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Gerald Michael Cheevers (born December 7, 1940) is a Canadians former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) and World Hockey Association (WHA) between 1961 and 1980. Cheevers is best known for his two stints with the Boston Bruins, whom he helped win the Stanley Cup in 1970 and 1972. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985.
He was the first to decorate his goaltender mask with stitch markings where a puck had struck, leading to the contemporary tradition of goaltenders decorating their masks with distinctive stitches.
The right to sign him to an NHL contract was held by the Toronto Maple Leafs (with whom he played two games) until the Boston Bruins drafted him in 1965, despite Toronto general manager Punch Imlach trying to slip Cheevers through unselected by listing him as a forward. In the 1964–65 season he won 48 games in leading the Rochester Americans to their first Calder Cup championship, becoming the final goaltender in league history to play every game (coincidentally, he did this one season after his future Bruins teammate Eddie Johnston was the final goaltender to do so in the NHL). Cheevers still holds the AHL record for most victories in a season by a goaltender.
He was claimed that offseason by the Boston Bruins in the Intra-League Draft and saw his first action with the Bruins in the 1966 season, although he spent the bulk of the next two years with the Bruins' farm club, the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Professional Hockey League. During the 1965-66 season Cheevers would help lead the team to the Adam’s cup going 8-1 in the playoffs. Then in the following year, 1966-67 Cheevers would go 8-3 in the playoffs as he and the Blazers would repeat as Adam’s cup champions.
With the six-team expansion in 1967, and the Bruins losing goaltenders Bernie Parent and Doug Favell to the expansion Philadelphia Flyers, Cheevers became the number one goaltender in Boston for the next five seasons.
Cheevers would put up good numbers for the Bruins in his first two years as their starter in 1967-68 and 1968-69. However the following year Cheevers would have a break out year going 24-8-8 with a 2.72 GAA. Then going a nearly perfect 12-1 in the postseason as he and the Bruins won the 1970 Stanley Cup. But the best was yet to come as two seasons in 1971-72 he went 27-5-8 and had a 2.50 GAA. Then during the postseason he once again helped lead the Bruins to another Stanley Cup victory in 1972. Throughout this time he started gaining a reputation as a driven, "money" goaltender. Cheevers held the Boston Bruins' record for most playoff wins by a goaltender (with 53) until it was surpassed by Tuukka Rask in 2021. Cheevers had held the record since 1977 when he surpassed Frank Brimsek mark of 32.
In 1972, he went undefeated in 32 consecutive games, an NHL record that still stands.
He was known for playing his best when the lights were the brightest. Formers Bruins general manager Milt Schmidt once stated in his 2002 book that “Cheesy (Cheevers) was a big-money player, one of the greatest, Without Fear. When the need was there to make one big save to save a game, Cheesy was there."
In the fall of 1972, he jumped to the fledgling World Hockey Association, where he played three and a half seasons for the Cleveland Crusaders. In his first year with the team during the 1972-73 season Cheevers went 32-20 overall with a 2.84 GAA. He also got the very 1st Shutout in the history of the WHA vs Quebec Nordiques on October 11, 1972.
He would continue to be one of the best goaltenders in the league being named a Second All-Star Team in 1974 and 1975. In 1974, he played seven of the eight games for Team Canada in the 1974 Summit Series. Cheevers sat out the third game since his father was gravely ill in hospital. Throughout his 3 and a half years in the WHA Cheevers played in the all star game every single year in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976.
Cheevers returned to the Bruins during the 1975–76 season after a financial dispute with the Crusaders' management. In his final four years with the Bruins Cheevers continued to put up remarkable numbers, going 95-37-29, with a 2.88 GAA. This included another lengthy unbeaten streak of 16 games during the 1978-79 season. Cheevers was also selected as a NHL all star for the 1979 challenge cup. In the 1979–80 season Cheevers and Gilles Gilbert were runners-up for the Vezina Trophy, which was won by Don Edwards and Bob Sauvé of the Buffalo Sabres. He retired at the end of that season.
