Christopher Gibson Explained

Christopher Gibson
Birth Date:27 December 1992
Birth Place:Karkkila, Finland
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lb:188
Position:Goaltender
Catches:Left
Team:Free agent
Former Teams:New York Islanders
Tampa Bay Lightning
Lukko
Draft:49th overall
Draft Year:2011
Draft Team:Los Angeles Kings
Career Start:2013

Christopher Gibson (born 27 December 1992) is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for Lukko of the Finnish Liiga. Gibson was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round (49th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, although he never played for them, instead signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs, playing in their minor league system before a trade sent Gibson to the New York Islanders.

Early life

Gibson was born in Karkkila, Finland to Peter, an artist and kick boxer from Saint Lucia, and a Finnish mother, Ulla Nurse. He was raised in Espoo, Finland[1] before moving to Saskatchewan at age 15 to attend Notre Dame College.[2] [3]

Playing career

In Gibson's first year at Notre Dame College, the Notre Dame Hounds (Midget AAA) won the Telus Cup national championship (2009).

Following that year at Notre Dame, Gibson was drafted by the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in the first round (16th overall) of the 2009 CHL Import Draft.[4]

Gibson was ranked as the number one goaltender from the QMJHL heading into the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.[5] Selected at 49th overall by the Los Angeles Kings, Gibson was the first goaltender selected from the Canadian Hockey League in the 2011 draft. Unsigned by the Kings, he would re-enter the draft, but was signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs instead.

On 17 September 2015, Gibson was traded by the Maple Leafs, along with four other prospects, to the New York Islanders in exchange for Michael Grabner.[6]

On 2 January 2016, Gibson got his first taste of NHL action coming in relief for Thomas Greiss.[7] Gibson allowed one goal from Patric Hornqvist, but made 16 saves.[7] On 6 April 2016, Gibson got his first NHL start and his first NHL win with the Islanders against the Washington Capitals.[8] Gibson made 29 saves as the Islanders came back from a 3–1 deficit to win 4–3 in overtime. The win clinched the Islanders a spot in the 2016 playoffs.[8]

On 15 August 2016, the Islanders re-signed Gibson to a one-year, two-way contract worth $660,000.[9] On 11 March 2018, Gibson had a 50-save game against the Calgary Flames, becoming the first Islanders' rookie goaltender to do so since Billy Smith made 55 in 1972.[10] [11]

After five seasons within the Islanders organization, Gibson left as a free agent and was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on 9 October 2020.[12] In the pandemic delayed season, Gibson was initially rostered in the Lightning's taxi squad. He appeared in two games with the Lightning, recording a 1-1-0 record, a .875 save percentage and 2.66 goals against average and also played in two AHL games with the Syracuse Crunch, collecting 2 wins, .925 save percentage and 2.51 goals against average.

On July 28, 2021, Gibson signed as a free agent to a one year, two-way contract worth $750,000 with the Florida Panthers.[13] Gibson played exclusively with the Panthers affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers in the 2021-22 season, collecting 7 wins through 14 games.

As a free agent from the Panthers, Gibson went un-signed over the summer before accepting a professional tryout with the Arizona Coyotes. After attending the Coyotes training camp, Gibson was released without a contract during the pre-season on 30 September 2022.[14] On October 14, 2022, Gibson was named to the Coachella Valley Firebirds opening roster for their inaugural season in 2022–23, by agreeing to join the AHL affiliate of the Seattle Kraken on a professional tryout contract.[15] After appearing in one game with the Firebirds, Gibson was signed to an NHL contract by the Kraken, in agreeing to a one-year, two-way contract on October 27, 2022.[16]

International play

At age 17, Gibson represented Finland at the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships in Belarus, winning the bronze medal. Gibson was selected to the Finnish national junior team for the 2012 World Junior Championships in Canada.[17] Gibson turned 19 years old during the tournament.

