‘Uncle Gibby’ Tom Gilbert brought more than experience to Hershey

Tyler Lewington already had a connection to Tom Gilbert when the veteran NHL defenseman arrived in Hershey. Actually, it was better than a connection: it was a pair of Gilbert’s skates.

“I bought a used pair of his skates when I was younger,” said Lewington during the Bears locker cleanout day. “He’s a guy everyone looks to; he’s got a calming factor. If you’re having a bad game or whatever the case may be, he puts you at ease. Off the ice, he was the best. We called him Uncle Gibby.”

Gilbert arrived in Hershey after being traded from Los Angeles in February. The 34-year-old defenseman joined the Bears to give some stability to the Bears back end after Capitals prospect Madison Bowey sustained a major injury.

Immediately, Gilbert began to make an impact on the team, especially on some of the younger players like Colby Williams. “Last year when I came down I remember they had some older guys,” said Williams. “Both goalies, [Justin] Peters and [Dan] Ellis, were the nicest guys I’ve ever met. You’d never know how many NHL games they played, and it’s the exact same with Tom.

“You would have no idea that he’s had such a successful career in the NHL. I can’t say enough about that guy. He’s definitely helped me out a lot. I consider him one of my really good friends on the team. I think if I ever have any troubles down the road in my hockey career, I can go to him. I really appreciate what he’s done for our team.”

Every player that talked about their experience with Gilbert had nothing but high regards for the Minnesota native. The fact he was able to leave such an impression on so many young defensemen made the NHL veteran a little emotional. “That’s kind of what it’s all about,” he said. “Everyone is young at some point. You have those guys you played with – it could have been two words they said to you, or you could have played with them for five years – and they did something that made you remember them, whether it was teaching them how to be a good hockey player or a good person.

“If I can make an impact on one person, it’s a great feeling.”

Gilbert’s future is somewhat unknown now as he is heading into free agency. But there is one thing he is sure about: “I’m not done playing. That’s all I know.”

As for Gilbert’s old skates? “I might have them,” Lewington said when asked if he was still in possession of the pair. “I know they’re Bauer Vapor 40s. I remember the first day he came; I told him ‘When I was 14, I bought a used pair of your skates and wore them.’ They had the 77 on the bottom of them. I’ll have to look for those.”