John Gibson (ice hockey, born 1993)

Playing career

Amateur

On June 24, 2011, Gibson was drafted in the second round, 39th overall, at the 2011 NHL entry draft by the Anaheim Ducks. Prior to his selection, while still playing with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, he committed himself to playing college ice hockey at the University of Michigan, for the upcoming 2011–12 season. However, on July 27, he opted out of his agreement with Michigan to instead play major junior ice hockey for the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Gibson, who attended Baldwin High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was cut from their hockey team and still went on to make the NHL.

During the following season, 2012–13, Gibson was selected to represent the United States at the 2013 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He was the team's primary goaltender throughout the championship, registering a .955 save percentage and a 1.36 goals against average (GAA) in seven games for the eventual gold medal winners. His save percentage led all goaltenders in the tournament and he was named as the tournament's best goaltender. He was also named to the tournament All-Star Team, as well as named the tournament's most valuable player.

Gibson also won a bronze medal at the 2013 IIHF World Championships with Team USA's senior squad, posting a 1.56 GAA and .951 save percentage in the tournament.

Professional

Anaheim Ducks

Gibson made his professional debut with the Norfolk Admirals, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, on April 19, 2013, playing 40 minutes in relief.

On April 7, 2014, aged 20 years and 297 days, Gibson made his first NHL start for the Ducks following an injury to goaltender Frederik Andersen. Making 18 saves for a shutout, Gibson earned his first NHL win, a 3–0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. In doing so, Gibson became the youngest NHL goaltender to record a shutout in his NHL debut since the Buffalo Sabres' Daren Puppa (20 years, 223 days) performed the feat in the 1985–86 season. Gibson made his Stanley Cup playoff debut with the Ducks in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinal against the Los Angeles Kings. He registered a shutout on 28 shots and was named first star of the game on May 10, 2014. Jonas Hiller, whom Gibson started over, was the last goaltender prior to Gibson to record a shutout in his Stanley Cup playoff debut. The Ducks would win Game 5 at home 4–3 but would lose Games 6 and 7 by scores of 2–1 and 6–2, respectively, with Gibson being pulled in Game 7 after allowing 4 goals on 18 shots.

With the departure of Jonas Hiller via free agency, the Ducks announced that both Frederik Andersen and John Gibson would compete for the number one starting job for the 2014–15 NHL season. Gibson seemed to have performed well enough in the preseason to start opening night against the Pittsburgh Penguins, his hometown team, in which Gibson stopped 33 of 39 shots en route to a 6–4 loss. With Andersen starting off the season strong, Gibson was sent to Norfolk for a weekend to gain some playing time. Afterwards, he was recalled by the Ducks. Upon his return Gibson won his next two starts and lost one, which included a shutout of the Chicago Blackhawks. Gibson then injured his groin while warming up before a game against the Colorado Avalanche. He was estimated to miss six to eight weeks, thus giving Andersen total control of the number one job and the Ducks signed Ilya Bryzgalov as a backup to Andersen in Gibson's absence. After coming off injured reserve, Gibson spent time off with Norfolk. When Andersen went down with an injury, Gibson was recalled. When Andersen returned, the two goalies would rotate in and out of the crease with Gibson at one point being considered as the starter down the stretch with Andersen struggling a bit. Overall, Gibson would post up a record of 13–8 with a 2.60 goals against average and a save percentage of .914%. He did not see a single minute of play during the Ducks postseason run, missing the entire first round due to an upper-body injury. The Ducks went all the way to the Western Conference Finals but fell to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks in seven games.

With the off-season acquisition of Anton Khudobin, rumors sparked of Gibson being traded elsewhere, which was promptly put down by Ducks general manager Bob Murray. On September 21, the Ducks announced that they signed Gibson to a three-year contract extension, worth reportedly $6.9 million. He also began the 2015–16 season with the new AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. When Andersen had the flu, Gibson was recalled on November 24 and started when the Calgary Flames met the Ducks in which the Ducks won 5–3. Gibson started for the next nine games posting a 4–4–1 record. He was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month in December 2016. On January 6, 2016, it was announced that Gibson was selected to his first All-Star Game. Gibson started the first round playoff series with the Nashville Predators, but lost the first two games. Andersen replaced him, but it was not enough and Anaheim was eliminated. Andersen and Gibson combined to win the 2016 William M. Jennings Trophy for the lowest goals scored against. Gibson was also named to the NHL's 2016 All-Rookie Team. However, that offseason, the Ducks traded Andersen to the Toronto Maple Leafs and made Gibson the undisputed starter. The Ducks made the playoffs at the end of the 2016–17 season, however, they were defeated by the Nashville Predators in six games in the Conference Final.

On August 4, 2018, the Ducks re-signed Gibson to an eight-year, $51.2 million contract extension worth $6.4 million annually. He made his second All-Star appearance at the 2019 NHL All-Star Game. Gibson appeared in 46 games (45 starts) going 17–19–8 before being injured in a collision with teammate Jaycob Megna during a 4–0 loss to the Ottawa Senators on February 7, 2019. On February 13, 2019, Gibson was placed on injured reserve by the Ducks, due to head, back, and neck injuries obtained from a collision Megna. He returned to the lineup on March 1 in a 3–0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, making 32 saves on 34 shots. The 2019–20 season marked Gibson's fifth straight 20-win season. During the 2020–21 season marked a downturn in Gibson's performance for the first time, with only a .904 save percentage and a 3.00 goals against average.

