Islander Legend Has Passed Away

On Friday morning, New York Islanders legend Mike Bossy has passed away from lung cancer at the age of 65. Bossý announced his struggles with lung cancer back in October 2021. He had been in palliative care for almost two weeks at the time of his death.

The New York Islanders are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the greatest pure goal scorer, four-time Stanley Cup Champion and Hockey Hall of Fame member, Mike Bossy. https://t.co/hbyozJ4BUS
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 15, 2022

Bossy will be remembered as one of the greatest goal scorers to ever play the game of hockey. In just his rookie season, Bossy scored 53 goals and 91 points winning himself the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 1978. This was his first of nine consecutive 50-goal seasons. To this day, he is the only player to accomplish that feat as Wayne Gretzky just fell short with eight consecutive 50-goal seasons.

Bossy also hit 60 goals or more in five seasons during that span between 1977-1986. His amount of 60 goal seasons is tied for most with Gretzky who also had five during his career.

Unfortunately, the Montreal native's career only lasted another NHL season after his last 50 season. During the 1987-88 NHL season in which his streak was broken, Bossy struggled with severe back pain and was only able to score 38 goals in 63 games. Following that season, he attempted to return for training camp in 1988, however when he got there the back pain was too excruciating that he forced to retire prematurely at 31 years old.

The best years of Bossy's career came between 1980-1983 when he was apart of an Islanders dynasty that won four straight Stanley Cups. He alongside linemate Bryan Trottier were one of the most dominant duos in the league at the time. In 1982, he was the winner of the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP.

At the end of his 10-year NHL career, Bossy finished with 573 goals and 1126 points in 752 regular season games. In 129 playoff games, he put up 85 goals and 160 points. His 573 goals in 752 games ranks him first in goals per game with a minimum of 200 goals at .762 goals per game. His 85 playoff goals in 129 games puts him second all-time with .692 goals per game. While, his 1126 points in 752 games actually ranks him third all-time in points per game behind Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux with 1.497 points per game.

Following his NHL career, he worked as a hockey commentator for MSG Network and TVA Sports in his later years until the cancer forced him to step away. Prior to that, he also worked in french radio for CKOi-FM in Montreal.

Bossy is succeeded by his wife Lucie, two daughters and two grandchildren. The hockey world will miss the legend but he will never be forgotten.