Canadian professional ice hockey player, and a stalwart on the New York Islanders dynasty, Clark Gillies has died of cancer at age 67. [11], During the 1980 playoffs, Gillies got the best of Terry O'Reilly, one of the Boston Bruins' toughest players, several times, helping to fuel the Islanders' drive to the Stanley Cup. "The goal of the foundation is to improve the quality of life with 100% of the proceeds going straight to people in need," the NHL said. Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! Select as many teams as you like from the leagues below. [24], Gillies died of cancer at his residence in Greenlawn on January 21, 2022, at the age of 67.[25]. [8] It was during his rookie season of 197475, in the playoffs, that Gillies established himself as one of the toughest players in the National Hockey League (NHL). 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. The Islanders announced Gillies died on Friday. Is he alive or dead? Performance & security by Cloudflare. 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. The player had always remained pretty private about his personal life. 9 at Nassau Coliseum on Dec. 7, 1996.
Great conversation," current Islanders captain Anders Lee said in his own statement.
Clark Gillies scored, fought, checked and set the tone for dynastic Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. He scored in overtime in a 2-1 Game 1 victory in Boston before fighting O'Reilly twice in Game 2, then twice more in Game 3, then Secord in the Islanders' Game 5 clincher on the way to their first of four consecutive championships. Hell be missed by many. "[20], Gillies, who was honoured by the Islanders on December 13, 2014, remained active in the Long Island community. Gillies was given a hero's welcome when he touched down in Moose Jaw, larger than life as he had been growing up and as he remains to this day. People always want to know, 'How was that thing with O'Reilly? He was 67. Who Is Stephanie Mendoros Barrister? All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. NHL 2023.
Islanders 1980s dynasty star Clark Gillies dies at 67 - USA TODAY Everything that you think about an Islander, being a good teammate, fantastic person, all those things. All About Jarret Stoll, NHL Legend Guy Lafleur Dies at 70: 'One of the Greatest Players,' Montreal Canadiens Say, P.K. 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. 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. Born on April 7, 1954, in Saskatchewan, Canada, Gillies would go on to play for the Islanders from 1974-1985 before eventually joining the Sabres in 1986 and retiring in 1988, according to the NHL. The Islanders had gone into the Bruins house and beaten them every which way they could be beaten, stood up for themselves in their own building and rode that to a 4-1 series win. "[1] Gillies started skating at around the age of four. Clark Gillies cheers on the Islanders on June 23, 2021, the last game at the team's Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The foundation continued its association with Huntington Hospital after it 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. Gillies never fought by choice, but he understood the value of a clenched fist when liberties were taken with teammates. "The entire Islanders community is devastated by the loss of Clark Gillies," Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "A player like Clark, and in a similar mold Boston's Cam Neely, was big, strong and talented with an ability to score goals. He just represents everything being a New York Islander is. Sununu pushes back on DeSantis crusade against woke corporations: Thats not what Republicans are about, At least 10 dead as storms lash the US, leaving millions without power, 9 intimate relationships you might have missed from Spare, Every Major Greys Anatomy Character Who Has Been Killed Off, Ranked from First to Most Recent, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UklV54RvGq0&t=55s. 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. Gillies, now totally comfortable with his role with the team, flourished individually and collectively, as the Islanders won the Stanley Cup in four consecutive years, from 1980 to 1983, during Gillies' tenure. Subscribe to our new podcast, PEOPLE Every Day, to get the essential celebrity, entertainment and human interest news stories Monday through Friday. The Saskatchewan native had his No. "But when you're sitting there thinking about the game, you're secretly wishing that a guy like that was on your wing instead of opposite you. Gillies found his way into the world of finance, connecting with old friend Joe Duerr, the Islanders anthem singer for years who was in that business. ", "Anytime you ran into 'Clarkie', it was a wonderful experience. Gillies was also one of 17 Islanders players who won four straight Stanley Cup championships from 1980 to 1983. The first game was almost a church picnic, 16 penalty minutes called. [19], Gillies' nickname, "Jethro", came from teammate Ed Westfall, based on the character Jethro Bodine in the TV series The Beverly Hillbillies.
Clark Gillies: Big man for Islanders, big man for Long Island Gillies was also selected by the World Hockey Association's Edmonton Oilers in the WHA draft, but signed with the Islanders, making the team out of training camp.
It's a sad day. He played 12 seasons for the Islanders between the 1974-75 and 1985-86 seasons. Clarkie's always gone out of his way to welcome players into the organization. Clark Gillies Health: Cause of Death Revealed Clark, a former ice hockey player from Canada, has blown everyones mind with his dying stories. On behalf of the entire organization, we send our deepest condolences to the entire Gillies family.. 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. In 147 NHL playoff games, he had 47 goals and 47 assists for 94 points. "It's tragic, to be honest with you," Islanders forward Matt Martin said. 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. "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 1980s and a pillar of the Long Island community ever since," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. 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. All indications are that he was a kind, considerate and charitable man off the ice. 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 1980s and a pillar of the Long Island community ever since, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said. 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." Clark Gillies, a Hockey Hall of Fame power forward and four-time Stanley Cup winner with the New York Islanders, died Friday, according to the National Hockey League. Been there, done that.
Islanders great, Hall of Famer Clark Gillies dead at 67 Lightning. The Huntington Hospital pediatric emergency unit on Long Island has been named after Gillies and his foundation. He was 65. The New York Islanders have four Stanley Cups because of the sacrifices he and the members of those dynasty teams made for the franchise. Charismatic, he played the right way, part of the community. [9][10], In the latter half of the 197677 season, Gillies was named team captain; however, in spite of Gillies' articulate speaking manner and amiable nature, he never felt completely comfortable as captain. Off the ice, he was just as big of a presence, always taking the time to give back to the local community. "I sat there and my eyes filled with tears.
