Eddie Giacomin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eddie Giacomin |
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| Hockey Hall of Fame, 1987 | |||
| Born | June 6, 1939 Sudbury, Ontario, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for | New York Rangers Detroit Red Wings |
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| Playing career | 1959–1978 | ||
Edward "Ed" Giacomin (born June 6, 1939) is a Canadian retired ice hockey goaltender. He played for the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings in the NHL from 1965 to 1978. Ed was known for his amazing skills in goal and his competitive spirit.
Contents
Ed Giacomin's Hockey Journey
Ed Giacomin started his professional hockey career in 1959. He first played a few games for the Washington Presidents in the Eastern Hockey League. Interestingly, the team originally wanted his brother, Rollie. But Rollie couldn't play due to work, so he suggested Ed instead!
After playing for a couple of other teams, Ed joined the Providence Reds for the 1960–61 season. This was a big deal, especially after he recovered from serious burns in a kitchen accident. Back then, it was tough to get into the NHL. There were only six teams, so only six main goalie spots! Ed became a star for the Reds for five seasons.
Joining the NHL: New York Rangers
Soon, big NHL teams like the Detroit Red Wings and the New York Rangers noticed Ed. In 1965, the New York Rangers traded three players and their goalie to get Ed. He started strong with the Rangers but then struggled a bit.
However, the next season, Ed got much better. He led the NHL in "shutouts" (when a goalie stops every shot and the other team scores zero goals). He also helped the Rangers reach the playoffs for the first time in nine years!
A Rangers Legend
Ed Giacomin became the Rangers' main goalie for the next nine seasons. He was known as a "stand-up" goalie, meaning he stayed on his skates more often. He was also great at handling the puck with his stick, often leaving his net to play the puck.
From 1967 to 1970, Ed played the most games as a goalie in the league for four years straight. He also led the league in shutouts in 1967, 1968, and 1971. In 1971, he even shared the Vezina Trophy with his teammate Gilles Villemure. This award goes to the best goalie in the NHL.
Ed was very determined. In a 1971 playoff game, a player from the other team, Bobby Hull, skated over Ed's hand. But Ed kept playing! The Rangers won that game, and even the opposing team admired his "guts." In 1972, Ed helped the Rangers reach the Stanley Cup finals, but they lost a tough series to the Boston Bruins.
Moving to Detroit
In 1975, injuries started to affect Ed's play. The Rangers were having a tough season and decided to let go of some older, higher-paid players. Many fans were upset when Ed was put on waivers (meaning other teams could claim him). The Detroit Red Wings picked him up on October 29, 1975.
Just a few days later, the Red Wings played in New York. When Ed skated onto the ice in a Red Wings jersey, the fans gave him a huge, long cheer! They cheered for him throughout the whole game. Rangers fans even booed their own team when they shot at or scored on Ed. They chanted his name, and Ed won the game for the Red Wings! This night was voted one of the 50 greatest moments in MSG history.
Ed played three good seasons for Detroit before retiring on January 17, 1978. He finished his career with 289 wins, 208 losses, and 97 ties.
Life After Playing Hockey
After retiring as a player, Ed Giacomin stayed involved in hockey. In 1979, he worked as a broadcaster for the New York Islanders. He also served as an assistant coach for the Islanders and the Red Wings. Later, he had two stints as a goaltending coach for the Rangers.
Honors and Awards
Ed Giacomin was recognized for his amazing career.
- In 1987, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. This is a huge honor for any hockey player.
- On March 15, 1989, the New York Rangers retired his jersey number 1. This means no other Rangers player will ever wear that number again. He was only the second Ranger to have his number retired, after Rod Gilbert's number 7.
- In a 2009 book called 100 Ranger Greats, Ed was ranked as the 6th best player in the history of the New York Rangers! He was also ranked the second-highest goalie among the 74 goalies who played for the team.
Achievements and Facts
- Named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1967 and 1971.
- Named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 1968, 1969, and 1970.
- Played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1973.
- Won the Vezina Trophy in 1971 (shared with Gilles Villemure).
- Ranks 25th in career wins by a goaltender with 289.
- Ranks 19th in career shutouts with 54.
- His No. 1 jersey was retired by the New York Rangers on March 15, 1989.
- Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987.
Career Statistics
Regular Season and Playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 1957–58 | Commack Comets | NBHL | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1958–59 | Sudbury Bell Telephone | NBHL | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1958–59 | Washington Presidents | EHL | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 240 | 13 | 0 | 3.25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1959–60 | Clinton Comets | EHL | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3.28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1959–60 | New York Rovers | EHL | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4.31 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1959–60 | Montréal Royals | EPHL | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1959–60 | Providence Reds | AHL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 4 | 0 | 4.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1960–61 | Providence Reds | AHL | 43 | 17 | 24 | 0 | 2510 | 183 | 0 | 4.37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1960–61 | New York Rovers | EHL | 12 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 720 | 54 | 0 | 4.50 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1961–62 | Providence Reds | AHL | 40 | 20 | 19 | 1 | 2400 | 144 | 2 | 3.60 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1962–63 | Providence Reds | AHL | 39 | 22 | 14 | 2 | 2340 | 102 | 4 | 2.62 | — | 6 | 2 | 4 | 359 | 31 | 0 | 5.18 | — | ||
| 1963–64 | Providence Reds | AHL | 69 | 30 | 34 | 5 | 4140 | 232 | 6 | 3.37 | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | 120 | 12 | 0 | 6.00 | — | ||
| 1964–65 | Providence Reds | AHL | 59 | 19 | 38 | 2 | 3527 | 226 | 0 | 3.84 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1965–66 | New York Rangers | NHL | 35 | 8 | 20 | 6 | 2036 | 125 | 0 | 3.68 | .874 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1965–66 | Baltimore Clippers | AHL | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 420 | 21 | 0 | 3.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1966–67 | New York Rangers | NHL | 68 | 30 | 27 | 11 | 3981 | 173 | 9 | 2.61 | .917 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 246 | 14 | 0 | 3.41 | .896 | ||
| 1967–68 | New York Rangers | NHL | 66 | 36 | 20 | 10 | 3940 | 160 | 8 | 2.44 | .915 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 360 | 18 | 0 | 3.00 | .909 | ||
| 1968–69 | New York Rangers | NHL | 70 | 37 | 23 | 7 | 4114 | 175 | 7 | 2.55 | .912 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 180 | 10 | 0 | 3.33 | .853 | ||
| 1969–70 | New York Rangers | NHL | 70 | 35 | 21 | 14 | 4148 | 163 | 6 | 2.36 | .916 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 280 | 19 | 0 | 4.07 | .858 | ||
| 1970–71 | New York Rangers | NHL | 45 | 27 | 10 | 7 | 2641 | 95 | 8 | 2.16 | .922 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 759 | 28 | 0 | 2.21 | .913 | ||
| 1971–72 | New York Rangers | NHL | 44 | 24 | 10 | 9 | 2551 | 115 | 1 | 2.70 | .900 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 600 | 27 | 0 | 2.70 | .902 | ||
| 1972–73 | New York Rangers | NHL | 43 | 26 | 11 | 6 | 2580 | 125 | 4 | 2.91 | .899 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 539 | 23 | 1 | 2.56 | .903 | ||
| 1973–74 | New York Rangers | NHL | 56 | 30 | 15 | 10 | 3286 | 168 | 5 | 3.07 | .890 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 788 | 37 | 0 | 2.82 | .895 | ||
| 1974–75 | New York Rangers | NHL | 37 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 2069 | 120 | 1 | 3.48 | .870 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 86 | 4 | 0 | 2.79 | .889 | ||
| 1975–76 | New York Rangers | NHL | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 240 | 19 | 0 | 4.75 | .806 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1975–76 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 29 | 12 | 14 | 3 | 1740 | 100 | 2 | 3.45 | .890 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1976–77 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 33 | 8 | 18 | 3 | 1791 | 107 | 3 | 3.58 | .871 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1977–78 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 516 | 27 | 0 | 3.14 | .893 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 609 | 289 | 209 | 96 | 35,633 | 1,672 | 54 | 2.82 | .902 | 65 | 29 | 35 | 3,838 | 180 | 1 | 2.81 | .897 | ||||
