Gerry Cheevers

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Lore & Background

Cheevers' greatest triumphs arrived during his first stint with Boston, where he became the team's number one goaltender following the 1967 expansion. In the 1969–70 season, he started with a shutout streak of 143 minutes and 26 seconds before finishing with a record that contributed to his 59 games played, helping Boston win their first Cup in 29 years. The following year, despite a strong regular season (27–5–8), the Bruins fell in the first round to Montreal. In the 1972 playoffs, splitting time with Eddie Johnston, he went 13–2 with two shutouts, securing Boston's second Cup in three years. Former GM Milt Schmidt later noted in his book that Cheevers was a "big-money player" who made critical saves when needed most.

In Their Own Story

On October 11, 1972, the Cleveland Crusaders began play in the WHA, and Cheevers recorded the league's first-ever shutout against the Quebec Nordiques. That season, he dominated with a 32–20–2 record, leading the league in GAA (2.84), shutouts (5), and save percentage (.912) to win the Ben Hatskin Award as best goaltender. He continued his excellence through 1974, playing seven of eight games for Team Canada in the Summit Series. After a financial dispute with Crusaders management, he returned to Boston on January 26, 1976. On February 8, 1976, he played his first NHL game in nearly four years, recording a 7–0 shutout win over the Detroit Red Wings. His departure from Cleveland was abrupt; when coach Tommy Johnson offered whatever the other team paid, Cheevers revealed the Cleveland offer, to which Johnson replied, "Can't do it, Gerry. Do they need a coach?"

Reader's Guide

Cheevers began his journey at St. Catharines before joining the Toronto St. Michael's Majors in 1956. He became their starting goalie for the 1959–60 season, posting an 18–13–5 record and a 3.08 GAA to win the Dave Pinkney Trophy. In 1961, he led the Majors to three championships: the J. Ross Robertson Cup, George Richardson Memorial Trophy, and the 1961 Memorial Cup. His professional path started in 1961 with the Sault Thunderbirds (EPHL) and Pittsburgh Hornets (AHL), followed by an NHL debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 2, 1961. He spent time with the Rochester Americans, where he became their exclusive starter for two seasons. In his final minor season (1964–65), he became the last goaltender in AHL history to play every game, finishing 48–21–2 with five shutouts and a league-best 2.69 GAA, earning the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award. Boston drafted him in 1965 after Toronto tried to list him as a forward to avoid selection.

Did You Know?

• Cheevers was the final goaltender in AHL history to play every single game of a season, which he accomplished in 1964–65.
• He recorded the first-ever shutout in WHA history on October 11, 1972, against the Ottawa Nationals.
• He started wearing a mask regularly on November 20, 1967, following an injury, and was the first to paint stitch marks on it to represent puck strikes.
• Cheevers played seven of eight games for Team Canada during the historic 1972 Summit Series.

The Rise of a Goaltending Legend

Cheevers played minor hockey at St. Catharines and joined the Toronto St. Michael's Majors in 1956. He became the starting goalie for the 1959–60 season, going 18–13–5 with a 3.08 GAA to win the Dave Pinkney Trophy. In the 1961 playoffs, he led the Majors to the J. Ross Robertson Cup, George Richardson Memorial Trophy, and 1961 Memorial Cup championships. After starting his pro career in 1961 with the Sault Thunderbirds (EPHL) and Pittsburgh Hornets (AHL), he made his NHL debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 2, 1961. He spent time with the Rochester Americans before becoming their exclusive starter for two seasons. In 1963–64, he went 38–25–2 with a 2.84 GAA. In his final minor season (1964–65), he became the last goaltender in AHL history to play every game, finishing 48–21–2 with five shutouts and a league-best 2.69 GAA, winning the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award. Although Toronto tried to list him as a forward to prevent other teams from drafting him, Boston selected Cheevers in 1965. He split time between Boston and the Oklahoma City Blazers (CPHL) in 1965–66 before becoming the Bruins' number one goaltender following the 1967 expansion.

Championship Glory and Record-Breaking Seasons

Cheevers became Boston's primary starter for five seasons after the 1967 expansion. He recorded his first NHL shutout on November 10, 1966, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 1967–68, he started wearing a mask regularly beginning October 11, 1967, and posted a 23–17–5 record with a 2.83 GAA. During the 1969–70 season, he began with a shutout streak of 151 minutes and 26 seconds, finishing 24–8–8 with four shutouts to lead Boston to their first Stanley Cup in 29 years. In 1970–71, despite a strong regular season (27–8–5), the Bruins lost in the first round to Montreal. The following year, Cheevers went undefeated in 32 consecutive games, an NHL record that still stands. He finished 27–5–8 with a career-best 2.50 GAA and .920 save percentage. In the playoffs, he split time with Eddie Johnston, going 6–2 with two shutouts as Boston won their second Cup in three years. Cheevers held the Bruins' record for most playoff wins (53) until it was surpassed by Tuukka Rask in 2021.

The Mask That Changed the Game

Cheevers was the first goaltender to decorate his mask with stitch markings where a puck had struck him, leading to the contemporary tradition of goaltenders decorating their masks. He began wearing a mask regularly on October 11, 1967.

Life After Retirement

Following his retirement in 1980, Cheevers coached the Boston Bruins from 1980 to 1985. He subsequently worked as a commentator for both the Hartford Whalers and the Bruins.