Gerry Desjardins facts for kids

Gerard Ferdinand Desjardins, born on July 22, 1944, is a Canadian former ice hockey goaltender. He played as a goalie in the National Hockey League (NHL) for several teams, including the Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Islanders, and Buffalo Sabres. He also played one season for the Michigan Stags in the World Hockey Association (WHA). Desjardins' hockey career ended in 1977 after a serious eye injury. This event had a big impact on how goalies protect themselves in hockey.

Gerard Desjardins' Hockey Journey

Gerard Desjardins started his professional hockey career in 1965. He played for different teams in various leagues before joining the NHL. He was known for his skills as a goalie, helping his teams defend their net.

Playing in the NHL

Desjardins joined the Los Angeles Kings in the 1968–69 season. He then played for the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Islanders. In 1974, he also played for the Michigan Stags in the WHA. Later, he joined the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL. He played for the Sabres until his career ended.

Making Hockey Safer

In 1977, Gerard Desjardins suffered a serious eye injury when a puck hit him. This unfortunate event had a lasting effect on ice hockey safety. Before this, many goalies used masks made of fiberglass.

The Change in Goalie Masks

After Desjardins' injury, many goalies in the NHL started to change their masks. They began to switch from fiberglass masks to a new style. This new style included a helmet combined with a cage to protect the face. This design offered much better protection.

New Safety Rules

Because of injuries like Desjardins', many amateur and junior hockey leagues made new rules. They completely banned the old fiberglass masks. Instead, they made it mandatory for players to wear the helmet and cage combination. This change helped make hockey much safer for goalies at all levels of the sport.

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See also

In Spanish: Gerry Desjardins para niños