Clark Gillies, a Hockey Hall of Famer and four-time Stanley Cup winner with the Islanders, has died at 67.
Gillies smiles as fans cheer before he drops a ceremonial puck prior to a 2014 game. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
“The entire Islanders community is devastated by the loss of Clark Gillies,” Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said in a statement. “He 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.”
Gillies played with the Islanders from 1974 until 1986. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002.
Gillies on the ice with fellow Islanders Hall of Famers Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier during a 1977 game against the Montreal Canadiens. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
"The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Clark Gillies, a tower of strength on the ice for the dynastic New York Islanders of the early 1980s and a pillar of the Long Island community ever since," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "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.