Left-winger Jere Gillis played nearly 400 NHL games in the 70s and 80s. He was a decent two-way player but more was expected of him after a stellar amateur career.
Born in Bend, Oregon, Gillis was chosen fourth overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 1977 after scoring 140 points for the Sherbrooke Beavers. That year he was named to the QMJHL first all-star team and led the Beavers to the Memorial Cup where he earned a place on the tournament all-star unit.
Gillis enjoyed a fine rookie season in 1977-78 with 23 goals while playing on a line with Mike Walton and Rick Blight. He was unable to build on his strong freshman performance and turned in consecutive 13-goal performances before he was traded to the New York Rangers. Over the next several years he was a utilty player with the Blueshirts, Quebec Nordiques, Buffalo Sabres, the Canucks a second time, and the Philadelphia Flyers.
Gillis retired in 1987 then returned to the game a year later with Britain's Solhill Bulls. He also skated with the Peterborough Pirates then coached the Tellford Tigers in 1991-92 before leaving the game.
