Islanders Legend Clark Gillies Passes Away

The New York Islanders announced the passing of Clark Gillies Friday evening at age 67.

A four-time Stanley Cup winner, Gillies also served as the Islanders second captain in franchise history. A native of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan was a multi-sport athlete in his teens. Gillies signed with the Houston Astros organization in 1970 at the age of 16. He played catcher and first base and actually split time at the first base position in Covington with Bob Bourne who went to become a hockey-playing teammate with the Islanders.

Their 50-year friendship went beyond the ice and on the diamond, Gillies was the father-in-law to Bourne’s son, Justin.

His nephew, Colton was also a former NHLer.

Known as “Jethro.” at six-foot-three, Gillies was one of the league’s most-feared power forwards during his 12-year tenure with the Islanders. A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Gillies skated on a line with fellow HOF members Bryan Trottier and Mike Bossy.

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

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While Gillies wasn’t shy to drop the gloves on occasion, he could also contribute offensively, posting six 30-plus goal seasons during his 14-year career of which he played his final two campaigns for the Buffalo Sabres.

Gillies’ stat line:

Drafted fourth overall, 1974.

Regular season – 958 games, 319 goals, 378 assists, 697 assists, 1,023 penalty minutes.

Playoffs – 164 games, 47 goals, 47 assists, 94 points, 287 penalty minutes.

Off the ice, Gillies was heavily involved with giving back to the Long Island community. The Clark Gillies Foundation donates 100 percent of all funds raised to assist children who are physically, mentally or financially challenged.

The Clark Gillies Pediatric Unit and Pediatric Emergency Unit at the Huntington, NY Hospital are fully designed with the purpose to support children and their families.

Condolences to the Gillies and extended families.

#9, Clark Gillies.

Always in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/JmO05Ka3Wg

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 22, 2022