CLARK GILLIES PASSES AWAY
The New York Islanders are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary power-forward and Hockey Hall of Fame member Clark Gillies.
“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.”
Gillies, 67, a native of Moose Jaw, SK, was a member of the Islanders from 1974-75 through 1985-86. He was selected by the Islanders in the first round (4th overall) of the 1974 NHL Entry Draft. As a member of the Islanders, Gillies played in 872 games (fifth all-time in franchise history), scoring 304 goals (fourth all-time in franchise history) and 359 assists (fifth all-time in franchise history) for 663 points (fourth all-time in franchise history). He played in 159 playoff games for the Islanders, scoring 47 goals and 46 assists for 93 points. Gillies was one of 17 Islanders players that won four straight Stanley Cups Championships from 1980-1983. He also was a member of the group that set the NHL record of 19 straight playoff series wins, a mark that still stands today.
He was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame in 2002. Gillies represented the Islanders at the 1978 NHL All-Star Game and was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1978 and 1979. Gillies had his number 9 retired on December 7, 1996 and his banner now hangs in UBS Arena.
Gillies was not only a giant on the ice, but off it in the Long Island community. He began The Clark Gillies Foundation, a non-profit corporation developed to help children who are physically, developmentally and/or financially challenged. The goal of the foundation is to improve the quality of life with 100% of the proceeds going straight to people in need.
The Huntington Hospital Pediatric Unit has been named after Clark and his foundation, which raised one million dollars to help fund the construction of the unit. The Foundation continues their association with Huntington Hospital after they created Brianna’s Cub room within the Clark Gillies Pediatric Unit and by creating The Clark Gillies Pediatric Emergency Room which is staffed and equipped specifically for children.
Wow! Hard to believe at the young age of only 67. Not one mention of his greatness with Regina Pats and Memorial Cup win?! What a team that was!
RIP Clarke, a hockey GiANT!!!
Our sincere condolences to the Gillies family, Islander nation, Pats Regiment, and town of Moose Jaw. That Islanders franchise never gets spoken about as much as the Habs or Oilers, and that is shameful. Imagine having to work against Denis Potvin on one end and Clark Gillies on the other? When he went into the HOF I still remember people questioning that. My immediate volcanic shut down was they know not a thing about hockey. All these guys like Brendan Shanahan to Tom Wilson. The first prototype out of the factory was Clarke Gillies. I shudder to think what he… Read more »
Does anyone watch the Chicago Blackhawks pre game? They have a new tradition called – One Last Shift. They bring out Bobby Hull and had Tony Espisito etc. They tell the new generation who these guys are so they understand the history. I have been sitting in that Agridome since 1982 is my earliest memory. Garth Butcher to Kevin Haller to the present. I contacted the Pats and asked them to look into this. We have loads of former players that stick around and also Regina is iconic in that once a Pat always a Pat. We have the best… Read more »
I’ve been an Islander fan since their start in 1972 ! Clark Gillies, with his size and style of play was my favorite Islander ! I had a Clark Gillies Islander jersey before I had any other jersey ! His honesty, his genuine way of being, the ease with which he talked to anyone,anytime any place ! His laugh was infectious and his stories were hilarious ! His work off the ice with his Foundation was exceptional ! If you want to see and hear his stories about getting to Buffalo, fighting Behn Wilson and playing his last game in… Read more »
Here’s the thing about Clark Gillies. There is this assumption he was this PIM monster. The guy has low PIM totals. So this guy was on the top line, could do power play, but when the job needed to get done he got it done and God help anyone that had to stand in there with him.
Last year’s playoff run on Long Island when they put the camera on him in a full house. Classic.
Regina Pats Clark Gillies, Thanks for the memories. Life’s work … well done Clark. Eternal rest now yours. RIP.