ROD GILBERT: 1941-2021 - MR. RANGER

On the morning of September 8, the Funeral Mass for former NewYork Ranger, Rod Gilbert, was held in Manhattan at St. Monica's Catholic Church. Gilbert passed away on August 19, 2021, in New York City, at the age of 80.

Born in Montreal on July 1, 1941, the hope was Gilbert would rise through the Montreal Canadiens system, and if his development proceeded as planned, he would eventually join the Habs. But with the Canadiens franchise so deep in talent throughout the organization, Gilbert, on the advice of New York Rangers' scout, Ivan Prudhomme, decided to look elsewhere when his Junior B team, St. Eusebe, closed up shop. The St. Eusebe Juniors were sponsored my Montreal and when they withdrew their support, Gilbert was free to examine his options. 

The elsewhere for Gilbert was the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) and the Junior A team in Guelph, Ontario. The move in 1957 gave Gilbert the chance to flourish and he took full advantage of the opportunity. He was 16 years old.

In 1959-60, Gilbert earned exposure beyond the OHA when the Trois-Rivieres Lions of the Eastern Professional Hockey League (EPHL) called him up. Against more talented players, Gilbert showed he belonged when he scored 4 goals and 6 assists in 3 regular season games. In the playoffs, he produced 5 points in 5 games. 

Eddie Bush, the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters bench boss knew it was only a matter of time before Gilbert, who played right wing, made his way to the New York Rangers. "Gilbert is almost ready," Bush said in February 1960. "But another year will put the polish on him."

That another year came in 1960-61, when Gilbert played his final season of Junior hockey with the Guelph Royals. In what can only be called an amazing farewell, Gilbert went on a scoring rampage as he led the league in goals scored with 54 (winner of the Eddie Powers Trophy) and points with 103 in 47 games. As a result, Gilbert with 7 out of 8 first-place votes, was named the winner of the Albert (Red) Tilson Memorial Trophy as the OHA's Most Valuable Player.

A major milestone for Gilbert took place on November 27, 1960, when he was summoned by the Rangers to play in a contest at Chicago Stadium. His one-game promotion was necessary when Earl Ingarfield and Brian Cullen were sidelined due to injuries. In his NHL debut, Gilbert assisted on an early third period goal by Dean Prentice. The goal enabled the Rangers to depart Chicago with a 3-3 tie. A reporter wrote of Gilbert's performance that he "showed plenty of promise and handled himself like a pro after taking the pass from Andy Bathgate and placing it perfectly on Dean's stick."

Things turned sour for Gilbert during the 1961 OHA playoffs. In a home contest against the St. Mike's Majors on March 3, 1961, Gilbert collided into the boards and left the game with a back injury. He slipped on a piece of paper that was thrown onto the ice by spectator.  It was another blow to Gilbert, who suffered several injuries to his back throughout the season. The diagnosis and prognosis of his latest back problem remained a mystery as Gilbert remained in Guelph's line-up. 

Guelph advanced to the semi-final round where they faced the Niagara Falls Flyers. Gilbert's physical problems continued when he was speared in the chest on March 22 at Niagara Falls. The incident occurred during the opening frame. A bruise resulted in his early exit for the remainder of the tilt. After the first period of the game on March 24, Gilbert was rested and saw no further action.

This was the end of the line for Gilbert's post-season run. On Saturday, March 25, Gilbert travelled to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to have his back examined. The results were disclosed by Guelph Royals coach Emile Francis.

"The doctors have notified the New York Rangers that the operation was a success and Gilbert will be ready to play in the fall," stated Francis on April 5. "There was considerable damage to the vertebrae and a bone fusion operation was necessary. Bone chips were grafted from his knee."

Post-surgery, Gilbert had a scary time when clotting almost resulted in the loss of his leg. The matter was resolved and he continued to recover.

On August 1, Gilbert, at the age of 20, signed his first professional contract with the New York Rangers. Emile Francis said of Rangers top prospect, "He can shoot, skate and he knows what to do with the puck." These skills, in particular his ability to put the puck into the net, remained with Gilbert as his career continued from amateur to professional hockey.

Gilbert's recuperation lasted until early February 1962, when he joined the Kitchener-Waterloo Beavers of the EPHL. This allowed Gilbert to work on his conditioning and regain his hockey instincts. 

Eager to see the progress Gilbert made in the minors, the Rangers brought him up for a game at the Olympia in Detroit on February 15. Gilbert saw limited ice time in the Red Wings 4-3 victory. After a workout in Detroit, the Rangers sent him back to Kitchener for additional work on his game. In 21games with Kitchener, Gilbert netted 12 goals and 11 helpers. 

In their 1962 quarter-final playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Rangers lost the first two contests in Toronto and hoped for better results on home ice. And to help their effort, Gilbert was put on the roster on an emergency basis due to injuries. On April 1, Gilbert skated alongside Dave Balon and Johnny Wilson. The trio combined for three goals, including the game-winner by Balon in New York's 5-4 win. Gilbert earned his first NHL playoff point as he assisted on Balon's goal.

At Madison Square Garden (MSG), one of hockey's biggest stages, Rod Gilbert put on a performance in game four that made everyone take notice. And it didn't take him long to work his magic. Forty-one seconds after the puck drop to start the game, Gilbert put his team on the scoreboard. In the Toronto zone, Gilbert intercepted Dave Keon's pass to Allan Stanley in the face-off circle and his shot got past Johnny Bower. It was his first National Hockey League goal. Then, at the 15:46 mark of the first period, Gilbert's backhander eluded Bower and the Rangers went into the intermission with a 2-0 lead.

Gilbert's two tallies left the Leafs to play catch up and they never recovered. The Rangers won game four by a score of 4-2 and evened the series at two games apiece. Once again, Dave Balon scored the winner with Gilbert and Doug Harvey getting credit for setting up the goal. 

"I've never been so thrilled in my life, especially when I got my first one," said a delighted Gilbert in his post-game comments. His 2 goals and 1 assist showed he could come through in the clutch and make a contribution.

The Rangers fell to Toronto in 6 games, but for Gilbert it was a defining moment. It proved he belonged in hockey's biggest show and his back withstood the physical punishment handed out by opponents.

Still, at training camp in the fall of 1962, Gilbert knew there was work to do and people to impress. "Those playoff games gave me a lot of confidence, but I can't take anything for granted," stated Gilbert. "I know I've got to make the team. I'm in the best shape I've been in since the operation. But I haven't made the club yet. I know I've got to work hard to make it." 

As expected, Gilbert was in the line-up when the Rangers opened up the 1962-63 schedule. In his rookie season, Gilbert recorded 31 points. In his sophomore campaign, Gilbert upped his numbers and posted 64 points. This included 24 goals, with 20 being the benchmark for goal scorers. 

More important for Gilbert and the Rangers was his ability to play in all 70 regular season dates in his first  three years in the NHL. Any issues with his back didn't prevent him from losing ice time. A back brace helped Gilbert cope with nagging pain and discomfort. 

That all changed on February 1, 1966, when Gilbert underwent a second fusion of the vertebra at St. Clare's Hospital in New York. It was determined the procedure at the Mayo Clinic in 1961, wasn't a complete success despite initial reports to the contrary. 

Even the second time around, there was an extremely serious problem after the operation. Emile Francis, now coach of the Rangers, and Bill Jennings, the president of the Rangers, were present when Gilbert suffered a convulsion in the hospital. The attending nurse failed to find a pulse, but the doctor's pulled Gilbert through the life or death medical emergency. 

"They said I was dead for 45 seconds," stated Gilbert in a 1982 interview. "I was there. I could hear everything. I was just too weak to give a darn. The nurse was saying, 'Get oxygen! Get everything!' But it was like you read about these people being outside their body for a moment."

With the appropriate clearance from his health care team, Gilbert hit the ice for the final season of the Original Six era in 1966-67. He returned to form and potted 28 goals, his best total since becoming a regular NHL'er.

The height of his success with the New York Rangers came when teamed with Jean Ratelle and Vic Hadfield. Together, they formed the GAG (Goal-a-Game) Line. In 1971-72, all three placed in the top five of the leading scorers. Gilbert recorded a career highs in goals and points. He rung up 43 goals and 97 points. He equalled the 97 point mark in 1974-75. Gilbert and his linemates led the Rangers to the Stanley Cup final against the Boston Bruins. It was Gilbert's lone appearance in a Cup final. The Bruins captured the Stanley Cup in six games with a 3-0 victory at MSG on May 11, 1972.

Based on his stellar work, Gilbert's summer in 1972 was cut short when he was invited to play for Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series against the USSR. In 6 games, Gilbert scored 1 goal and 3 assists. Also, Gilbert suited-up for Canada in the 1977 World Championships and posted 4 points in 10 outings.

After his brilliance in 1971-72, Gilbert continued to be a consistent scorer. Up to his final season in 1977-78 with the Rangers, Gilbert scored 25, 36, 36, 36 and 27 goals.

A bump in the road came as the Rangers training camp got underway in September 1977. A dispute developed between Gilbert and New York's general manager John Ferguson. While many thought the root of the problem was money, that wasn't Gilbert's perspective or line in the sand. "I've said all along it wasn't a contract dispute," said Gilbert after both sides talked the matter out and made up. "I just wanted to know that I'm considered part of the team and part of the future, and management has made it clear to me that I am."

