Gilles Gilbert

Gilles Gilbert (March 31, 1949 – August 6, 2023) was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the Minnesota North Stars and Detroit Red Wings, but most notably for the Boston Bruins. Born in Saint-Esprit, a small rural municipality in Quebec, to French-Canadian parents, he first drew notice playing in the 1961 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the junior Quebec Aces.

Gilbert played his junior hockey for the Trois-Rivières Reds of the Quebec Junior Hockey League, appearing in 43 games with a 4.44 goals-against average and a 23-18-2 record. He made five appearances in the 1967 Memorial Cup playoffs as the Quebec representatives, competing under the Thetford Mines Canadiens banner, but the team was eliminated in the semifinals. He remained with the Reds in 1967-68, appearing in 46 games and improving to a 4.30 goals-against average, and at age 18 led all goaltenders in the QJHL. He was drafted in the third round of the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft out of the London Knights.