Troy Gamble
Encyclopedia
Troy C. Gamble was a National Hockey League
goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks
from 1987–1992.
as Top Goaltender in the Western Hockey League
for 1984-85 and being named a WHL All-Star First Team after leading the WHL in shutouts and GAA
(2.86) while playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers
, Gamble was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks
in the second round, 25th overall, in the 1985 draft
. Gamble would play another junior season for Medicine Hat before being traded mid year to the Spokane Chiefs
during the 86-87 season, he would also make his NHL debut for Vancouver on November, 22 1986, a five two loss to the Edmonton Oilers
. Vancouver returned him to juniors for the 87-88 season to allow him more playing time and to gain more experience before beginning his NHL career.
Gamble’s NHL career began well as in his rookie season of 1990-91; he would post a 16-16-6 record and a 3.45 GAA while appearing in 47 games, out playing incumbent starter Kirk McLean
who posted a 10-22-3 record with a 3.99 GAA. Gamble would even start in the post season for the Canucks playing a memorable Smythe Division
semifinals match-up against the Los Angeles Kings
. However, due to reoccurring concussion problems Gamble’s career was derailed from PCS
symptoms of to nausea and recurring headaches.
Gamble spent the majority of his career in the minors. He played for 5 teams after his 1991 success and retired following the 1995-96 season as a member of the Houston Aeros
. Gamble still resides in the Houston area and does color commentary for select Aeros games on their radio and internet broadcasts.
while serving as a member of the United States Marine Corps
After attending Stephen F. Austin High in Sugar Land, Texas
Gamble joined the Marine Corp. and a family friend stated that “This was something he wanted to do, even before he got out of high school,” and that “He was anxious to go.” In October 2009 Gamble was sent to Afghanistan as a SAW gunner
near the front lines. Tragically Gamble, 20, was killed after stepping on a land mine
device while on patrol in Helmand province
, Afghanistan.
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
from 1987–1992.
Career
After winning the Del Wilson TrophyDel Wilson Trophy
The Del Wilson Trophy is awarded to the top goaltender of the Western Hockey League.The award is named after Del Wilson, who was the general manager of the Regina Pats when they won the Memorial Cup in 1974.- Winners :...
as Top Goaltender in the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
for 1984-85 and being named a WHL All-Star First Team after leading the WHL in shutouts and GAA
Goals against average
Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
(2.86) while playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers
Medicine Hat Tigers
The Medicine Hat Tigers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League who play out of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Established in 1970, the team has won two national Memorial Cups, five WHL League Championships and seven Division Titles. The Tigers play at the Medicine Hat Arena....
, Gamble was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
in the second round, 25th overall, in the 1985 draft
1985 NHL Entry Draft
The 1985 NHL Entry Draft was the first draft outside of Montreal. The event was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, and attended by 7,000 fans. The National Hockey League teams selected 252 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the...
. Gamble would play another junior season for Medicine Hat before being traded mid year to the Spokane Chiefs
Spokane Chiefs
The Spokane Chiefs are a major junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League based out of Spokane, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Spokane Arena. Their uniforms are similar to those of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens. Spokane consistently ranks in the top 10 in the...
during the 86-87 season, he would also make his NHL debut for Vancouver on November, 22 1986, a five two loss to the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. Vancouver returned him to juniors for the 87-88 season to allow him more playing time and to gain more experience before beginning his NHL career.
Gamble’s NHL career began well as in his rookie season of 1990-91; he would post a 16-16-6 record and a 3.45 GAA while appearing in 47 games, out playing incumbent starter Kirk McLean
Kirk McLean
Kirk Alan McLean is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
who posted a 10-22-3 record with a 3.99 GAA. Gamble would even start in the post season for the Canucks playing a memorable Smythe Division
Smythe Division
The NHL's Smythe Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Clarence Campbell Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of Conn Smythe. It is the fore-runner of the NHL's Northwest Division and NHL's Pacific Division....
semifinals match-up against the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. However, due to reoccurring concussion problems Gamble’s career was derailed from PCS
Post-concussion syndrome
Post-concussion syndrome, also known as postconcussive syndrome or PCS, and historically called shell shock, is a set of symptoms that a person may experience for weeks, months, or occasionally up to a year or more after a concussion – a mild form of traumatic brain injury . PCS may also...
symptoms of to nausea and recurring headaches.
Gamble spent the majority of his career in the minors. He played for 5 teams after his 1991 success and retired following the 1995-96 season as a member of the Houston Aeros
Houston Aeros
The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :...
. Gamble still resides in the Houston area and does color commentary for select Aeros games on their radio and internet broadcasts.
Family tragedy
On March 11, 2010 it was reported that Troy’s son Garrett Gamble was killed in AfghanistanAfghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
while serving as a member of the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
After attending Stephen F. Austin High in Sugar Land, Texas
Sugar Land, Texas
Sugar Land is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area and Fort Bend County. Sugar Land is one of the most affluent and fastest-growing cities in Texas, having grown more than 158 percent in the last decade. In the time period of 2000–2007, Sugar Land also enjoyed a...
Gamble joined the Marine Corp. and a family friend stated that “This was something he wanted to do, even before he got out of high school,” and that “He was anxious to go.” In October 2009 Gamble was sent to Afghanistan as a SAW gunner
M249 light machine gun
The M249 light machine gun , previously designated the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon , and formally written as Light Machine Gun, 5.56 mm, M249, is an American version of the Belgian FN Minimi, a light machine gun manufactured by the Belgian company FN Herstal . The M249 is manufactured in the...
near the front lines. Tragically Gamble, 20, was killed after stepping on a land mine
Land mine
A land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....
device while on patrol in Helmand province
Helmand Province
Helmand is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the southwest of the country. Its capital is Lashkar Gah. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region, providing water for irrigation....
, Afghanistan.