Dennis Gilbert (ice hockey)

Dennis Gilbert (born October 30, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks, 90th overall, in the 2015 NHL entry draft.

Dennis Gilbert
Gilbert with the Calgary Wranglers in 2022
Born (1996-10-30) October 30, 1996 (age 28)
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams
Buffalo Sabres
Chicago Blackhawks
Colorado Avalanche
Calgary Flames
NHL draft 91st overall, 2015
Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career 2018–present

Early life

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Gilbert was born on October 30, 1996,[1] to parents Dennis Sr. and Kim Gilbert.[2] Growing up, he refused to play hockey year round in order to play lacrosse and football.[3]

Playing career

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Gilbert played junior hockey with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres in the Ontario Junior Hockey League and the Chicago Steel in the United States Hockey League (USHL) before he was selected in the third round, 90th overall, in the 2015 NHL entry draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Gilbert played collegiate hockey for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the University of Notre Dame, originally of Hockey East.[4] In his sophomore season with the Fighting Irish in 2016–17, Gilbert helped guide Notre Dame to the Frozen Four and was announced as the Hockey East's Best Defensive Defenseman and a Hockey East Third Team All-Star.

Gilbert concluded his collegiate career following his junior season with the Fighting Irish in the 2017–18 season, turning professional by signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on April 14, 2018.[5]

Entering the final year of his entry-level deal on October 10, 2020, Gilbert was traded by the Blackhawks, alongside Brandon Saad, to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Anton Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov.[6]

Following two seasons in Colorado, Gilbert left as a free agent and was signed to a two-year, $1.525 million contract with the Calgary Flames on July 13, 2022.[7]

At the conclusion of his contract with the Flames, Gilbert opted to leave as a free agent and was signed to a one-year, $825,000 contract with hometown club, the Buffalo Sabres, on July 1, 2024.[8]

Career statistics

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 St. Joseph's Collegiate USHS 27 4 5 9 2
2012–13 St. Joseph's Collegiate USHS 28 12 8 20 21
2013–14 Buffalo Jr. Sabres OJHL 35 4 13 17 36 10 0 3 3 8
2014–15 Chicago Steel USHL 59 4 23 27 89
2015–16 Notre Dame HE 37 2 8 10 34
2016–17 Notre Dame HE 40 0 22 22 22
2017–18 Notre Dame B1G 39 4 6 10 16
2018–19 Rockford IceHogs AHL 63 5 9 14 67
2018–19 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 1 0 0 0 2
2019–20 Rockford IceHogs AHL 30 1 6 7 46
2019–20 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 21 1 2 3 38
2020–21 Colorado Avalanche NHL 3 0 0 0 5
2020–21 Colorado Eagles AHL 17 1 7 8 4
2021–22 Colorado Eagles AHL 52 6 17 23 41
2022–23 Calgary Wranglers AHL 26 2 3 5 41
2022–23 Calgary Flames NHL 23 1 3 4 27
2023–24 Calgary Flames NHL 34 1 6 7 16
NHL totals 82 3 11 14 88

Awards and honors

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Award Year
USHL
All-Rookie Team 2015
College
HE Best Defensive Defenseman 2017
HE Third All-Star Team 2017

References

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  1. ^ "Dennis Gilbert". Elite Prospects. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "#4 DENNIS GILBERT". University of Notre Dame. July 9, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  3. ^ Gleason, Becky (April 20, 2018). "Bucky Gleason: Former St. Joe's star Dennis Gilbert gets last laugh after signing with Blackhawks". Buffalo News. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  4. ^ "Buffalo native Dennis Gilbert recalled by Blackhawks, plays in first NHL game". The Buffalo News. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  5. ^ "Blackhawks agree to terms with Dennis Gilbert". Chicago Blackhawks. April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  6. ^ "Avalanche acquires Saad, Gilbert from Chicago". Colorado Avalanche. October 10, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  7. ^ "Flames sign four free agents, re-sign pair of defenceman". Calgary Flames. July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  8. ^ "Buffalo native Gilbert joins Sabres". Buffalo Sabres. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman
2016–17
Succeeded by