BY MICHAEL GARDNER – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
The numbers behind Doug Gilmour’s career have put him into the Hall of Fame. However, it is the stories behind the numbers that have put him into our memories.
Here are but a few of mine, and after you read this, I want to hear from you below on what you remember most about Doug Gilmour.
A Kiss is Just a Kiss
During Calgary’s 1989 Stanley Cup run, Gilmour appeared on Coach’s Corner and kissed Don Cherry for good luck. Not so coincidentally, the Flames went on to win their first and only Cup. Years later, Cherry would plant one on Gilmour as well.
The Trade
With all apologies to the Flames, the trade that brought Gilmour to Toronto may be considered to be one of the best ever pulled off by a general M]manager in the NHL. At the very least, it certainly defined the career of Cliff Fletcher. Along with Jamie Macoun, Ric Nattress, Rick Wamsley and Kent Manderville, Gilmour was sent to Toronto in exchange for Gary Leeman, Alexander Godynyuk, Jeff Reese, Craig Berube and Michel Petit.
The trade brought more than just immediate success to the Leafs. It brought hope. The following season, the Leafs reached the Conference finals for the first time since 1977. A video, “The Passion Returns” was created to capture the optimism that was sweeping the nation. They would return to the conference finals the following season as well.
The Goal
Game 1 of their second round series with the St. Louis Blues in the spring of 1993. A scoreless game, double overtime, and a sensational future-Leaf Curtis Joseph in net. Gilmour’s deke and wraparound won Game 1 1-0 at the old Maple Leaf Gardens.
Injustice
Conference Finals. LA Kings. Kerry Fraser. Wayne Gretzky. Game 6. Overtime. High Stick. Nothing more to say.
Selke Trophy
In 1993 he became the first Leaf to win an award since Dave Keon took home the Conn Smythe in 1967, Gilmour pocketed the Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward. A pretty high honour for a player that contributed a franchise-record 127 regular season points, 35 playoff points and 100 penalty minutes in that campaign.
The Feathered Mullet
No one could rock a “Neck Blanket” like Gilmour. Throughout the 1980s, his feathered coif had both men and women jealous. Not only did it have the necessary length to be classified as an official “Tennessee Tophat”, it also had gravity defying height. Gilmour’s playing height was actually close to 6’8” if you factor in both his skates and hair.
Shortened Homecoming
During the 2003 season, Gilmour was traded back to the Leafs from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 6th round pick. What was to be a final shot at a Cup in Toronto ended in disappointment.
Perhaps it was karma coming back to haunt the Leafs for fleecing Calgary in THE Trade years earlier or perhaps it was foreshadowing disappointment to follow. Whatever the case, in his very first shift, Gilmour collided with Dave Lowry of the Flames. That hit ended his season and his career and the Leafs have only made the playoffs once since his retirement.
Whether you favour his contribution to the fastest two short-handed goals record, the six assists in one game, or the back-to-back trips to Conference finals, Gilmour’s contributions were usually highlight.
Now Fan Fuel wants to here from the other fans out there, Leafs or not, what you remember most from Doug Gilmour’s career – be it good or bad depending on who your team is! And Flames fans, have you forgiven Doug Risebrough for making the Gilmour trade? Or was there nothing to forgive in the first place since he helped bring you a Stanley Cup?
Please add your thoughts below.