Islanders legend Mike Bossy dies at 65
New York Islanders legend Mike Bossy has died at the age of 65, the team announced Friday.
Bossy stepped away from his role as an analyst with TVA Sports, a Quebec-based sports channel, in October after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
The Hall of Famer is known as the greatest pure goal scorer in NHL history. He enjoyed a prolific 10-season career, all with the Islanders. Bossy is still the top scorer in the franchise record books with 573 goals in 752 contests, while his 1,126 points rank second overall in Islanders history.
The Montreal native won four consecutive Stanley Cups as a key member of the Islanders' dynasty from 1980-83. He logged 85 goals and 75 assists in 129 career playoff games and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP in 1981-82.
"The New York Islanders organization mourns the loss of Mike Bossy, an icon not only on Long Island but across the entire hockey world," Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said in a statement. "His drive to be the best every time he stepped on the ice was second to none. Along with his teammates, he helped win four straight Stanley Cup championships, shaping the history of this franchise forever."
Bossy produced at a 1.50 point-per-game clip, the third-highest rate in league history, and he's in rare company as one of the few players to score 50 goals in 50 games. He put up 60 goals or more five times in his career and had nine straight 50-goal seasons.
The Islanders drafted him with the 15th overall pick in 1977. Bossy took home the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1977-78 as the league's top rookie after scoring 91 points in 73 games. He was also awarded the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct three times.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released a statement honoring one of the game's "all-time greats."
"Though containing him was the obsession of opposing coaches and checking him the focus of opposing players, Bossy's brilliance was unstoppable and his production relentless throughout his entire career," he wrote.
Bettman added: "He thrilled fans like few others."
Wayne Gretzky took to social media to mourn Bossy's death.
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After hanging up his skates, Bossy turned to broadcasting. He held a position with TVA Sports since 2015.
Bossy was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991. The Islanders retired his No. 22 in 1992.
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