1970-71 O-Pee-Chee 183 Gilles Villemure Hockey Card (Front)
Rangers vs. Islanders: Denis Potvin, Mark Messier, and Everything Else You Wanted to Know about New York’s Greatest Hockey Rivalry
Explore the fierce rivalry between the New York Rangers and New York Islanders, featuring legendary figures, unforgettable clashes, and the moments that defined one of hockey’s most intense matchups.
Buy on Amazon1970-71 O-Pee-Chee 183 Gilles Villemure Hockey Card (Back)
1970-71 O-Pee-Chee NHL Checklist
(As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase through the above link)
Card Notes
Still a rookie by Calder Trophy standards in the NHL, Gilles was in the Rangers’ minor professional organization for 10 years before finally getting a chance to share the New York netminding duties. Was the American League’s most valuable player and leading goaltender the past two seasons. Gilles is a harness racing driver in the off-season.
En Français
Gilles est un “nouveau” dans la Ligue Nationale; il passa 10 ans dans l’organization mineure des Rangers avant d’obtenir sa chance de garder les filets de New-York. Durant les deux dernières saisons, joueur le plus utile à son club et meilleur gardien de la Ligue Américaine. Entre les saisons, Gilles participe aux courses de chevaux sous harnais.
Details
Gilles Villemure did retain his rookie status going into the 1970-71 NHL season with the New York Rangers. He had previously appeared in 13 games in the NHL between 1963-64 and 1968-69, all with New York. In 1970-71, he played 34 games in a tandem with Ed Giacomin. The two shared Vezina Trophy honours.
Not quite rookie of the year, Villemure did finish third in Calder Trophy voting. Of course, Gilbert Perreault of the Buffalo Sabres was the runaway winner with Jude Drouin of the Minnesota North Stars finishing second, just a few votes ahead of Villemure.
He recorded four shutouts during the 1970-71 NHL season but these were not the first of his career. Gilles recorded a 35 save blank on November 26, 1967 in a 1-0 win over the St. Louis Blues at Madison Square Garden. The offense was provide by Phil Goyette, a guy that would end up in St. Louis two years later, scoring late in the game at 14:59 of the third on Seth Martin and assisted by Bob Nevin.
Two of his four shutouts in 1970-71 also resulted in 1-0 scores. Two of his four came against the Minnesota North Stars. His busiest blank was a 31 save 2-0 win over the North Stars on November 2, 1970 at MSG. Dave Balon scored the game winner while Bob Nevin added the insurance marker.
Between 1963-64 and 1976-77, Gilles Villemure played 205 regular season and 14 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks. He had back-to-back seasons winning both the Les Cunningham Award and Harry Hap Holmes Award in the AHL with the Buffalo Bisons (1968-69 and 1969-70).