Hockey community mourns the loss of longtime Detroit Red Wings legend at age 86
Photo credit: NHL.com
Ed Giacomin, who was a hockey hall of famer, former Detroit Red Wing, and New York Ranger, tragically passed away at the age of 86 today.
Ed Giacomin was a former goalie who spent the majority of his NHL career with the New York Rangers.
The last two seasons of his career were spent in Detroit, where he'd finish in 1977-78.
The Hall of Famer played a total of 610 Games during his professional career with a record of 54 shutouts, 2.82 GAA, 290-208-97, and a.902 save percentage.
Giacomin was a five-time NHL All-Star and revolutionized the position as the first "stickhandling" goalie in the league.
His reliable goaltending would help lead the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1972.
"The National Hockey League mourns the passing of a true original, Hockey Hall of Famer and beloved New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings goaltender Eddie Giacomin," the NHL said in a statement. "One of the first stickhandling goaltenders, Giacomin backstopped the Rangers' surge to the NHL's upper echelon in the early 1970s, reaching four straight semifinals and the Stanley Cup Final in 1972.
Eddie Giacomin's Career and Induction Into The Hall of Fame
The former Red Wings goalie's career started in the minors, where he'd suit up for Clinton, Washington, and New York in the (EAHL), the Eastern Amateur Hockey League. He'd play a year in the (EPHL) Eastern Professional Hockey League with the Montreal Royals in 1959-60, before joining the Providence Reds of the AHL (American Hockey League) a year later.
The Reds would trade him to the New York Rangers on May 18th, 1965, where his NHL career would begin in fits and starts.
His 8-20 record and six ties merited a demotion to the AHL, where he'd hone his game with the Baltimore Clippers, before returning to the NHL.
He'd prove his worth with the Rangers, where he led the league in wins (30) and shutouts (9) in 1972, earning a First-Team All-Star nod. His storied career in New York included a Vezina Trophy and five All-Star nominations.
His short stint in Detroit would begin on October 31st, 1975, when the Red Wings claimed him on waivers. He'd play two seasons wearing the winged wheel and would retire.
Giacomin was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Class of 1987. His passing marks the end of an era that some of us never got to experience in hockey, but often romanticize.
We here at Red Wings Insider send our deepest condolences to the Giacomin family, friends, and colleagues.
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SEPTEMBRE 15 | 251 ANSWERS Hockey community mourns the loss of longtime Detroit Red Wings legend at age 86 Rest in Peace, goalie Eddie Giacomin, a former Detroit Red Wing. | ||
| Rest In Peace | 251 | 100 % |
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