Jan Levine: RIP Rod Gilbert, one of the best and classiest players in NHL history A major loss for the franchise

This one's rough. My dad used to work with him in the 90s as his business was down the block from MSG. Not sure 100% how Rod was involved with his company but my father was always retelling me the stories Rod would tell him when I was a kid. My first autographed piece of hockey gear is a puck that Rod signed for me and I remember proudly having it in my pocket when I rode my bike to my fellow diehard NYR fan friends house. RIP to the man who came to NY and never left

Terrible news.
Huge loss for the organization. He was a fantastic ambassador for the team and very fan friendly. Was always shown in public with a big grin on his face. Truly a class act.
Oh, by the way he was a GREAT hockey player too!

It has been mentioned recently that Henrik may take a job with the Rangers similar to Gilbert. Hank will certainly have very big shoes to fill.

RIP Mr. Gilbert.

I am literally shattered right now.

RIP #7, you will never be forgotten, such a sad day.

I remember him playing the Wings at the old Olympia in the late '60s. He was always great to watch. Him, Orr, Keon, Beliveau and Hull were my favorite non-Wings to watch!
Gilbert was 2nd to only Howe in goals when he retired! (as a RW)
RIP MR Ranger!

Rest In Peace Rod

I was lucky enough to get to watch you play when I was a kid
No one has been a better ambassador for hockey, and no one had more class than you.
You will always be remembered, glad we can look up and see your Jersey in the rafters

Class all the way. A true gentleman.!

Cheers sir..

R.I.P., Rod Gilbert, one of my favorite Rangers.

RIP Mr Gilbert. True gentleman

Mr. Ranger, man it's such a shocker

he's the kind of man I thought would live forever

I really wish he had gotten to see one more Cup

I used to watch the Ranger telecasts in the late 60s and early 70s with Jim Gordon and Bill Chadwick on the call. Between periods they occasionally read and answered viewer mail questions on air. One kid, apparently unfamiliar with French-Canadian names, misheard Gordon's clipped delivery of "Rod Gilbert" during the play-by-play and wrote in to say that her favorite Ranger was "Roger Bear." They had a good laugh and Gordon promised to better enunciate when calling the games.

very sad - RIP Rod.

my wife had met him while he was a patient at her hospital last year - he was undergoing treatments and got to talking w/ him. said he was such a sweet man and very friendly. called me up asking who rod gilbert was, but she was pronouncing his last name wrong lol

met him a few time passing at MSG for season ticket holder poop - was way before my time but what a legend; and the best ambassador for the franchise we could have asked for.

Opening night is 49 days away and the question at center still remains.

Opening night is 49 days away and the question at center still remains.
- nyrangers9479

Maybe to the org there is no question

Maybe to the org there is no question
- MeltingPlastic

I just don’t see how u role out 3 guys again that are 46 43 and 42% on draws. And if the answer is Goodrow who is 50% you still have 2 guys that are 46 and 43%.

I just don’t see how u role out 3 guys again that are 46 43 and 42% on draws. And if the answer is Goodrow who is 50% you still have 2 guys that are 46 and 43%.
- nyrangers9479

Unfortunately we just have to hope that all our centers focused on draws all summer.... Chytil I think will get better as he bulks up honestly

Unfortunately we just have to hope that all our centers focused on draws all summer.... Chytil I think will get better as he bulks up honestly
- MeltingPlastic

Barron was like 56% in college or something like that, problem is there’s no room for Chytil on the wings.

Trey Daerr
@TreyDaerr
Some incredibly sad news to pass along. Former Bruins player Jimmy Hayes has died.
Prayers to the Hayes family, his two young children and everyone he touched around the Boston hockey community.

Yikes, awful news

Trey Daerr
@TreyDaerr
Some incredibly sad news to pass along. Former Bruins player Jimmy Hayes has died.
Prayers to the Hayes family, his two young children and everyone he touched around the Boston hockey community.

Yikes, awful news
- eichiefs9

i can't find that news anywhere besides this guys tweet. hopefully its not true but damn if it is

Can't believe no mention by EK on Gilbert passing.

i can't find that news anywhere besides this guys tweet. hopefully its not true but damn if it is
- picklerick

Yea I'm still waiting for the rest of the reports to follow, but the guy does work for a Boston news station and is verified. I guess it's possible he's wrong or got some bad info, but I don't think he'd just be making it up either. Hopefully he's wrong.

edit: tweet was deleted now lol, well happy to be wrong about that one

second edit: now this guy is confirming it, even though the initial tweet was deleted

Shawn Hutcheon
@ShawnHutcheon
Can confirm Trey Daerr's report. Very sad day. I watched Jimmy Hayes play from his youth/minor hockey days to the NHL. The world has lost a very good man. My condolences to Jimmy's family and friends. May he rest in peace eternally.

Yea I'm still waiting for the rest of the reports to follow, but the guy does work for a Boston news station and is verified. I guess it's possible he's wrong or got some bad info, but I don't think he'd just be making it up either. Hopefully he's wrong.

edit: tweet was deleted now lol, well happy to be wrong about that one
- eichiefs9

yeah I am starting to see it confirmed by other people, crazy news, Kevin's brother

Yea I'm still waiting for the rest of the reports to follow, but the guy does work for a Boston news station and is verified. I guess it's possible he's wrong or got some bad info, but I don't think he'd just be making it up either. Hopefully he's wrong.

edit: tweet was deleted now lol, well happy to be wrong about that one
- eichiefs9

either it was wrong or he was asked by the family to take it down?

Bucci Mane
@Buccigross
Former NHL player Jimmy Hayes has died. 31 years old. I just chatted with him last week at a golf course. He leaves behind wife Kristen & two young boys, 2 and 3 months. Also brother Kevin, three sisters and a Mom and Dad. Devastating news for family and Boston hockey community.

There you go