SUPREME SNIPER OF THE ISLANDERS' 1980S GLORY DAYS
Classy Hall of Famer showcased skill in era still dominated by rough play and fighting
Mike Bossy's father gave him a plastic hockey stick at age two, curious to see what might happen.
He became a much-admired symbol of prolific scoring, a Quebec junior hockey phenom and later a record nine-time 50-goal right-winger who once hit that magical mark in 50 games, the first since provincial legend Maurice (Rocket) Richard.
All the while he helped the New York Islanders to greatness, four straight Stanley Cups in the early 1980s, among the classiest of their many Hall of Famers.
But there was sorrow throughout the hockey world Friday when Bossy lost his struggle to terminal lung cancer at age 65.
His condition became known last October when he departed French-language sports network TVA.
“The battle I am about to wage will not be easy,” he told fans and friends in an open letter last autumn. “Know that I will give 100 per cent, nothing less, with the objective of meeting you again soon, after a very eventful hockey game. You will never be very far in my thoughts.”
On an Isles team that lost winger Clark Gillies to cancer in January of this year, and Denis Potvin's brother, Jean, last month, it was another emotional blow.
“The Islanders organization mourns the loss of Mike, an icon not only on Long Island but across the entire hockey world,” general manager Lou Lamoriello said. “His drive to be the best every time he stepped on the ice was second to none.”
The fifth of 10 children in a Montreal family that ironically was full of Detroit Red Wings fans, Bossy had four 100-point seasons with Laval of the QMJHL but lasted to 15th overall in the 1977 NHL draft before New York selected him.
The hometown Canadiens certainly knew of his prowess. Claude Ruel of their front office told coach Scotty Bowman that Bossy excited him as much as Guy Lafleur did at that age.
But as the rock 'em, sock 'em factor was still big in the NHL at the time, some of the Habs scouts doubted his toughness and passed on him as did many teams, the Maple Leafs and New York Rangers twice in the opening round.
Bossy made no secret he detested goon tactics and became one of the most outspoken critics of fighting in the game.
An immediate sensation with the budding Isles, he became the first rookie to score 50 goals in earning the 1978 Calder Trophy. Three years later, looking to motivate himself with a pre-season challenge, he locked on the Rocket's 50-game record. It became a race with Charlie Simmer of the Los Angeles Kings, who reached 49 goals in his 50th contest the same January afternoon the Isles played their 50th at Nassau Coliseum with Bossy still needing two.
It wasn't until the third period that Bossy took a Bryan Trottier pass and snapped in the record-tying goal.
“I think a quick release is more important than aiming the puck,” Bossy often said. “I always figured it was harder for the goalie to stop what he wasn't expecting than for me to look for a particular hole.”
The Isles were the last team to win four consecutive championships (1980-83) as each spring the red light kept burning for Bossy. He had 85 goals in 129 playoff games, the 1982 and '83 Cups clinched by his game-winners, the '82 title seeing him win the Conn Smythe Trophy as post-season most valuable player.
He was just as proud of three Lady Byng Trophys for clean play, assessed just 210 minutes in his 10-year career on the Island. He came through one of the roughest eras of the NHL clean as a whistle.