Ferguson presented his side to the media and fans. "He saw a lot of young, new faces with us, and he saw as we moved a lot of players over the past two years. He felt that with this youth movement, he was being eased out, which was never the case."

The elephant in the room was the two option years in Gilbert's contract. The Rangers refusal to pick up the options left Gilbert puzzled and unsure how he fit into the team's future. It wasn't the dollar amount of the options, but the activation of same. Ferguson stood firm on his position throughout the negotiations when he stated, "I couldn't give him the final two (option) years on his contract until I saw his performance this season."  

Gilbert returned to the family fold on October 4, 1977.

Back in the saddle, Gilbert, having missed training camp, was slow to get out of the gate. In his first 19 games, he scored only 2 goal and 7 assist.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1977, the New York Rangers pulled the plug on Rod Gilbert's future  as an active player. He was 35 years old. On the financial side, they offered to pay the balance of his contract for 1977-78 and a five year deal to work for Madison Square Garden as a consultant. All of this was predicated on his instant retirement as a player.

When Gilbert met the press on December 6, to announce his decision on his future plans, emotions were high as he spoke. It was about how his success on the ice translated to giving back New York and its hockey community. "I found myself giving to different people some of the admiration I had for my heroes," said Gilbert. "It was then that I understood my position and felt the urge to express my profession at a high level. This way, I could encourage kids by my example, and entertain other perfectionist in other fields by my efforts in my art."

He scored his final National Hockey League goal in his last game as a Blueshirt. On November 23, at MSG, Gilbert hit the twine on the power play for New York's 6th goal in their 6-3 decision over the Colorado Rockies. 

In his 18 seasons with the Rangers, Gilbert holds the record for most goals with 406 and points with 1,021 (including 615 assists) in 1065 games. He was a First All-Star in 1972 and a Second All-Star in 1968. Gilbert skated in a total of 8 All-Star Games.

In hockey's second season, Gilbert appeared in 79 playoff contests and scored 34 goals and 33 assists for 67 points.

On the trophy front, Gilbert has two that clearly reflects his contributions to the game. In 1976, he was voted the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance and sportsmanship. Given his ability to bounce back from two major spinal fusion operations, it isn't difficult to understand his winning the Masterton. In 1991, Gilbert was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy for his service to hockey in the United States. His promotion of hockey in New York spanned his entire playing career and beyond, and had a lasting impact on several generations.

Several other honours came Gilbert's way after his forced retirement. 

In a pregame ceremony on October 14, 1979, Gilbert's number 7 became the first number retired by the Rangers. "It looks awfully good up there," said Gilbert of his sweater hanging in the rafters at MSG.

Tuesday, June 8, 1982, wasn't just another day in the week for Gilbert. He received the telephone call that everyone in hockey dreams of taking. On the other end of the line was the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) telling him he was voted into the Hall as an Honoured Member. "There were many flashes from the past," said Gilbert after the news. "There were many road trips and a lot of pain, but it was worth it."

His longtime friend and former teammate, Jean Ratelle, spoke about what it takes to reach hockey's hallowed shrine. "To be a Hall of Famer, you can't have a weakness. You really have to have all the qualifications, and Rod has them." Gilbert and Ratelle met when they were in their teens and played hockey at Roussin College in Montreal. 

The induction ceremony for the class of 1982 - Gilbert, Yvan Cournoyer, Norm Ullman & Emile Francis (Builder) - occurred on September 8 at the HHOF in Toronto. Gilbert described the moment as being "unparalleled."

Beyond hockey, Gilbert was a force when it came to charity work and helping others. As an ambassador for the New York Rangers, he became known as Mr. Ranger, and was often scene at the Garden chatting with fans, signing autographs and taking pictures. No request was denied. The same happened at his New York restaurant, Rod Gilbert's Cafe des Sports located on Third Avenue. 

Chris Drury, the current Rangers' president and general manager, released the following statement: "Everyone in the Rangers organization mourns the loss of a true New York icon. Rod's remarkable talent and zest for life personified this city and endeared him to hockey fans and non-hockey fans alike. Growing up a young Ranger fan, one of the first names I ever heard was Rod Gilbert - he was synonymous with Rangers hockey. It was an incredible privilege to get to know Rod. His passion and dedication to the Rangers will forever be a source of inspiration to me."

The following story best captures Rod Gilbert. It was told by teammate Pat Hickey at the news conference on December 6, 1977, when Gilbert announced his departure as an active player.

"It was awfully sad when we heard, on Thanksgiving, but it inspired me, too," stated Hickey. "I never met anyone more concerned with individuals than Rod. On Thanksgiving, I went to his place, to try and make him feel better, and instead he was consoling me, talking about my future, things I had to do now with my career. That's the way he is."