Cheevers had a career NHL goals against average of 2.89, recorded 230 NHL wins, played in 419 NHL games, and registered 26 NHL shutouts. He is second in the WHA's history in career GAA and shutouts, even though he played during only half the league's existence. If one combines both their NHL and WHA statistics, Gerry Cheevers (329), Mike Liut (325), and Bernie Parent (304) all would have at least 300 wins. Cheevers was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985, and is one of the few goaltenders in the Hall to have never been named to the All-Star Team or won the Vezina Trophy in the National Hockey League. He would later be inducted as an inaugural member into the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame in 2010.
Not a "stand-up" goalie, Cheevers could often be found on his knees or even his side. He perfected this "flopping" style while playing for Rochester during the 1962–63 season. Americans' coach Rudy Migay had Cheevers practice without his stick, thus requiring him to rely more on using his body and his pads.
His former coach Don Cherry has referred to him as "the best ever to play the game."
Years later, goalie Steve Shields paid tribute to Cheevers when he played for the Bruins in 2002 and 2003, sporting a modern airbrushed version of the stitch-covered mask. In 2008, The Hockey News rated his mask the greatest ever by a wide margin. It received 221 of a possible 300 points; Gilles Gratton's mask was rated second with 66.
Cheevers's mask design has appeared in rock-n-roll culture. Black Veil Brides' lead singer Andy Biersack cited it as the reason he got interested in hockey and played goalie when he was younger. In homage to Cheevers, Biersack painted stitches on his face for live shows.
Cheevers was replaced by Sinden in the middle of the 1984–85 season. With a record of 204–126–46, he ranks seventh in career winning percentage (.604) among NHL coaches with more than 250 games experience.
Despite never having a losing record Cheevers was criticized by media for maintaining the same relaxed demeanor he had during his playing days. Cheevers later stated "After that, I decided I never wanted to coach again,” "It's just too tough. You have to be a 24/7 guy, and I just don't think I'm that type."
Cheevers also devoted time to Thoroughbred racing. His most successful runner was the Grade 1 winner Royal Ski. who was the country's leading 2-year-old money winner in 1976, finishing ahead of Seattle Slew. Cheevers frequently made allusions to horse racing during interviews. After playing a particularly good game in the 1972 Stanley Cup playoffs, Cheevers told reporters he "felt like Riva Ridge"—the horse that had recently won the 1972 Kentucky Derby. However, after Royal Ski was sidelined with a virus Cheevers stepped away from the sport, convinced that racing was not his game. He later stated "I don't own horses or watch racing anymore," "I got spoiled with a really good horse, and I got out of it."
Rob was a hockey player himself, playing three seasons as a center for Boston College.
Cheevers was also involved in charitable efforts raising money for the Ace Bailey Children's Fund, named after his former teammate Garnet Bailey. In 2011, after the Bruins won the Stanley Cup, Cheevers brought the Cup to the American Nutrition Center in Everett to help raise money for the Cystic fibrosis Foundation.
In 2015 Cheevers received the Hockey Legacy Award from The Sports Museum. He now spends time in Boca Raton, Florida where he enjoys playing golf, as well as taking trips to Boston to visit his grandchildren. He is also involved with the Boston Bruins as a part of their Alumni Association.
| 1956–57 | St. Michael's Midget Majors | THL | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1956–57 | St. Michael's Majors | OHA-Jr. | 1 | — | — | — | 60 | 4 | 0 | 4.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1957–58 | St. Michael's Majors | OHA-Jr. | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 | 0 | 3.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1958–59 | St. Michael's Buzzers | MetJHL | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1958–59 | St. Michael's Majors | OHA-Jr. | 6 | — | — | — | 360 | 28 | 0 | 4.67 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1959–60 | St. Michael's Majors | OHA-Jr. | 36 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 2,160 | 111 | 5 | 3.08 | — | 10 | — | — | 600 | 33 | 0 | 3.30 | — |
| 1960–61 | St. Michael's Majors | OHA-Jr. | 30 | 12 | 20 | 5 | 1,775 | 94 | 2 | 3.18 | — | 20 | — | — | 1,200 | 52 | 1 | 2.60 | — |
| 1960–61 | St. Michael's Majors | Memorial Cup | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 7 | 2 | 540 | 21 | 1 | 2.33 | — |
