NHL Legend Passes

Power Forward. A term used in hockey to describe somebody who's known for playing a physical game. The role is loosely described as a big, strong forward who can play physical and score goals, usually having high point totals and penalty minutes. One of the first pictures you will see when describing the role of power forward is of former New York Islander and Buffalo Sabre Clark Gillies. He pretty much set the standard for what a power forward should be. He passed away last night at the age of 67.

Gillies was the ideal player for that concept before the role was really defined and even existed in the game. The numbers kind of speak for themselves. 4th overall pick by the Islanders in 1974, he finished his career with 958 games played, scored 319 goals, 378 assists, and registered 1023 penalty minutes. He won four straight Stanley Cups, was a part of 19 straight playoff series wins, had his #9 retired by the team and was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. But those numbers only tell cold hard facts.

He helped his teammates play bigger then they were. Case in point. The Islanders second round playoff series against the Boston Bruins in the 1980 playoffs. A lot of the experts had the Bruins pegged to win the series because they had a more physical edge. And a lot of people were looking back at what happened in the playoffs the year before when the Islanders got knocked around a bit in the upset by the Maple Leafs. So they figured if that happened the year before against Toronto, it could happen again against the Bruins in 80. Well Gillies, along with fellow tough guy Bob Nystrom, took it upon themselves to try and match the Bruins punch for punch in the series. The fights that Gillies had with Terry O'Reilly in that series have become the stuff of legend over the years. It helped turn the Islanders into the team they needed to be in the playoffs that season.

His on ice play was the stuff of legend. So was his personality off the ice. His charity work in the community in and around Long Island could be felt for years after his playing days had ended. He gave so much of himself and his free time to touch many lives around Long island that it can't be really put into words

A true legend in the game and the community Gillies impact on Long Island and the hockey world will never be forgotten