Saskatchewan hockey legend Clark Gillies dead at age 67

Clark Gillies, a Regina Pats legend and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, died Friday at the age of 67.

The Moose Jaw-born Gillies starred with the Pats from 1971 through ’74, winning a Memorial Cup with them in his final season in junior hockey.

In 283 regular-season games with the Pats, Gillies recorded 117 goals, 166 assists and 570 penalty minutes.

He was selected by the New York Islanders fourth overall in the 1974 NHL draft and made his debut with them in 1975.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound forward went on to play 14 seasons in the NHL with the Islanders and Buffalo Sabres, amassing 697 points — including 319 goals — in 958 regular-season games.

He won Stanley Cups with the Islanders from 1980 through ’83. He appeared in 159 playoff games with the Islanders, recording 47 goals and 46 assists.

Gillies was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. His No. 9 was retired by the Islanders in 1996 and by the Pats in 2000.

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

“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.”

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman also issued a statement after learning of Gillies’ death.

“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,” Bettman wrote.

“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 … The adoration and admiration of his teammates reflected the heart and passion he brought to our game.”

Former Islanders teammate Butch Goring was among those who shared their thoughts Friday.

“This is a tough night for all of us former players and teammates of Clark Gillies,” he said during an Islanders telecast Friday. “To know Clark Gillies is to love him.”

Butch Goring shares his immediate thoughts on the passing of his teammate, good friend, and fellow Islanders legend Clark Gillies. pic.twitter.com/LgHJ6253Q9

— Isles on MSG+ (@IslesMSGN) January 22, 2022

Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said Gillies represented “everything you think about being an Islander.”

“He was bigger than life. When you saw Clark Gillies, you thought Islander. There was no doubt. He played the right way, he was part of the community. Everything you think about being an Islander. My heart dropped when I was told. He will be missed. He really will.”

Trotz ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/APxJp5aL2o

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

Gillies recently appeared on the Green Zone to discuss his career and life in the NHL. That interview can be heard here.