Jack Gelineau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jack Gelineau |
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| Born | November 11, 1924 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
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| Died | November 12, 1998 (aged 74) | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for | Boston Bruins Chicago Black Hawks |
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| Playing career | 1949–1954 | ||
John Edward "Jack" Gélineau BEM (born November 11, 1924 in Toronto, Ontario – died November 12, 1998) was a Canadian ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Boston Bruins and Chicago Black Hawks between 1948 and 1954. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1950. This award is given to the best rookie player in the NHL. Before playing in the NHL, Gélineau was a hero in the Second World War. He even received the British Empire Medal for his brave actions in 1944.
Jack Gélineau's Hockey Journey
During the Second World War, Jack Gélineau played hockey for the Montreal and Toronto RCAF teams. He earned the British Empire Medal (BEM) for being very brave. In 1944, he survived a plane crash. He then rescued an injured crew member from the burning plane. This plane was loaded with ammunition, making his rescue even more dangerous!
After the war, Gélineau played as a goalie for the Montreal Jr. Royals in 1944–45.
From 1945 to 1949, Gélineau attended McGill University. He earned a degree in business. While studying, he was a star goalie for McGill for four seasons. He had an amazing record of 40 wins, 16 losses, and 1 tie. His goals against average was 3.14.
Jack was also a talented athlete in other sports. He played intermediate basketball, football, and varsity baseball. He even had a tryout with the professional baseball team, the Boston Red Sox. Gélineau was the last goalie at McGill to be named team captain. He helped his team, the Redmen, win the Queen's Cup championship in 1946. In 1948, he was the first person to win the Forbes Trophy. This award goes to McGill's best male athlete of the year.
In the spring of 1948, the Boston Bruins called him up to play in the National Hockey League. He was the first goalie in 30 years to play in the NHL while still going to university. Many years later, Ken Dryden also did this while studying law at McGill and playing for the Montreal Canadiens. Jack Gélineau won the Calder Memorial Trophy in the 1949–50 season. This showed he was the NHL's top rookie.
Even with his great start, Jack left the Bruins. He started working for Sun Life Insurance in Montreal. He kept playing senior hockey for the Quebec Aces in the Quebec Senior Hockey League. He also played two games for the Chicago Black Hawks in the 1953–54 season. Gélineau retired from hockey in 1955.
Jack Gélineau passed away on November 12, 1998. This was just one day after his 74th birthday. He is buried at the National Field of Honour in Pointe-Claire, Quebec.
Awards and Special Honors
- Queen's Cup champion in 1946.
- McGill's Male Athlete of the Year in 1948.
- Calder Memorial Trophy winner in 1950.
