NHL Hall of Famer and Islanders legend Clark Gillies died aged 67 Friday night, the team announced.
There was no immediate cause given.
Gillies played 12 seasons for the Islanders between the 1974-75 and 1985-86 seasons, and was a key part of the team’s dynasty that won four-straight Stanley Cups from 1980-83.
He played 872 games with the Islanders (fifth all-time in franchise history), scoring 304 goals (fourth all-time in franchise history), recording 359 assists (fifth all-time in franchise history) and 663 points (fourth all-time in franchise history).
“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 had his No. 9 retired by the Islanders in 1996 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002. He is one of 17 Islanders players that were part of all four Stanley Cup teams.
He finished the last two years of his career with the Sabres, tallying 15 goals and 19 assists in 86 games played.
“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 1980’s and a pillar of the Long Island community ever since,” 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.
