Gerry Desjardins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gerry Desjardins |
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| Born | July 22, 1944 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 | Los Angeles Kings Chicago Blackhawks New York Islanders Michigan Stags Buffalo Sabres |
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| Playing career | 1965–1978 | ||
Gerry Desjardins (born July 22, 1944) is a Canadian former ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for several teams. These included the Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Islanders, and Buffalo Sabres. He also played one season in the World Hockey Association (WHA) for the Michigan Stags. Gerry Desjardins is remembered for a serious injury that changed how goalies protect themselves.
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Playing Professional Hockey
Gerry Desjardins started his professional hockey journey in 1965. He played for different teams in various leagues. He was a goaltender, which means his job was to stop the puck from going into his team's net. This is a very important and challenging position in ice hockey.
His NHL Career
Desjardins joined the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 1968–69 season. He played for the Los Angeles Kings first. Later, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, where he had some strong performances. He also played for the New York Islanders and the Buffalo Sabres. Playing in the NHL is a dream for many hockey players. It means you are among the best in the world.
Time in the WHA
Besides the NHL, Gerry Desjardins also played in another major league called the World Hockey Association (WHA). He spent one season with the Michigan Stags in the 1974–75 season. The WHA was a rival league to the NHL for a few years. Many talented players competed in both leagues during that time.
A Change for Goalie Safety
Gerry Desjardins' hockey career ended in 1977. This happened after a puck hit him in the eye during a game. This serious injury had a big impact on hockey safety.
New Goalie Masks
Before Desjardins' injury, many NHL goalies used masks made of fiberglass. These masks covered the face but were not always fully protective. After what happened to Gerry, many goalies started to use a different type of mask. They switched to a helmet with a metal cage over the face. This new design offered much better protection.
Rules for Younger Players
The change in goalie masks quickly spread beyond the NHL. Many amateur and junior hockey leagues made new rules. They completely banned the old fiberglass masks. Instead, they made it mandatory for goalies to wear the helmet and cage combination. This rule helped make the game much safer for young players. Gerry Desjardins' injury, though unfortunate, led to important safety improvements in hockey for everyone.
See also
In Spanish: Gerry Desjardins para niños
