1966-67 Topps 26 Rod Gilbert Hockey Card (Front)
1966-67 Topps 26 Rod Gilbert Hockey Card (Back)
1966-67 Topps NHL Hockey Card Checklist
Card Notes
Rod has been plagued with back trouble ever since he entered the NHL playing most of his games in a special steel braced corset. This year after a successful operation, Rod is off to his best start scoring three goals in the Rangers opening game.
Details
ERROR! Rod Gilbert had a hat trick for the New York Rangers early in the 1966-67 NHL season. However, it was not in the team’s opening game. In the first game of the season, the Rangers fell 6-3 to the visiting Chicago Blackhawks in a game played at Madison Square Garden. The only time Gilbert got his name on the scoresheet was when he assisted on a second period goal by Don Marshall.
The three goal game came in New York’s second game of the season, a road game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Maple Leaf Gardens. Gilbert scored one in the first and two in the second, all assisted by Phil Goyette. Rod also assisted on the final goal of the game, scored by Wayne Hillman, for a four point night. Goyette would come out with four points, as well, all assists. The game ended up in a 4-4 tie.
After playing just 35 games in 1965-66, Gilbert had an excellent 1966-67 season, having his best season to that point with 28 goals in 64 games, leading the team in that category. Rod would score a career high 43 goals in 1971-72.
Rod Gilbert played 1,065 regular season and 79 Stanley Cup playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1960-61 and 1977-78. His entire NHL career was spent with the Rangers. Gilbert was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982.