Islanders Country needs a hug today.
“Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” That’s a line from the movie The Sandlot and ever since hearing it as a kid, I’ve thought of our sports idols differently.
There are plenty of heroes - players from our childhood that we remember watching, know all their stats, maybe wore their jersey or pretended to be them when playing. But a legend? That’s all that and then some.
Clark Gillies is a legend. He embodied what it meant to be an Islander and so much more with what he represented to hockey on the ice and gave of himself to Long Island and others off the ice. He was a Hall of Famer in everything he did.
Forever an Islander and forever in our hearts.
Gillies hailed from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and whenever asked where Moose Jaw was, he’d always joke that it was “six feet from the moose’s ass.” 1 Selected 4th overall in the 1974 NHL Draft, he quickly established himself as one of the league’s toughest players with memorable playoff bouts against rival enforcers and would serve as Islanders captain from 1977-1979.
One of the game’s premier power-forwards, Gillies had 319 goals and 378 assists in 958 games over 14 NHL seasons and is fourth on the Islanders' franchise list in goals (304) and points (663), and fifth in assists (359). On December 7, 1996, Gillies' No. 9 was retired by the team and in 2002 he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Gillies made Long Island his home and became a fixture, not only at Islanders’ games but in the community. It feels as if everyone on Long Island has a Clark Gillies story. As news spread throughout Islanders country, fan after fan posted photos of themselves with Clark. The same big, warm smile in each picture with an arm around the shoulder making you feel special - like it mattered as much to him as it did to you. Some posted photos of them with Clark as kids and then another with Clark and their kids. He was part of the fabric of the Islander’s family and by extension our families.
If you were lucky enough, and many of you were - you might find him at the end of a bar, asking to buy him a beer for the price of recounting the glory days of the Islanders’ dynasty. He would gladly oblige.
“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.” - Barry Trotz
He was an adopted son of this Long Island family, loved every moment of it, and never stopped giving back. In a 2018 Q&A, he was quoted as saying “You can’t live a perfect day unless you help someone who can’t repay you.” Over the years, the Clark Gillies Foundation granted millions of dollars to worthy charitable causes. The Clark Gilles Emergency Pediatric Unit at Huntington Hospital in Huntington, N.Y. provides a pediatric unit for children undergoing treatment that requires overnight stays in the hospital.
You can donate HERE.
After the Game
Anders Lee: "Anytime you ran into Clark, it was a wonderful experience and great conversation. "He lived and breathed Islanders hockey. My heart goes out to his family and all of his friends and the people he has touched since he has been on the Island. It's a sad day."
Matt Martin: "He epitomizes everything that the New York Islanders are. He walks into a room, he is charismatic, he carries a room. I remember when I met him for the first time, I always thought that's who I want to be when I grow up."
“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.” - Lou Lamoriello
The Islanders’ Family Reacts
Bobby Nystrom: "The one thing that I need you to just say is that he's one of the greatest human beings that I've ever met."2
Denis Potvin: “We lost a special person.”3
Eric Nystrom: “Clark Gillies. No one could light up a room more than him. The stories, the jokes, no one was better! We lost a great one today. A true legend has passed. It just doesn't seem real. This one hurts bad! Real bad. RIP Clarky. You will be missed dearly!”
Howie Rose: “When the Islanders won their 1st Stanley Cup in 1980, Clark was handed the Cup and instead of just hoisting it over his head he took off around the Coliseum rink in sheer ecstasy. I thought he was going to skate it right out onto Hempstead Tpke.”
Johnny Boychuk: “He was always a genuine person every time we talked. This is very sad news. Condolences go to his family. RIP legend.”
Chris Botta: “Clark Gillies gave so much to the Isles, Long Island, the game and most of all, good causes. He never said No to a request. He was the best friend you could have. And boy, could he make you laugh. Gone too soon. Heartbroken for his family. Rest in Peace, Clark.”
"The Islanders iconic Clark Gillies was the kind of human you'd want your son to be. Jethroe was The Role Model's Role Model. He had everything, savvy, sensibility, sense of humor, sense of a teammate, and an all-around wonderful guy who I loved very much as a pal.” - Stan Fischler
Shannon Hogan: “Few people could light up a room like Clark Gillies. He was funny, caring, and personable. His passion for the Islanders past and present was second only to his love for family. Sending prayers to his wife, daughters & the grandkids he loved to brag about.”
The Hockey World Pays Tribute
Mario Lemieux: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Clark Gillies. He was an incredible player, fierce competitor, and a true gentleman. I am grateful for his friendship and his support of my Foundation through the years. His generosity and philanthropy was unmatched.”
Chico Resch: "Clarkie loved the mic. And he would sing, 'Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear … ‘ and he'd get into it. He was obviously the life of the dressing room, the party, any social function."
Buffalo Sabres: “We are saddened to learn about the passing of Hockey Hall of Famer and former Buffalo Sabre, Clark Gillies. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Edmonton Oilers: “Thank you for the unforgettable 80s battles. The hockey world lost a legend today. The Oilers organization extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends & former teammates of Clark Gillies.”
Ray Ferraro: “Oh this is so sad…what an amazing man, kind, big laugh always welcoming to those of us that came to the Island after their great teams. Rest In Peace Clark.”
Kerry Fraser: “My heart is broken on the passing of Big Jethro. What an amazing player. A big teddy bear who protected his cubs with a mama bear’s vengeance. Never really liked to fight but man could he ever. So many fond memories with the big man. I will miss you, friend. Save me a seat in the box!”
John Feinstein: Heard about Clark Gillies death late last night. Shocked and very sad. Aside from being a Hall-of-Fame player he was a mensch; great to talk to win or lose--although his Islander teams didn't lose much. He single-handedly destroyed Dave Schultz's reputation as a fighter.
Gillies story told by Vegas GM George McPhee: "I was playing for the Rangers, Herb Brooks was coach. He told me to fight Gillies to get the guys going. I ran straight at him, dropped my gloves and squared off. He laughed at me and said, 'I'm not fighting you.' I wasn't worthy. "Went back to the bench. Herb said, 'what happened?' I said, 'he wouldn't fit me. I'm beneath him.' Herb said, 'ok, go fight Nystrom.' Unfortunately for me, Nystrom didn't think I was beneath him.
And we leave you with this …
When Barry Trotz was asked about a memory of Clark, he spoke about this humorous moment from last season’s playoffs. “I will always remember Clark smashing that can of beer on head ….you can see the passion … that one will stay with me a long time. He was willing to go above and beyond to make sure that the fans got to the next level and the team got to the next level."
And this …
A beautiful tribute by artist Brian D. Oaks …No. 9 being raised beyond the rafters.
Tweeted by former Islanders’ beat writer Peter Botte
Tweeted by Newsday’s Andrew Gross
Tweeted by The Athletic’s Arthur Staple