Hall of Fame goalkeeper Ed Giacomin, a six-time All-Star who played the majority of his 13-year NHL career for the New York Rangers, died on Monday. He was 86.
Giacomin won 290 games with 54 shutouts, 267 and 49 of which came in New York. He shared the 1970-71 Vezina Trophy with fellow Rangers goalie Gilles Villemure, as the pair combined to allow the fewest goals of any NHL team that season.
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987, and the Rangers retired his No. 1 jersey in 1989.
“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.
“A six-time NHL All-Star who also led the League in games played four straight seasons, Giacomin routinely heard chants of ‘Ed-die! Ed-die!’ from adoring Madison Square Garden crowds and had his No. 1 retired by the franchise in 1989. We send our condolences to Eddie’s family, friends and the many fans he thrilled throughout his memorable career.”
Born June 6, 1939, in Sudbury, Ontario, Giacomin came up through Eastern Amateur Hockey League, Eastern Professional Hockey League and American Hockey League ranks before he was traded from AHL franchise Providence to the Rangers in 1965.
In his first full season in New York, Giacomin led the NHL in wins (30) and shutouts (nine), earning his first of five straight All-Star nods (two first-team, three second-team).
Giacomin helped the Rangers reach their first Stanley Cup Final since 1950 in 1972, falling in six games to the Boston Bruins. That was the second of four straight semifinal appearances the Rangers made with Giacomin in net after previously having made the semifinals just twice in the prior 12 years.
“Eddie Giacomin was an integral member of the New York Rangers for a decade and personified what being a Ranger is all about, both to his teammates and the Blueshirts faithful,” the Rangers said in a statement. “You cannot discuss the history of this organization and not immediately think of Eddie.
“The great Rod Gilbert called him the heart of their team, and we cannot think of a greater honor to bestow on one of the greatest goaltenders to ever play the game. Our thoughts are with Eddie’s family, friends and teammates during this incredibly difficult time.”
Giacomin was placed on waivers early in the 1975 season, and was claimed by the Detroit Red Wings, for whom he played his final three seasons.
He retired after the 1977-78 season with a 2.82 goals-against average and .902 save percentage across 610 career NHL games. Giacomin played the majority of his career without wearing a mask.
