Clark Gillies: Difference between revisions
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==Playing career== |
==Playing career== |
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Gillies earned his tough-guy reputation in the Canadian Junior leagues, earning 570 penalty minutes in 201 games with the [[Regina Pats]]. In 1974, Gillies and the [[Regina Pats|Pats]] won the [[Memorial Cup]]. Later that year, the [[New York Islanders|Islanders]] made him their first round selection in the NHL draft, taking him 4th overall. Gillies would also be selected by the [[World Hockey Association]]'s [[Edmonton Oilers]] in the WHA draft, but Gillies signed with the Islanders, making the team right out of training camp. It was during his rookie season of 1974-1975 in the playoffs that Gillies established himself as one of the toughest players in the [[National Hockey League|NHL]], |
Gillies earned his tough-guy reputation in the Canadian Junior leagues, earning 570 penalty minutes in 201 games with the [[Regina Pats]]. In 1974, Gillies and the [[Regina Pats|Pats]] won the [[Memorial Cup]]. Later that year, the [[New York Islanders|Islanders]] made him their first round selection in the NHL draft, taking him 4th overall. Gillies would also be selected by the [[World Hockey Association]]'s [[Edmonton Oilers]] in the WHA draft, but Gillies signed with the Islanders, making the team right out of training camp. It was during his rookie season of 1974-1975 in the playoffs that Gillies established himself as one of the toughest players in the [[National Hockey League|NHL]], pummeling legendary [[Philadelphia Flyers]] [[Enforcer (hockey)|enforcer]] [[Dave Schultz]]. |
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Gillies scored over 31 goals for four straight seasons as part of the "Trio Grande", the [[New York Islanders|Islanders']] top forward line with [[Mike Bossy]] and [[Bryan Trottier]], and was named to the NHL's All-Star team twice. |
Gillies scored over 31 goals for four straight seasons as part of the "Trio Grande", the [[New York Islanders|Islanders']] top forward line with [[Mike Bossy]] and [[Bryan Trottier]], and was named to the NHL's All-Star team twice. |
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Revision as of 05:07, 8 February 2008
| Clark Gillies | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hockey Hall of Fame, 2002 | |||
| Born |
April 7, 1954 Moose Jaw, SK, CAN | ||
| Height | 6 ft 03 in (191 cm) | ||
| Weight | 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Played for |
New York Islanders Buffalo Sabres | ||
| NHL draft |
Round 1, 4th overall, 1974 New York Islanders | ||
| Playing career | 1974–1988 | ||
Clark "Jethro" Gillies (b. April 7, 1954, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan) was a professional ice hockey player and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He provided both physical presence and offensive punch for the NHL's New York Islanders during their four-year run as Stanley Cup champions. He was known as the premier power forward of his day. In a career that spanned 958 games, Gillies notched 319 goals, 378 assists, and 1023 penalty minutes.
Playing career
Gillies earned his tough-guy reputation in the Canadian Junior leagues, earning 570 penalty minutes in 201 games with the Regina Pats. In 1974, Gillies and the Pats won the Memorial Cup. Later that year, the Islanders made him their first round selection in the NHL draft, taking him 4th overall. Gillies would also be selected by the World Hockey Association's Edmonton Oilers in the WHA draft, but Gillies signed with the Islanders, making the team right out of training camp. It was during his rookie season of 1974-1975 in the playoffs that Gillies established himself as one of the toughest players in the NHL, pummeling legendary Philadelphia Flyers enforcer Dave Schultz.
Gillies scored over 31 goals for four straight seasons as part of the "Trio Grande", the Islanders' top forward line with Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier, and was named to the NHL's All-Star team twice.
In 1977-1978, Gillies was named team captain; however, in spite of Gillies' articulate speaking manner and amiable nature, he never felt completely comfortable as team captain and it affected his play adversely in big games. Gillies captained the Islanders through two big disappointments in his two year stint as captain, in part because the Islanders appeared to lack a team toughness. During the pre-season of the 1979-1980 season Gillies allowed Denis Potvin to take over as captain.
During the 1980 playoffs, Gillies got the best of Terry O'Reilly, one of the Boston Bruins' toughest players, several times, helping to fuel the Islanders' drive to the Stanley Cup. Gillies was used during this series as the Islander's chief protector and enforcer, and in taking on this role, Gillies allowed his team to battle through a violent series with the Bruins. Gillies, now totally comfortable with his role with the team, prospered individually and collectively, as the Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cups during Gillies' tenure.
Gillies is recognized for his role as enforcer, but he was also a solid skater, possessed a great shot, passed the puck well, back-checked well, and developed an uncommon hockey savvy through the championship years with the Islanders. Unlike many other enforcers, Gillies never exceeded 100 penalty minutes during any NHL regular season.
Gillies' swan song may have been during the 1983-1984 playoffs. After struggling through the regular season, he came alive in the playoffs, leading the Stanley Cup runner-ups in scoring for that playoff year.
After scoring only 4 goals in 55 games in 1985-86, Gillies was left unprotected in the NHL Waiver Draft, and the Buffalo Sabres picked him up. He wore #90 in Buffalo. Gillies retired after playing a season and a half with the Sabres. On December 6, 1997, Gillies' #9 was retired by the Islanders. In 2002 Gillies was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Miscellaneous
In 1982 Gillies and three teammates -- Bob Nystrom, Wayne Merrick, and Gordie Lane -- stripped to their briefs in the February issue of Penthouse magazine for a fashion layout promoting the latest in men's underwear.
Clark Gillies' nephew Colton plays hockey for the Western Hockey League's Saskatoon Blades.
As of 2007 Gillies is the most recent HHOF inductee not to have played for any of the NHL's Original Six.
See also
External links
- 1954 births
- Buffalo Sabres players
- Canadian ice hockey forwards
- Edmonton Oilers (WHA) draft picks
- Enforcers
- National Hockey League players with retired numbers
- New York Islanders players
- Hockey Hall of Fame
- Ice hockey personnel from Saskatchewan
- Living people
- National Hockey League first round draft picks
- People from Moose Jaw
- Regina Pats alumni
- Stanley Cup champions