| 1961–62 | Sault Thunderbirds | EPHL | 29 | 13 | 13 | 3 | 1,740 | 103 | 1 | 3.55 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1961–62 | Pittsburgh Hornets | AHL | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 300 | 21 | 0 | 4.20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1961–62 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 120 | 6 | 0 | 3.00 | .905 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1961–62 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 19 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 1,140 | 69 | 1 | 3.63 | — | 2 | 2 | 0 | 120 | 8 | 0 | 4.00 | — |
| 1962–63 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 19 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 1,140 | 75 | 1 | 3.95 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1962–63 | Sudbury Wolves | EPHL | 51 | 17 | 24 | 10 | 3,060 | 212 | 4 | 4.15 | — | 8 | 4 | 4 | 485 | 29 | 1 | 3.59 | — |
| 1963–64 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 66 | 38 | 25 | 2 | 4,359 | 195 | 3 | 2.84 | — | 2 | 0 | 2 | 120 | 8 | 0 | 4.00 | — |
| 1964–65 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 72 | 48 | 21 | 3 | 4,359 | 195 | 5 | 2.68 | — | 10 | 8 | 2 | 615 | 24 | 0 | 2.34 | — |
| 1965–66 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 7 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 340 | 34 | 0 | 6.00 | .829 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1965–66 | Oklahoma City Blazers | CPHL | 30 | 16 | 9 | 5 | 1,760 | 73 | 3 | 2.49 | — | 9 | 8 | 1 | 540 | 19 | 0 | 2.11 | — |
| 1966–67 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 22 | 5 | 10 | 6 | 1,284 | 72 | 1 | 3.33 | .896 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1966–67 | Oklahoma City Blazers | CPHL | 26 | 14 | 6 | 5 | 1,520 | 71 | 1 | 2.80 | — | 11 | 8 | 3 | 677 | 29 | 1 | 2.57 | — |
| 1967–68 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 47 | 23 | 17 | 5 | 2,646 | 125 | 3 | 2.83 | .907 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 240 | 15 | 0 | 3.75 | .895 |
| 1968–69 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 52 | 28 | 12 | 12 | 3,112 | 145 | 3 | 2.80 | .912 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 572 | 16 | 3 | 1.68 | .947 |
| 1969–70 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 41 | 24 | 8 | 8 | 2,384 | 108 | 4 | 2.72 | .919 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 781 | 29 | 0 | 2.23 | .925 |
| 1970–71 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 40 | 27 | 8 | 5 | 2,400 | 109 | 3 | 2.73 | .918 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 360 | 21 | 0 | 3.50 | .892 |
| 1971–72 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 41 | 27 | 5 | 8 | 2,420 | 101 | 2 | 2.50 | .920 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 483 | 21 | 2 | 2.61 | .915 |
| 1972–73 | Cleveland Crusaders | WHA | 52 | 32 | 20 | 0 | 3,144 | 149 | 5 | 2.84 | .912 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 548 | 22 | 0 | 2.41 | .921 |
| 1973–74 | Cleveland Crusaders | WHA | 59 | 30 | 20 | 6 | 3,562 | 180 | 4 | 3.03 | .906 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 303 | 18 | 0 | 3.56 | .908 |
| 1974–75 | Cleveland Crusaders | WHA | 52 | 26 | 24 | 2 | 3,076 | 167 | 4 | 3.26 | .905 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 300 | 23 | 0 | 4.60 | — |
| 1975–76 | Cleveland Crusaders | WHA | 28 | 11 | 14 | 1 | 1,570 | 95 | 1 | 3.63 | .886 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1975–76 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 15 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 900 | 41 | 1 | 2.73 | .902 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 392 | 14 | 1 | 2.14 | .917 |
| 1976–77 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 45 | 30 | 10 | 5 | 2,700 | 137 | 3 | 3.04 | .882 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 858 | 44 | 1 | 3.08 | .865 |
| 1977–78 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 21 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 1,086 | 48 | 1 | 2.65 | .887 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 731 | 35 | 1 | 2.87 | .883 |
| 1978–79 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 43 | 23 | 9 | 10 | 2,509 | 132 | 1 | 3.16 | .865 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 360 | 15 | 0 | 2.50 | .891 |
| 1979–80 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 42 | 24 | 11 | 7 | 2,479 | 116 | 4 | 2.81 | .881 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 619 | 32 | 0 | 3.10 | .875 |
| 1974 | Canada | SS | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 420 | 24 | 0 | 3.43 |
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