Hockey Hall of Fame forward Clark Gillies dies at the age of 67. The news was announced by a press release from the New York Islanders but no cause of death was reported.
The New York Islanders are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary power-forward and Hockey Hall of Fame member Clark Gillies.https://t.co/wKISWA6L2b
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 22, 2022
Hockey Hall of Fame Clark Gillies Passes Away
Clark Gillies’s career
Gillies is from Moose Jaw, Sask. He played three seasons for the Regina Pats of the WHL scoring 283 points in 201 games. The Islanders drafted him 4th overall in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft.
Gillies played 874 games with the Islanders over 12 seasons from 1974-1986, the fifth-most games in franchise history. Over that span, he scored 304 goals, 359 assists for 663 points. He was a member of the Islanders dynasty that won four Stanley Cups between 1980-1983 and 19 straight playoff series before falling to the Edmonton Oilers in the 1984 Stanley Cup Final. Over that span, Gillies scored 66 points in 87 playoff games.
In 1986 the Buffalo Sabres claimed him off waivers from New York. He played the final two years of his career there, scoring 34 points in 86 games.
In 1996 the Islanders retired his number 9.
The Islanders’ press release discussed Gillies philanthropy. He started the Clark Gillies Foundation which helps children who are physical, developmental or financially challenged. The foundation raised $1 million to fund the pediatric unit at Huntington Hospital on Long Island.
In the release, Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello said, “(Gillies) epitomized what it means to be a New York Islander. The pride he felt wearing the Islanders sweater on the ice was evident by his willingness to do anything to win. Off the ice, he was just as big of a presence, always taking the time to give back to the local community. The New York Islanders have four Stanley Cups because of the sacrifices he and the members of those dynasty teams made for the franchise. On behalf of the entire organization, we send our deepest condolences to the entire Gillies family.”
The Outpouring from around the NHL
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman sent out a statement saying, “Gillies helped define the term ‘power forward’ during a 14-season, Hall of Fame career with the Islanders and Buffalo Sabres that was highlighted by winning four straight Stanley Cups with the Islanders.”
Islanders head coach, Barry Trotz said, “when you saw Clark Gillies you thought Islander.”
"When you saw Clark Gillies, you thought Islander" – Barry Trotz pic.twitter.com/c9mBUE2C6H
— Islanders Videos (@SNY_Islanders) January 22, 2022
Clark Gillies’s former teammate during the four Stanley Cup seasons, Butch Goring, also said a few words.
Butch Goring shares his immediate thoughts on the passing of his teammate, good friend, and fellow Islanders legend Clark Gillies. pic.twitter.com/LgHJ6253Q9
— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) January 22, 2022
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
