Sask. Hall of Fame NHLer Clark Gillies dead at 67
Clark Gillies, a Hockey Hall of Famer and Regina Pats legend, has died at the age of 67.
The New York Islanders, the team he spent 12 NHL seasons with, said it was “deeply saddened” to learn of Gillies’ passing, in an announcement Friday.
Gillies was regarded as a force on the ice and pillar of the community during his 14-year Hall of Fame Career in the NHL.
Originally from Moose Jaw, Sask. Gillies would go onto play with the Regina Pats from 1971 to 1974, leading the team to a Memorial Cup win in the 1974 season.
He was selected by the New York Islanders in the first round of the NHL entry draft in 1974 and would play with the team for the next 12 seasons before being traded to the Buffalo Sabres for the 1987 and 1988 seasons, the last of his career.
As a forward, Gillies was an essential part of the New York Islanders dynasty in the early 1980’s which saw the team sweep the Stanley Cup from 1980 to 1983.
Gillies was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. He played a total of 958 games in the NHL, scoring 319 goals and 378 assists. Gillies represented the Islanders on the first NHL All Star team in 1978 and had his number 9 retired by the Islanders on Dec. 8, 1996
“The pride he felt wearing the Islanders sweater on the ice was evident by his willingness to do anything to win,” said New York Islanders General Manager Lou Lamoriello about Gillies. “Off the ice, he was just as big of a presence, always taking the time to give back to the local community.”
Barry Trotz, head coach of the Islanders, described Gillies as “bigger than life.”
“I remember when I met him for the first time I always thought that’s who I want to be when I grow up,” said Matt Martin, winger for the Islanders, “he’s just an amazing human being.”
Gillies played 201 games as a member of the Pats, and scored a total of 283 points (117 goals and 166 assists) during his time with the Regina staple according to the Pats’ website.
John Paddock , Regina Pats head coach and general manager, played against Gillies in junior and a little bit during pro, also spending some time with him during some visits with the Pats.
“His reputation, he lives up to his reputation as a person, as a player and as a Regina Pat and I know lots of people that know him so it was a sad day yesterday,” said Paddock.
Gillies’ had his number 9 retired by the Pats on February 18, 2000.
Gillies established the Clark Gillies Foundation, a non-profit corporation that was developed to “help children who are physically, mentally or financially challenged,” as a way to give back to the community that he represented on the ice for more than a decade.
In a 2016 vote by fans, Gillies was named the 24th best player in WHL history.
Gillies is survived by his wife, Pam, and their three daughters.
People around Saskatchewan and the hockey world took time to remember Gillies on social media Friday evening.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.