Dennis Gilbert (ice hockey) explained

Dennis Gilbert
Birth Date:30 October 1996
Birth Place:Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:198
Position:Defense
Shoots:Left
League:NHL
Team:Buffalo Sabres
Prospect League:AHL
Former Teams:Chicago Blackhawks
Colorado Avalanche
Calgary Flames
Draft:91st overall
Draft Year:2015
Draft Team:Chicago Blackhawks
Career Start:2018

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.

Early life

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

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

Team League GP GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12St. Joseph's CollegiateUSHS27 4 5 9 2
2012–13 St. Joseph's CollegiateUSHS28 12 8 20 21
2013–14Buffalo Jr. SabresOJHL35 4 13 17 3610 0 3 3 8
2014–15Chicago SteelUSHL59 4 23 27 89
2015–16Notre DameHE37 2 8 10 34
2016–17Notre DameHE40 0 22 22 22
2017–18Notre DameB1G39 4 6 10 16
2018–19Rockford IceHogsAHL63 5 9 14 67
2018–19Chicago BlackhawksNHL1 0 0 0 2
2019–20Rockford IceHogsAHL30 1 6 7 46
2019–20Chicago BlackhawksNHL21 1 2 3 38
2020–21Colorado AvalancheNHL3 0 0 0 5
2020–21Colorado EaglesAHL17 1 7 8 4
2021–22Colorado EaglesAHL52 6 17 23 41
2022–23Calgary WranglersAHL26 2 3 5 41
2022–23Calgary FlamesNHL23 1 3 4 27
2023–24Calgary FlamesNHL34 1 6 7 16
NHL totals82 3 11 14 88

Awards and honors

AwardYear
USHL
All-Rookie Team
College
HE Best Defensive Defenseman2017
HE Third All-Star Team2017

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dennis Gilbert . Elite Prospects . November 18, 2021.
  2. Web site: #4 DENNIS GILBERT . July 9, 2018 . University of Notre Dame . November 18, 2021.
  3. News: Gleason . Becky . Bucky Gleason: Former St. Joe's star Dennis Gilbert gets last laugh after signing with Blackhawks . November 18, 2021 . Buffalo News . April 20, 2018.
  4. Web site: Buffalo native Dennis Gilbert recalled by Blackhawks, plays in first NHL game. The Buffalo News. April 5, 2019.
  5. Web site: Blackhawks agree to terms with Dennis Gilbert . . April 14, 2018 . April 14, 2018.
  6. Web site: Avalanche acquires Saad, Gilbert from Chicago . . October 10, 2020 . October 10, 2020.
  7. Web site: Flames sign four free agents, re-sign pair of defenceman . . July 13, 2022 . July 13, 2022.
  8. Web site: Buffalo native Gilbert joins Sabres . . July 1, 2024 . July 1, 2024 .