Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Eddie Giacomin has died at the age of 86, according to NHL.com.
Giacomin played for the New York Rangers from 1965 to 1975, before being claimed off waivers by the Detroit Red Wings four games into the 1975-76 season, the first of three with the franchise. The Sudbury native retired with a 290-209-96 regular-season record in 610 games, which included 54 shutouts, 15,452 saves and a .902% career save percentage.
“The National Hockey League mourns the passing of a true original, Hockey Hall of Famer and beloved New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings goaltender Eddie Giacomin,” the NHL said in a statement shared on its official website Monday (September 15). “One of the first stickhandling goaltenders, Giacomin backstopped the Rangers’ surge to the NHL’s upper echelon in the early 1970s, reaching four straight semifinals and the Stanley Cup Final in 1972.
“A six-time NHL All-Star who also led the League in games played four straight seasons, Giacomin routinely heard chants of ‘Ed-die! Ed-die!’ from adoring Madison Square Garden crowds and had his No. 1 retired by the franchise in 1989. We send our condolences to Eddie’s family, friends and the many fans he thrilled throughout his memorable career.”
Giacomin led the NHL in wins during three consecutive seasons with the Rangers from 1966 to 1969, as well as saves in back to back seasons from 1966 to 1968, and was selected as an All-Star six times in seven years from 1966 to 1973. The goaltender led New York to a 1972 Stanley Cup Final appearance, having lost in six games to the Boston Bruins during his final year with the franchise.
“Eddie Giacomin was an integral member of the New York Rangers for a decade and personified what being a Ranger is all about, both to his teammates and the Blueshirts faithful,” the Rangers said in a statement shared by NHL.com. “You cannot discuss the history of this organization and not immediately think of Eddie.
“The great Rod Gilbert called him the heart of their team, and we cannot think of a greater honor to bestow on one of the greatest goaltenders to ever play the game. Our thoughts are with Eddie’s family, friends and teammates during this incredibly difficult time.”
Recent Comments