Gerry Cheevers

Gerald Michael Cheevers was born on December 7, 1940, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. His professional hockey career began at the age of 16 in 1956 with the St. Michael’s Majors of the Ontario Hockey Association. He played one game for the Majors in the 1956-57 season and again in 1957-58, before becoming a regular starter in 1959-60. During the 1961 playoffs, Cheevers led the Majors to the J. Ross Robertson Cup, George Richardson Memorial Trophy, and the Memorial Cup championships, securing his first significant shutout in the Memorial Cup finals. Initially owned by the Toronto Maple Leafs, he played two games for them before being drafted by the Boston Bruins in 1965. Prior to becoming the Bruins’ top goalie, he spent six years in the minor leagues, including winning two consecutive Adam’s Cups with the Oklahoma City Blazers in 1966 and 1967.

By 1967, Gerry “Cheesy” Cheevers became the Boston Bruins’ number one goaltender. He quickly established a reputation as a clutch performer, instrumental in the Bruins’ Stanley Cup victories in 1970 and 1972. During the 1971-72 season, Cheevers achieved an NHL record that still stands today, going undefeated in 32 consecutive games. In 1972, he moved to the World Hockey Association, playing three and a half seasons for the Cleveland Crusaders. There, he won the Ben Hatskin Award for best goaltender in 1973 and was named a First All-Star Team goaltender in the same year, also finishing second in league MVP voting. He represented Team Canada in seven games during the 1974 Summit Series. Cheevers returned to the Bruins in the 1975-76 season, continuing to post strong statistics, including another 16-game unbeaten streak in 1978-79, and was selected for the 1979 Challenge Cup as an NHL All-Star. He retired in 1980.

Post-playing career, Cheevers transitioned to coaching, leading the Boston Bruins from 1980 to 1985, achieving a career winning percentage of .604 among NHL coaches with over 250 games coached. Following his coaching stint, he served as a color commentator for the Hartford Whalers from 1986 to 1995 and the Boston Bruins from 1999 to 2002. From 1995 to 2006, he was a member of the Bruins’ scouting staff. His iconic goaltender mask, adorned with stitch marks indicating puck impacts, became one of the most recognizable in hockey history. In 1985, Cheevers was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and in 2010, he became an inaugural member of the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame.