Made of Stars

Greats of the Game...

Gilles Gilbert
2006-07 In The Game
Between The Pipes
- Greats of The Game #90

On a really big "Between The Pipes" kick lately.


Entire sets comprised of goaltender cards (of which I've been lucky enough to obtain a handful).


2006-07 In The Game
Between The Pipes
Total Cards: 150


Most of the "Between The Pipes" sets contain several neatly organized sections within the main set.
Typically some prospects, active stars, and retired stars.
In this case, "Greats of the Game" (spanning card numbers 78-104)

This card features NHL All-Star goaltender Gilles Gilbert.




(other "Greats of the Game" within the set include Resch, Giacomin, Cheevers, Hall, Bower, Wregget, Palmateer, Vachon, Barasso, Hextall, Esposito and Tretiak)




From the back of the card:

"Gilbert first saw NHL action as a member of the Minnesota North Stars from 1969-70 to 1972-73 and his arrival in Boston allowed him to step into a starting role.
The move paid off as he took the team to the Stanley Cup Final in 1973-74 and he appeared in the All-Star Game. He twice won over 30 games in a season and often worked in a tandem with Gerry Cheevers that kept the Bruins near the top of the standings."

While death is inevitable for us all, it's always a bummer to collect a card only to discover that the player has passed away just recently.

Felt compelled to scan the card and learn some more about Gilles Gilbert.
He backstopped the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1974.
(with Boston goaltender Gerry Cheevers defecting to the WHA)

Gilbert also played in the 1974 NHL All-Star Game.

Gilles Gilbert was born in 1949.
Died August 6, 2023 at age 74.

According to Wikipedia:

"Gilbert was a pro scout and goaltending coach for the New York Islanders from 1996 to 2001."

Gilles Gilbert
1976-77 O-Pee-Chee #255

Happened across this card from 1976-77 O-Pee-Chee.
The card seemed to speak to me, so I made sure to add it to my hoard.

Cards of this era are typically stored in toploaders within my collection.

(Previously had just a lone OPC card from this season)

Gilles Gilbert
1976-77 O-Pee-Chee #255
(card back)

Scanned the reverse side of this 1976-77 OPC card because enjoy the color and the cartoon...

Plus, having just a few cards from this era, I really like to take a few moments to appreciate the design.

Relatively primitive at a glance - But they've stuffed a lot of neat stuff on there, along with the vital stats that cleverly blend with the background (but are still legible).

Gilles Gilbert
1981-82 O-Pee-Chee #88

Gilles Gilbert's last NHL season was 1982-83 with the Detroit Red Wings.

Gilbert remained active long after his NHL career, tending goal with the "Greatest Hockey Legends on Ice".



As recently as 2019, he posed for a photograph in goal, striking a classic goaltender pose with goal stick in hand.

Gilles Gilbert with the Boston Bruins.
Absolutely love the stars on his mask.

(note defenceman Ray Bourque wearing jersey number 7)

Found a webpage featuring the same image used on the "Between The Pipes" card - A full un-cropped picture of Gilles Gilbert posing for a photo while he was a member of the Boston Bruins.

Frosty's Hockey World
https://frostyshockeyworld.com/Players/GillesGilbert.aspx