Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Iconic Isles star, Hall of Famer Gillies dies at 67

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Friday, 21 January 2022 21:18

Hall of Famer Clark Gillies, a stalwart on the New York Islanders' dynasty that won four straight Stanley Cup championships in the early 1980s, has died. He was 67.

The Islanders announced Gillies' death Friday night, with team president and general manager Lou Lamoriello saying "the entire Islanders community is devastated by the loss." The team did not say where Gillies died or provide a cause of death.

"He epitomized what it means to be a New York Islander," Lamoriello said. "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."

Gillies had 319 goals and 378 assists in 958 games over 14 seasons with the Islanders and Buffalo Sabres. He spent the bulk of his career with New York and is fourth on the franchise list in goals (304) and points (663), and fifth in assists (359). One of 17 players on the team that won the four Cups from 1980 to 1983 and an NHL-record 19 consecutive postseason series, he had 47 goals and 46 assists in 159 playoff games.

The Saskatchewan native had his No. 9 retired by the Islanders in 1996 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002.

Gillies remained a popular figure around the franchise after his retirement, attending games and interacting with fans. Nicknamed "Jethro" after a character from "The Beverly Hillbillies," Gillies was shown on the video board at Nassau Coliseum during the playoffs last year chugging a beer and crushing the can against his head.

"I always admired him as a player. But as a person, how he cared about the community and the Islanders," coach Barry Trotz said after the Islanders' 4-0 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Friday. "He was willing to go above and beyond to make sure that the fans got to the next level and the team got to the next level."

He endeared himself to the current group of Islanders players as well.

"Anytime you ran into Clark, it was a wonderful experience and great conversation," captain Anders Lee said. "He lived and breathed Islanders hockey. My heart goes out to his family and all of his friends and the people he has touched since he has been on the Island. It's a sad day."

Forward Matt Martin agreed, adding: "He epitomizes everything that the New York Islanders are. He walks into a room, he is charismatic, he carries a room. I remember when I met him for the first time, I always thought that's who I want to be when I grow up."

Off the ice, he started The Clark Gillies Foundation to support children challenged physically, developmentally or financially. The pediatric unit at Huntington Hospital on Long Island was named after Gillies after his foundation helped raise $1 million for its construction.

Read 325 times

Soccer

Salah: Fans make this title 'way better' than 2020

Salah: Fans make this title 'way better' than 2020

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool forward Mohamed Salah has admitted his team's latest titl...

How Arne Slot, Liverpool won the Premier League in 2024-25

How Arne Slot, Liverpool won the Premier League in 2024-25

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLIVERPOOL, England -- With seconds remaining in Liverpool's Premier...

MLS investigating discrimination in Vancouver win

MLS investigating discrimination in Vancouver win

EmailPrintMLS announced it is aware of a reported violation of the league's Non-Discrimination Polic...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Tatum again leads C's, features wrist in celebration

Tatum again leads C's, features wrist in celebration

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsORLANDO, Fla. -- Jayson Tatum sat on the court, grimaced and grabbe...

Ant zooms past 'gassed' Lakers to take 3-1 lead

Ant zooms past 'gassed' Lakers to take 3-1 lead

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMINNEAPOLIS -- With Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick keeping the...

Baseball

Giants' Ramos walks it off with little league HR

Giants' Ramos walks it off with little league HR

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Heliot Ramos thought he'd just leg out an infield...

Fan ejected after taunting Red Sox OF Duran

Fan ejected after taunting Red Sox OF Duran

EmailPrintCLEVELAND -- Jarren Duran has found plenty of support from his Boston Red Sox teammates an...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated