After wearing the 'C' for two seasons, Gillies gave the captaincy to Potvin in 1979-80 because he felt more comfortable being part of the team rather than in the spotlight. As one of the bigger players on the ice, he was often engaged in fights with players on other teams, which he felt added to the fun of playing. O'Reilly remembers a great competitor whom he calls "a reluctant warrior," a player who never gave nor asked for an inch. 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An error has occurred while trying to update your details. 9 retired by the Islanders in 1996 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. ", NHL.com deputy managing editor Brian Compton contributed to this report. [22] His nephew, Colton Gillies, played in the NHL between 2008 and 2013. Clark Gillies was honored in December 2014 before an the Islanders game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. All Rights Reserved. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. He was 67. His first death news was posted by Promote Kenny Yeboah at around 7:35 a.m. 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). A member of an Islanders dynasty that won four Who Is Stephanie Mendoros Barrister? Nicholas has previous work experience with Billboard, POPSUGAR, Bustle and Elite Daily. Forgot your I almost hit it over the wall, I hit it to the base of the wall.. He was 67. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "It's tragic, to be honest with you," Islanders forward Matt Martin said. Did Lilah Pate Undergo Weight Loss, What Happened To Her? Clark Gillies, shown skating for the New York Islanders, scored 319 regular season goals in a 14-year NHL career. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. Clark Gillies dies at 67, four-time Islanders Stanley Cup He phoned his office during a layover and was told he had an urgent message to call a Toronto number. He was born on 7 April 1954 in Moose Jaw, Canada, he was 67 years old at the time of his demise. [17][18][13], He was also inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. ', "Even my wife was concerned until I told her, 'They're tears of joy.' Those shoes cost $20 and every one of you needs to give me a dollar right now or I am going to start beating the crap out of each and every one of you one at a time. In about five minutes, I had $20 in my hand and a pair of signed shoes to the 1980 Stanley Cup champions. Welcome to NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey League, Bienvenue LNH.com , le site officiel de la Ligue nationale de hockey, Tervetuloa NHL:n viralliselle nettisivustolle NHL.comiin, Vlkommen till NHL.com, NHL:s officiella web-sida, Vtejte na NHL.com, oficilnch strnkch National Hockey League, Vitajte na NHL.com, oficilnych strnkach National Hockey League, Willkommen auf NHL.com, der offiziellen Seite der National Hockey League, Bienvenido a NHL.com, el sitio oficial de la National Hockey League. He played in 30 to 40 charity softball games per year. [15] While wearing number 39 in Buffalo, Gillies retired after playing a season and a half with the Sabres. 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. As a result, when news of the Canadian ice hockey players death began to spread on Twitter today, people panicked. No cause of death was revealed. On January 22, 2022, netizens on Twitter began saying that the legendary ice hockey player had died. Clark Gillies Net Worth $6 Million to $10 Million USD Clark Gillies Passes Away: Cause of Death Revealed Did He Have Cancer? [19], Gillies' nickname, "Jethro", came from teammate Ed Westfall, based on the character Jethro Bodine in the TV series The Beverly Hillbillies. Off the ice, he started The Clark Gillies Foundation to support children challenged physically, developmentally or financially. Clark Gillies, Hockey Hall of Famer and four-time Stanley Cup All Rights Reserved. "I always admired him as a player. "He epitomized what it means to be a New York Islander," Lamoriello said. Similarly, there was no such news that had been published with reference to his health issues and Gillies having cancer. Matt Martin reflects on the passing of New York Islanders great Clark Gillies, discussing how he was a great representative of the Islander franchise and someone he looked up to when he was growing up. The player had always remained pretty private about his personal life. He totally played 872 games with the Islanders, scoring 304 goals, recording 359 assists and 663 points. Lightning. Why don't you just hang it up and look for something else to do?' He just represents everything being a New York Islander is. Clark Gillies Everything that you think about an Islander, being a good teammate, fantastic person, all those things. He topped 30 goals in six seasons, even threatening 40, reaching 38 in 1981-82, and recorded 91 points in 1978-79. 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." Legendary Islander and person. In the following post, they stated their misery after learning the sudden demise of the legendary power-forward and Hockey Hall of Fame member Clark Gillies. "I think when you talk about Clark, Clark has a relationship with so many guys that have cut their teeth with the Islanders," New York coach Barry Trotz said. A cause of death has not been disclosed at this The left winger was on one of the decades most successful forward lines, nicknamed the Trio Grande, with two fellow future Hockey Hall of Famers, center Bryan Trottier and right winger Mike Bossy. Hall of Fame winger Clark Gillies, who led the New York Islanders to four straight Stanley Cup championships during the early 1980s, has died, the team announced Friday. Clark Gillies "A player like Clark, and in a similar mold Boston's Cam Neely, was big, strong and talented with an ability to score goals. I remember when I met him for the first time, I always thought that's who I want to be when I grow up.". Age Explored Clark Gillies was 67 years old at the hour of his demise, as he was born on April 7, 1954, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. Similarly, he was the father-in-law to Justin Bourne, who is the son of his former teammate, Bob Bourne (former assistant coach of the Toronto Marlies). He played with a local team in Moose Jaw until it ceased operation. 2. Gillies had 319 goals and 378 assists in 958 games over 14 seasons with the Islanders and Buffalo Sabres. Gillies played 872 games for New York (fifth in Islanders history) and scored 663 points (304 goals, 359 assists), fourth in their history. Your existing password has not been changed. Clark Gillies was a former Canadian professional ice hockey player. Legendary Islander and person. "Anytime you ran into Clark, it was a wonderful experience and great conversation," captain Anders Lee said. Clark Gillies (left) with New York Islanders linemates Bryan Trottier (center) and Mike Bossy during the 1979-80 season. Enter your email address to get a new one. The adoration and admiration of his teammates reflected the heart and passion he brought to our game. Clarkie's always gone out of his way to welcome players into the organization. Challenge on Instagram Explained and Family, What Does Candy Barnes Do Now? It's a sad day.". The forward was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. A Warner Bros. On behalf of the entire organization, we send our deepest condolences to the entire Gillies family. I had the beard going and must have had a real scowl on my face.. In the second half of the 1976-77 season, his third in the NHL, Gillies replaced Ed Westfall to become the second captain in Islanders history. Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! Clark Gillies Health: Cause of Death Revealed Clark, a former ice hockey player from Canada, has blown everyones mind with his dying stories. Published Clark Gillies cheers on the Islanders on June 23, 2021, the last game at the team's Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. NHL trade deadline: Winners and losers, including the Bruins, Devils and Bruce Boudreau? He and close friend Bob Bourne were the stars of that team. On January 22, 2022, netizens on Twitter began saying that the legendary ice hockey player had died. He began working with the brand as an Editorial Intern in early 2020, before later transitioning to a freelance role, and then staff positions soon after. Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. We are currently unaware of the actual reason behind the players death. Clark Gillies was married to his wife, Pam, who is also a native of Moose Jam. After the Islanders had eliminated the Bruins in 1980, the teams lined up for the traditional handshake. He provided the actual presence and offensive punches for the National Hockey Leagues New York Islanders during his four years as a Stanley Cup champion. Clark Gillies dead, Canadian former professional ice hockeyplayer https://t.co/rkFcr7sVOg. Lets investigate to find out the truth. Clark Gillies was 67 years of age at the time of his death, as he was born on April 7, 1954, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. Condolences to the family of Clark Gillies on his passing. The first game was almost a church picnic, 16 penalty minutes called. "My heart dropped when I was told coming off the ice. As one of the bigger players on the ice, he was often engaged in fights with players on other teams, which he felt added to the fun of playing. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Gillies won four Stanley Cups with the New York