On Friday, Mike Bossy, who was the leading scorer for the New York Islanders on each of their four-consecutive Stanley Cup winning teams from 1980-1883, passed away on Thursday at the age of 65.
Lou Lamoriello, the President of the Islanders, released a statement on Friday, which was published on the team’s official Twitter page.
1/3 "The New York Islanders organization mourns the loss of Mike Bossy, an icon not only on Long Island but across the entire hockey world. His drive to be the best every time he stepped on the ice was second to none." – Lou Lamoriello
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 15, 2022
3/3 "On behalf of the entire organization, we send our deepest condolences to the entire Bossy family and all those who grieve this tragic loss." – Lou Lamoriello
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 15, 2022
Islanders coach Barry Trotz issued a statement, as well.
“I want to send our thoughts and prayers from the Islanders family to the Bossy family. Mike Bossy was a great ambassador to the Islanders and a great ambassador to the game of hockey. He was one of the great scorers and one of the great people in the league. He will be missed." pic.twitter.com/O7Gx8oWicM
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 15, 2022
Others hockey fans and people in the NHL world paid tribute to the Hockey Hall of Famer, as well.
The NHL mourns the passing of Mike Bossy, the dynamic winger whose goal-scoring prowess during a remarkable 10-year career ranks, by almost any measure, as one of the greatest in NHL history.
Full statement from Commissioner Bettman: https://t.co/JHc2cNcS27 pic.twitter.com/oEl0YlodnE
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 15, 2022
It was an honor to play with you.
You will be missed. https://t.co/EjGWhYkRby— Wayne Gretzky (@WayneGretzky) April 15, 2022
Extremely saddened to hear about the passing of @NYIslanders legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Bossy due to lung cancer. He was 65. My 1st sports job was reporting on the Islanders in the early 80’s. I’m grateful for those post game chats with Mike. An all time great. pic.twitter.com/D487vMn9PV
— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) April 15, 2022
#Isles captain Anders Lee on Mike Bossy: "
"Anytime I ran into Mike he was always so gracious and very nice to talk to. He was such a phenomenal player. He made goal scoring look easy. It meant a lot to us young players to get to know someone like that and learn from them."
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) April 15, 2022
Super Sky Point to Mike Bossy, the first NHL player to score 60+ goals in three consecutive seasons. He averaged 57 goals a year for his career. Read that again. Absorb it. #RIP pic.twitter.com/lwt789l8tF
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) April 15, 2022
Sad news to hear of the passing of Mike Bossy. Peace to his family. An amazing player, tough, among the games very elite scorers. Privileged to play a few games against him.
— Ray Ferraro (@rayferraro21) April 15, 2022
How about this Mike Bossy goal run:
1978-79- 69 goals
1979-80- 51
1980-81- 68
1981-82- 64
1982-83- 60
…And just the kindest, sweetest guy…Those Islanders teams were great but they were also fun, warm, and engaging. Part of their enduring popularity and connection to Isles fans https://t.co/mED58HcLW1— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) April 15, 2022
Elegant and tough.
Candid and kind.
Respected and adored.
Athlete and artist.
Champion and legend.
NY Islander and Hall of Famer.
Rest in peace, Mike Bossy.pic.twitter.com/a0Rrgn4QjC — Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) April 15, 2022
Just chatted with Denis Potvin about Mike Bossy's passing. It's been an incredibly tough time for the #Isles family – and especially Potvin – with Clark Gillies, then his brother, Jean Potvin, and now Bossy all passing way too young…(1/4)
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) April 15, 2022
Potvin on Bossy (2/4)
"It’s a headshaker. I don’t like my evenings, I can tell you that. Because I think so much about the closeness we all had. Boss was a different kind of guy. No. 1 he was a family man, not that anybody else wasn’t at that time…."
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) April 15, 2022
Potvin on Bossy (3/4)
"…But he was so devoted to his family. When practice was over, he’d go home. When the season was over, he’d go to Montreal. He was very attached to his heritage and to get back with his family, which is something we all respected…"
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) April 15, 2022
Potvin on Bossy (4/4): "
"…When I think about 65 years old and Clarkie was 68, it’s way too early to lose guys like that. Throw in my brother, who was 72. It’s a shocker. It’s hard to deal with."
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) April 15, 2022
Bossy played his final game during the 1986-87 season, when he was only 30 years old. His career was shortened due to back injuries.
But while Bossy’s career wasn’t long, it was prolific. Despite playing only 10 years, he amassed 573 career goals. In every season except his last, he topped 50 goals. No other player in NHL history has scored 50 or more goals in nine consecutive seasons.
Bossy earned the Calder Trophy, honoring the NHL’s top rookie, in 1978. He made seven All-Star Games and won the Lady Byng Trophy three times. In addition to being the leading scorer on all four of New York’s Stanley Cup winning teams, Bossy won the Conn Smythe Trophy — which is awarded to the postseason MVP — in 1982.
For his accomplishments in the sport, Bossy was selected to the Hockey Hall of Fame for the Class of 1991.