Mike Bossy, a New York Islanders legend who was one of the NHL’s all-time greatest goal scorers, has died. He was 65.
His passing was announced by the Islanders on Friday. In October, Bossy revealed he had been diagnosed with lung cancer.
The Montreal native was one of the biggest stars of the Islanders dynasty of the early 1980s, winning four Stanley Cups from 1980-83. Over his 10-season career, Bossy scored less than 50 goals only once — in his final campaign before his career was cut short at age 30 by a hip injury — and he scored more than 60 goals five times. With 572 goals in just 752 games, Bossy’s 0.76 goals per game is the highest mark in NHL history, ahead of contemporaries Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky.
Bossy was a eight-time All-Star, won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP and three times won the Lady Byng Award for sportsmanship. He retired after the 1986-87 season and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991. After retiring he worked as an NHL broadcaster in English and French media.
“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. On behalf of the entire organization, we send our deepest condolences to the entire Bossy family and all those who grieve this tragic loss.”