Gibson began the 2021–22 season as the team's starter, backed up by Anthony Stolarz and Lukáš Dostál. He began the season demanding a turnaround in the team's play. He was named to the 2022 NHL All-Star Game representing the Ducks for the third time. The Ducks were in the playoff race until the All-Star Game, which they followed up with a losing skid and never got back in. They ended up missing the playoffs. This was reflected in Gibson's play, which saw him struggle following the All-Star Game. During the 2022–23 season, Gibson again played on a struggling Ducks team, leading or among the leaders in saves during the majority of the season. On March 10, 2023, Gibson set a new franchise record for career saves with the team, surpassing Guy Hebert's mark of 11,813 in a 3–1 victory over the Calgary Flames. The Ducks failed to make the postseason for the fifth straight year.

Detroit Red Wings

On June 28, 2025, at the 2025 NHL entry draft, Gibson's 12-year tenure with the Ducks came to an end when he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for fellow goaltender Petr Mrázek and two draft picks.

International play

Gibson represented Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honors

References

References

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12. (April 7, 2014). "Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver Canucks – 4/7/2014". [[National Hockey League]].
13. Stewart, Monte. "Ducks' Gibson records shutout in NHL debut". Yahoo! Sports.
14. (May 11, 2014). "In playoff debut, John Gibson shuts out Kings to even series at 2-2". ESPN.
15. (May 17, 2014). "Kings eliminate Ducks using first-period barrage in Game 7 rout". ESPN.
16. Pugmire, Lance. (September 24, 2014). "Ducks goalies Frederik Andersen, John Gibson in friendly competition". Los Angeles Times.
17. (October 10, 2014). "Sidney Crosby, Pens down Ducks despite Corey Perry hat trick". ESPN.
18. (December 17, 2014). "Ducks assign goalie John Gibson to AHL Norfolk, likely for season".
19. Pugmire, Lance. (February 10, 2015). "Ducks put Frederik Andersen on injured reserve, recall John Gibson". Los Angeles Times.
20. Hammond, Rich. (April 25, 2015). "Gibson returns, but Ducks pleased with Andersen in goal". The Orange County Register.
21. Ask, Mathias. (May 31, 2015). "Chicago Blackhawks back in Stanley Cup final after Game 7 win over Ducks". The Guardian.
22. Teaford, Elliott. (January 5, 2016). "Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson is one rookie who hasn't played like one". Los Angeles Daily News.
23. (January 6, 2016). "Perry, Gibson Named to 2016 NHL All-Star Game". National Hockey League.
24. Whicker, Mark. (June 21, 2016). "Anaheim Ducks put all their chips on John Gibson after they trade Freddie Andersen". Los Angeles Daily News.
25. Beacham, Greg. (August 4, 2018). "Ducks agree to 8-year extension with goalie John Gibson". CBC Sports.
26. (June 22, 2016). "NHL unveils 2015-16 NHL All-Star Teams, All-Rookie Team". Sportsnet.
27. Teaford, Elliott. (October 21, 2021). "Ducks 2021-22 preview: John Gibson says time is now for a turnaround". The Orange County Register.
28. (August 4, 2018). "Ducks give John Gibson 8-year extension on his wedding day".
29. (January 26, 2019). "Column: Long night for Vezina-worthy John Gibson at NHL All-Star game". Los Angeles Times.
30. (February 13, 2019). "Gibson placed on injured reserve by Ducks". National Hockey League.
31. Coppinger, Mike. (March 1, 2019). "John Gibson's return can't save Ducks in 3-0 loss to Golden Knights". Los Angeles Times.
32. (March 6, 2020). "John Gibson excels before leaving with apparent injury as Ducks defeat Maple Leafs". Los Angeles Times.
33. Wyshynski, Greg. (January 11, 2021). "Anaheim Ducks 2021 season preview: Can John Gibson return to elite form?". ESPN.
34. Teaford, Elliott. (January 13, 2022). "Ducks' John Gibson selected to All-Star team; Troy Terry snubbed". The Orange County Register.
35. (April 12, 2022). "Anaheim Ducks picking up coach Dallas Eakins' contract option for 2022-23 season". ESPN.
36. Stephens, Eric. (September 14, 2022). "Will Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson rebound, or are there other options?". The Athletic.
37. (March 10, 2023). "John Gibson sets Ducks' all-time saves record in victory over Calgary". The Orange County Register.
38. Greenspan, Dan. (March 19, 2023). "Ducks eliminated from playoff contention in loss to Canucks". Los Angeles Times.
39. (June 28, 2025). "Ducks acquire Mrazek, Second and Fourth round picks from Detroit for Gibson". [[Anaheim Ducks]].
40. (January 4, 2016). "Ducks' Gibson named Rookie of Month for December". [[National Hockey League]].
41. Seidel, Mark. (April 26, 2011). "Prospects report from world Under 18s". [[CBC Sports]].
42. "USA Hockey Honors USHL Players, Coach, Alumni :: USHL.COM".