Newz Forum: HOCKEY: Former Canadiens goalie Gerry McNeil dies at 78

MONTREAL (AP) - Gerry McNeil, who won two Stanley Cups as a goaltender with the Montreal Canadiens, has died. He was 78.

The Canadiens announced in a statement Friday that McNeil died on Thursday, but the team didn't release a cause of death.
McNeil, a Quebec City native, won his first Cup in the 1952-53 season and was part of the 1956-57 team that won the second of five straight NHL titles. He also played in three All-Star games in the early part of the decade.

After the 1956-57 season, McNeil played four more seasons in minor professional leagues before retiring.

McNeil had a 2.36 goals-against average with 28 shutouts in 276 career regular-season NHL games. In 35 postseason games, McNeil had a 1.89 GAA with five shutouts.

A lifelong Canadiens fan, McNeil met with current Montreal goaltender Jose Theodore at the end of this season. The two donned each other's equipment to compare and better understand their respective eras.