Clark Gillies

Lore & Background

Clark Gillies grew up in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and started skating at age four. His father insisted he learn to skate before using a hockey stick. He began playing hockey casually at six and in organized leagues at seven. As one of the bigger players, he often fought, which he felt added to the fun. Before hockey, Gillies signed with the Houston Astros in 1970 and played three years of minor league baseball as a catcher/first baseman, hitting .241 in 86 games. He eventually played for the Regina Pats of the Western Canada Hockey League, where he accrued 570 penalty minutes in 201 games and won the 1974 Memorial Cup.

Gillies was selected fourth overall in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft by the New York Islanders. In his rookie season playoffs, he established himself as one of the NHL's toughest players by beating up enforcer Dave Schultz. He was named team captain in the latter half of 1976–77 but never felt completely comfortable in the role, allowing Denis Potvin to take over before the 1979–80 season. During the 1980 playoffs, Gillies got the best of Boston's Terry O'Reilly several times, fueling the Islanders' drive to the Stanley Cup. He flourished as the team's chief protector and enforcer, and the Islanders won the Stanley Cup four consecutive years from 1980 to 1983.

Gillies recorded four straight 30-goal seasons from 1975 to 1979, and scored over 30 goals again in 1980–81 and 1981–82. He finished tenth in Hart Trophy voting in 1977 and was named to the NHL First All-Star Team as a left-winger in 1978 and 1979. After scoring only four goals in 55 games in 1985–86, he was claimed by the Buffalo Sabres in the waiver draft. He retired after a season and a half with Buffalo. His jersey number 9 was retired by the Islanders in 1996, and he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002.

Reader's Guide

Clark Gillies is significant as an aggressive playmaker who opened up scoring chances for his linemates as part of the 'Trio Grande' line with Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier. His role as a power forward and enforcer was key to the Islanders' dynasty that won four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983. Although his overall statistics—319 goals and 378 assists in 958 games—were considered not of Hall of Fame caliber, his contributions as a clutch scorer (44 game-winning goals) and his physical presence allowed his star linemates to thrive. Gillies also served as team captain from 1977 to 1979, though he delegated the role to Denis Potvin. His legacy includes being named to the NHL First All-Star Team twice, leading all left-wingers in All-Star voting in 1978 and 1979, and playing for Canada in the 1981 Canada Cup. Off the ice, he remained active in the Long Island community, forming a foundation that raised over $3 million for children's causes, including financing a pediatric unit at Huntington Hospital named in his honor.

Did You Know?

• Gillies started his professional sports career in baseball, signing with the Houston Astros in 1970 and playing three seasons of minor league baseball.
• His nickname 'Jethro' came from teammate Ed Westfall, based on the character Jethro Bodine from The Beverly Hillbillies.
• After the Islanders' first Stanley Cup win in 1980, Gillies let his German Shepherd dog eat from the Cup.
• Gillies was not related to Trevor Gillies, who also played for the Islanders.