Hockey Hall of Famer Clark Gillies passes away

Some sad news to report on Friday night as the New York Islanders have announced that team legend, and Hockey Hall of Famer Clark Gilles has passed away at the age of 67.

"The entire Islanders community is devastated by the loss of Clark Gillies," Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello said. "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."

The Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan native was drafted by the Islanders with the fourth overall pick in 1974. He appeared in 958 games during his NHL career with New York and Buffalo. In those 958 games, Gillies recorded 697 points (319 G, 378 A) and 1,023 penalty minutes.

Gillies won the Stanley Cup four times as a member of the Islanders, had his number 9 retired by them in 1996, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002.

In a statement, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said, "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. Gillies helped define the term 'power forward' during a 14-year, Hall of Fame career with the Islanders and Buffalo Sabres that was highlighted by winning four straight Stanley Cups with the Islanders."

Our thoughts are with the Gillies family at this tough time.

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

Statement from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on the passing of Hockey Hall of Fame member Clark Gillies. pic.twitter.com/K7PbmRiv56— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 22, 2022

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