NEW YORK, NY – 1972: Stan Mikita #21 of the Chicago Blackhawks and goalie Gilles Villemure #30 of the New York Rangers follow the play during an NHL game circa 1972 at the Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Melchior DiGiacomo/Getty Images)

7. Gilles Villemure (1964-1975)

  • 184 Games played, 98-53-23, 13 Shutouts, 2.62 Goals Against Average

Gilles Villemure was promoted to the New York Rangers from Baltimore (AHL) to replace injured Jacques Plante in 1963. Villemure played in the minor league of the Rangers organization until 1970 when he became the full-time backup to Eddie Giacomin.

Villemure played in 34 games and together with Giacomin, they won the Vezina trophy as the league’s best goalies. Villemure remained the backup until the 1974-75 season where he was then the number one goalie for the Rangers appearing in 45 games of the 80 played that season.

Villemure started the last two playoff games that season and though he started with the Rangers the following season, he was later traded to the Chicago Blackhawks where he finished out his career.

 NEXT: No. 6 Goalie 

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
A graduate of St. John's University class of '91. I have been a fan of the New York Rangers since the days of Peter Puck. Founder of Ranger Proud, the Facebook page that covers all news, notes, pre /post-game stats, and player quotes. I can be reached at [email protected]