Clark Gillies The Islanders announced Gillies died on Friday. It wasn't just fighting Clark, it was playing against a big, strong man with a very balanced set of hockey skills.". Where is Yuta Okkotsu in the Show? Hell be missed by many. Such was the perpetual good humour of Gillies, an Islanders and Regina Pats legend who died of cancer Friday at age 67. Life After Hockey. Your existing password has not been changed. "I knew Clark didn't want to deal with me and I didn't want to deal with him," O'Reilly joked Saturday. "I said to myself, 'Boy, you'd better figure out what the heck you're going to do with the rest of your life.'. There was no gray area. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. Nick Kyrgios teases engagement to girlfriendCosteen Hatzi on his birthday, Tamsin Egerton, Jessica Plummer Cast in Tell That To The Winter Sea. But none of that dominance happens without Clark Gillies. My heart dropped when I was told coming off the ice. "Loyal to Islanders and LI Too Gillies still a huge presence on adapted home turf" Newsday December 14, 2014. He walks into a room, he's charismatic, he carries a room. "I remember the puck going into the corner, both of us racing for it, we sort of came together like two rams, shoulder to shoulder, trying to knock each other out of position for the puck," he said. "Why not?" No cause of death was revealed. 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. ", Forward Matt Martin agreed, adding: "He epitomizes everything that the New York Islanders are. "I always admired him as a player. O'Reilly remembers a great competitor whom he calls "a reluctant warrior," a player who never gave nor asked for an inch. Stats are secondary to the character and comfort he brought to the dominant Islanders (and two seasons with the Buffalo Sabres), but they are significant enough that they are worth exploring: In 958 NHL games over a 14-year career, he scored 319 goals -- including 92 power-play goals -- and added 378 assists for 697 points. 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. He was in some ways like the legendary Gordie Howe, another Saskatchewan product, whose reputation for taking no prisoners and suffering no fools usually settled matters before gloves were ever dropped. 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. Lets investigate to find out the truth.
Clark Gillies Apart from this, nothing much on his family and children could be fetched at the time of writing. "My heart dropped when I was told coming off the ice. Nicholas Rice is an Associate Editor for PEOPLE Magazine. No cause of death was given. After the Islanders 4-0 home victory against the Arizona Coyotes on Friday, head coach Barry Trotz said that the forward will be missed. 9 was retired twice in four years -- by the Islanders in 1996, then in 2000 by the major-junior Regina Pats, with whom he won the 1974 Memorial Cup in his last of four seasons with the team. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. "Off the ice, he was just as big of a presence, always taking the time to give back to the local community. An error has occurred while trying to update your details. "He epitomized what it means to be a New York Islander. By 1979-80, the clock was running down on the Islanders potential. Great conversation," current Islanders captain Anders Lee said. He began playing ice hockey casually at the age of six and in organized leagues at the age of seven. It's a sad day. Gillies was one of 17 Islanders players who won four straight Stanley Cup championships from 1980-83. He's got a beautiful family and he's done so much for the community with his foundation that we've been lucky enough to be a part of over the years, and he'll forever live on inside this organization. 2. He walks into a room, he is charismatic, he carries a room. Gillies was entrenched in the Long Island community during his playing career and after. Subban Announces Retirement from NHL After 13 Seasons: 'This Chapter Is Closing', Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2023, WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler Recovering in Hospital After Experiencing 'Massive' Stroke, Hall of Fame Baseball Player and Announcer Tim McCarver Dead at 81, Rayfield Wright, Dallas Cowboys Legend, Dead at Age 76 Following 'Severe Seizure', Dick Savitt, Tennis Hall of Famer, Dead at 95, Canadian Hockey Captain, 20, Dies After Collapsing During Game: 'We Are All Broken', The Drifters Star Charlie Thomas Dead: The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Was 85, Deion Sanders' 5 Kids: Everything to Know, UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar Dead at 45: 'He Will Be Missed,' Dana White Says. However, his cause of death hasnt been disclosed yet. He played with a local team in Moose Jaw until it ceased operation. In the Best Friends cast members, Vannessa Cross and Meghan Crumpler are pushing, Who is Grant Cardones Wife: Grant Cardone is a no-holds-barred entrepreneur and, In true Paul Rudd fashion, he cant help but joke that he, As promised byRamrez, the remaining four immortals in the 80s are all, While Arnold Palmer will obviously always be the person most associated with, PALM BEACH, Fla. Republican Gov. They all looked at me, like, umm, here's your dollar. O'Reilly chuckled about his rumbles with Gillies and recalled the physical battles even with their gloves on. [17][18][13], He was also inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. When submitting content, please abide by our . The duo lived together in Greenlawn, New York. The pride he felt wearing the Islanders sweater on the ice was evident by his willingness to do anything to win. It was perfectly clear that I could fight, but I always made it clear that my first job was to play good, tough hockey, he told Eric Justic in 2006 in a story for MiLB.com. The announcement made by the team didnt give details on the cause of his death. A member of an Islanders dynasty that won four 9 retired by the Islanders in 1996 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. He scored at least 33 goals six times in 12 seasons with the Islanders but topped out at 99 penalty minutes in his roughest year. [7] In 1974, his final season for Regina, Gillies had 46 goals and 66 assists, was named to the league's First All-Star team, and the team won the 1974 Memorial Cup as Canadian major junior hockey champions. I think my favorite memory was flying home to New York from Boston that night, and we couldn't be happier. The player had always remained pretty private about his personal life. I said, I will beat the (crap) out of every one of you unless you give me a dollar apiece, Gillies told NHL.com. You may have created an account with another Rogers Media His first death news was posted by Promote Kenny Yeboah at around 7:35 a.m. 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.