Bruce Gamble facts for kids

Bruce George Gamble was a professional ice hockey goalie. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1962 and 1972. He also spent some time playing in minor leagues during his career. Bruce was born on May 24, 1938, and passed away on December 29, 1982.

Bruce Gamble's Early Hockey Days

Bruce Gamble started his hockey journey in junior leagues. He played three seasons with the Port Arthur Bruins. This was between 1953 and 1955. In the 1955–56 season, he helped the Port Arthur North Stars. They made it to the Memorial Cup, a big junior hockey championship.

He went to the Memorial Cup again the next year. This time, he played for the Guelph Biltmores. He was even chosen for the 1957 OHA first All-Star team. Bruce made it to the Memorial Cup for a third time. This was with the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens the following year.

Bruce Gamble's Pro Hockey Career

Bruce Gamble began his professional career with the Vancouver Canucks. They were part of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He also played two games in the NHL for the New York Rangers. Other NHL teams noticed his talent. The Boston Bruins picked him in the 1959 intra-league draft. This is when teams can choose players from other teams.

After a year with the Providence Reds, Bruce became their main goalie. This was in the 1960–61 season. For the next four seasons, he mostly played in minor leagues. He played for teams like the Portland Buckaroos and Springfield Indians. The Bruins called him up for 28 games in 1961–62.

In the 1964–65 season, Bruce did not want to go back to the minor leagues. So, the Bruins suspended him for the whole season. The next year, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs

When Bruce first joined the Maple Leafs, he was a backup goalie. He played behind famous goalies like Johnny Bower and Terry Sawchuk. In March 1966, he had an amazing streak. He recorded four shutouts in just six games. A shutout means the goalie stops every shot and doesn't let the other team score.

In the 1966–67 season, the Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup. Bruce played in 23 regular season games that year. However, he was sent to the Tulsa Oilers (a minor league team) before the trade deadline. Because of this, his name was not added to the Stanley Cup.

After Terry Sawchuk left in the 1967 NHL expansion draft, Bruce played more for the Leafs. He became a strong and reliable goalie. He played in 41 games in 1967–68. He played 62 games in 1968–69 and 52 games in 1969–70. He was chosen for the 1968 NHL All-Star game. He was even named its Most Valuable Player!

Bruce was the last Maple Leafs goalie to play without a mask. He finally started wearing one in 1970–71. On January 31, 1971, Bruce was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. This was part of a big three-team deal.

Time with the Philadelphia Flyers

With the Flyers, Bruce mostly served as a backup goalie. He played behind Doug Favell for the rest of that season. He appeared in 11 regular season games and two playoff games. The next year, he started to compete for the main goalie spot.

He played very well for a while. But on February 8, 1972, he had a health issue during a game. It was a 3-1 victory against the Vancouver Canucks. He didn't complain during the game. But his chest pains continued afterward. He was taken to a hospital in Oakland. Doctors found that he had suffered a heart attack. Bruce Gamble never played in the NHL again after this.

Bruce Gamble passed away on December 29, 1982. He was 44 years old. This happened after he had practiced with an old-timers hockey team the night before.

Clearing Up Some Stories About Bruce Gamble

Because Bruce Gamble had health issues after playing hockey, some stories have spread. People sometimes say he was taken to the hospital during the 1972 NHL game. Others say he "died during an old-timers game."

However, neither of these stories is quite right. Bruce finished the game after his first health issue. His second health issue happened the morning after a practice session. He was not on the ice when it happened.