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Around SBN: Off Tackle Empire interviews Rich Rodriguez

Blueshirts by the Numbers: Number 7 - Rod Gilbert

At Rod-gilbert_mediumnumber seven we take a look at the New York Rangers all-time scoring leader, Rod Gilbert. Gilbert spent 16 seasons - his entire career - playing on Broadway where he registered 406 goals, 615 assists and 1,021 points. Rod's story is an inspirational one that began when he was playing junior hockey with the Guelph Biltmores. During one of his games with them a freak accident occurred that threatened his life. A lid from an ice cream container made its way onto the ice and Rod slipped on it and wound up breaking his back. After two successful but very dangerous surgeries, along with physical therapy and spinal fusions, Gilbert made a miraculous comeback to hockey.

Gilbert made his National Hockey League debut when he was called up by the Blueshirts in a 1962 playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his first contest he buried two goals and instantly caught the attention of the fanbase, coaching staff and management alike. While the Rangers eventually lost that series with the Leafs, Gilbert notched 5 points in four games and made a case for himself as an NHL caliber hockey player.

Gilbert was a part of the Rangers' ever famous GAG line, which stood for "Goal a Game" line. Accompanied by greats Jean Ratelle and Vic Hadfield, the threesome quickly became one of the more dominant offensive forces in all of hockey. The chemistry was due in part to the fact that Gilbert had been lacing up the skates with Ratelle back in Canada since the two were ten years old. In fact, when New York approached Gilbert about joining the team at age 14, he mentioned that he had a friend (Ratelle) that he has played with for years and that was better than him. The Rangers then signed Ratelle without ever seeing him play to join Gilbert in New York.

Continue reading after the jump.....

Star-divide

In 1972 Gilbert had his one and only chance to win a Stanley Cup Championship. Unfortunately the Blueshirts fell short to Bobby Orr and the Boston Bruins and Rod would never be able to kiss Lord Stanley's Cup. I always wondered how that felt to a player such as Gilbert. I mean, he had a remarkable career but never got his hands on the most prized trophy in sports. That has to be a soft spot in his heart.

Gilbert was an NHL All-Star eight times in his career and also led Team Canada to an Olympic Championship as well. His prestigious scoring and knack for the net got him there and is what he became known for. There was only one other right winger in hockey history that he trailed in points and that was Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings.

Gilbert's accomplishments got him inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982, only four years after he retired in 1978. Rod was also the first player to have his number retired by the Rangers on October 14, 1979. In addition to that, he was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy late in his career for his persistent attitude during his journey to the NHL.

Today, Gilbert currently works for the New York Rangers organization and can always be seen with his beautiful wife Judie on hand for Ranger games at MSG. I have had the pleasure of meeting him on several occasions and he is a joy to talk to. He is like your grandfather, who as a child you would hear story after story from him about his past. That is the way Rod is and treats anyone like they are a member of his family.

True determination. True perseverance. True Blue. Number 7: Rod Gilbert.

Honorable Mentions at number 7: Frank Boucher and Phil Watson

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Wonderful profile Nick. The days of such club loyalty are a thing of the past.

by voice22 on Jul 28, 2010 12:46 PM EDT reply actions  

Thank You

Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers for SB Nation.
The Rangers Tribune: A hockey blog dedicated to covering the New York Rangers.

by Nick Montemagno on Jul 28, 2010 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

I’m curious if there are any guidelines or prerequisites for choosing the players…every selection so far has been an easy one I don’t disagree with any of them…just curious

by 8kpower on Jul 28, 2010 12:47 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

No guidelines, really just opinion. We got a ways to go, I am sure you will disagree with us at some point. I think Number 10 is going to be hotly debated, no matter who we choose.

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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jul 28, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

its either Guy Lafleur or Larry Jeffrey, too close to call.

actually scratch them both, Garth Murray wins.

Seriously though, I’m loving this “By The Numbers” series, I have flashbacks to all the stories my grandfather tells me about going to Rangers games wayyyy back

by teknics on Jul 28, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

Great job Nick.

it should also be mentioned that both of our honorable mentions are former head coaches of the Rangers as well. Boucher was head coach when the Rangers won the Cup in…………….wait for it……1940.

Watson played on that 1940 team, and I believe coached the Rangers in the 50’s.

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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jul 28, 2010 12:48 PM EDT reply actions  

Phil Watson Profile

If anyone subscribes to The New Yorker, I highly recommend the February 15, 1947 profile of Watson titled, “Disorder on the Rink”. You can access it through the digital archives. Here’s a small sample:

“Watson, displaying a kind of instinctive legal ingenuity, has detected loopholes in the cod: there is no mention of spitting int he referee’s face. In moments of extreme urgency, he performs this act, and generally draws a severe penalty, under whatever rule the referee feels may be stretched to cover the case.”

It really is a great read. Watson was pretty crazy.

by NTB on Jul 28, 2010 2:56 PM EDT reply actions  

That is interesting

Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers for SB Nation.
The Rangers Tribune: A hockey blog dedicated to covering the New York Rangers.

by Nick Montemagno on Jul 28, 2010 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

*that should read code, not cod.

by NTB on Jul 28, 2010 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

Imagine this happening now?
In fact, when New York approached Gilbert about joining the team at age 14, he mentioned that he had a friend (Ratelle) that he has played with for years and that was better than him. The Rangers then signed Ratelle without ever seeing him play to join Gilbert in New York

Shit would be all announcers and Versus ever talked about.

MATTEAU!!!!! MATTEAU!!!!!!! MATTEAU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by stonecoldcory on Jul 28, 2010 3:59 PM EDT reply actions  

Yeah that would be wild

Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers for SB Nation.
The Rangers Tribune: A hockey blog dedicated to covering the New York Rangers.

by Nick Montemagno on Jul 28, 2010 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

Nice Writeup.

I started watching hockey in the mid 70’s so I have never seen the old timers play. Its nice to hear the stories of a different age.

by GAThingy on Jul 28, 2010 8:54 PM EDT reply actions  

rod really is a true gentleman

i was at game 3 of the ‘06 playoff series against the devils sitting in the corporate seats, and rod came down and sat in front of us with a small group….when the puck hopped over ozolinsh’s stick about a minute into the game and the devils scored, everybody started groaning, rod says “don’t worry, they’ll come back”, to which we started asking him to lace ‘em up to help the power play….he thought that was hysterical….i used to see him walking around the lower level entrance a lot and always got goosebumps when he’d say hi

he’s also a lot shorter than i expected him to be in person

This from a man who thinks the plural of goose is sheep.

by joereiter on Jul 29, 2010 7:56 AM EDT reply actions  

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