Dave Gatherum, a former Detroit Red Wings goaltender, made a memorable impact during his brief NHL career.
Debuting on October 11, 1953, he achieved a 22-save shutout against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite only playing three NHL games, he maintained an impressive 1.00 goals-against average and held the record for the longest shutout streak at the start of a career for 58 years.
Called up to replace an injured Terry Sawchuk, Gatherum's second game saw his shutout sequence end at 100:21. He played a part in the Red Wings' 1954 Stanley Cup win. He was later honoured with a championship ring in 2008 by owners Mike and Marian Ilitch. This gesture moved Gatherum, who was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. His story is a testament to his lasting legacy and the respect he earned in the hockey community.