Career statistics

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPWLT/OTMINGASOGAASV%GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
2008–09Notre Dame HoundsSMHL18161010494612.63.8946603601111.83.926
2009–10Chicoutimi SaguenéensQMJHL29819015929323.50.8844212301303.39.871
2010–11Chicoutimi SaguenéensQMJHL371415822359042.42.9204042191905.20.865
2011–12Chicoutimi SaguenéensQMJHL4827174280913932.97.893189911165813.12.903
2012–13Chicoutimi SaguenéensQMJHL4117184227911743.08.9026243562303.87.898
2013–14Orlando Solar BearsECHL2089211786203.16.892211123401.94.951
2013–14Toronto MarliesAHL125606402602.44.916
2014–15Toronto MarliesAHL4524173260510522.42.9214222311503.90.866
2015–16Bridgeport Sound TigersAHL4219116235110622.70.90910159606.15.860
2015–16New York IslandersNHL41111951103.40.882
2016–17Bridgeport Sound TigersAHL76003801602.52.912
2017–18Bridgeport Sound TigersAHL371914321318642.42.906
2017–18New York IslandersNHL82324272603.65.908
2018–19Bridgeport Sound TigersAHL4022115220110412.84.902422283901.91.927
2018–19New York IslandersNHL200040101.50.941
2019–20Bridgeport Sound TigersAHL25108513806422.78.914
2020–21Tampa Bay LightningNHL2110113502.66.875
2020–21Syracuse CrunchAHL2200120502.51.925
2021–22Charlotte CheckersAHL147528153812.80.90710017207.10.600
2022–23Coachella Valley FirebirdsAHL20105411055522.99.894
2023–24LukkoLiiga154749033802.52.877312179802.68.896
NHL totals164537744303.33.901

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gibson, Christopher – NHL.com – NHL Entry Draft Prospect Profiles . 23 June 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110528144336/http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?dpid=9803# . 28 May 2011 . dead . dmy-all .
  2. Web site: Christopher Gibson. marlies.ca. 13 March 2018.
  3. News: Gibson would be excited to get start against Canada. Vancouver Sun. 27 December 2011.
  4. Web site: 2009 CHL Import Draft: Round 1. leaguestats.com. 27 December 2011.
  5. News: Nugent-Hopkins Ascends Draft Rankings. Fox News . 11 April 2011.
  6. Web site: Islanders acquire five players for Grabner . . 2015-09-17 . 2015-09-17.
  7. Web site: Hornick. Erik. The Skinny: Penguins 5, Islanders 2. NHL.com. 13 March 2018. 3 January 2016.
  8. Web site: Islanders, Lightning, Wild clinch playoff berths. NHL.com. 13 March 2018. 6 April 2016.
  9. Web site: Gibson Agrees To One-Year Deal. NHL.com. New York Islanders. 8 December 2017. 15 August 2016.
  10. Web site: Vickers. Aaron. Gibson, Islanders defeat Flames, end eight-game slide. NHL.com. 14 March 2018. 11 March 2018.
  11. Web site: Pofahl. Kaylee. Islanders snap eight-game skid as rookie goalie Christopher Gibson notches 50 saves. sportingnews.com. 14 March 2018. 12 March 2018.
  12. Web site: Lightning sign Borgman, Gibson . . 9 October 2020 . 9 October 2020.
  13. Web site: Florida Panthers agree to terms with Goaltender Christopher Gibson . . 28 July 2021 . 28 July 2021.
  14. Web site: Coyotes reduce training camp roster . . 30 September 2022 . 30 September 2022.
  15. Web site: Firebirds sign Gibson to PTO . . . October 14, 2022 . October 14, 2022 .
  16. Web site: Kraken sign Gibson to one-year contract . . . October 27, 2022 . October 27, 2022.
  17. Web site: Granlund Bros. go to Alberta. IIHF.com. 27 December 2011.
  18. Web site: QMJHL announce All-Star Team . . 2011-04-07 . 2011-04-07.