Cheevers

Gerald Michael "Gerry" Cheevers (born December 7, 1940, in St. Catherines, Ontario) is a former goaltender in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association between 1961 and 1980.

Overview

Cheever's professional hockey career began in 1956 at the tender age of 16 when he played for the St. Michael's Majors of the Ontario Hockey Association. He was "owned" by the Toronto Maple Leafs until the Boston Bruins drafted him in 1961. He spent more time in the minors until, by1968, he was the team's number one goalie. He was a member of both the 1969-70 and 1971-72 Stanley Cup winning teams. Between 1972 and 1976, he was a member of the Cleveland Crusaders of the World Hockey Association. Returning to Boston during the 1975-1976 season, Cheevers finished out his NHL playing career at the end of the 1980 season. After hanging up his pads, he became the Bruin's coach, a position he held for four and a half seasons.

Cheevers was not afraid to stray from the crease both to cut down the shooter's angle and to act as a "third defenseman." He was very aggressive with opposing players who strayed into or near the crease. Not a "stand-up" goalie like Ken Dryden, Cheevers could often be found on his knees or even his side. His trademark was the stitches that he painted on his mask each time he stopped a puck with his face. His cumulative NHL goals against average was 2.89.

Regular Season

Awards

• 1964-65 Harry (Hap) Holmes Memorial Award, which goes to the AHL goalie with the best goals against average.
• 1979-80 Runner-up for the NHL's Vezina Memorial Trophy (Top goaltender).
• Gerry Cheevers was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985.

International Play

1974-75 Team Canada at the Summit-74 series