Islanders legend Mike Bossy passes away at 65

The National Hockey League and its fans are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of four-time Stanley Cup Champion and Hockey Hall of Fame legend, Mike Bossy, at the age of 65. 

Bossy, a New York Islanders icon who helped guide the franchise to four straight Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983, announced last October that he was battling cancer when he stepped away from his TV role with the French-language network TVA.

“It is with a lot of sadness that I need to step away from your screens, for a necessary pause,” Bossy wrote in French. “I intend to fight with all the determination and fire you’ve seen me show on the ice.”

One of only five players to score 50 goals in 50 games, Mike Bossy remains the all-time leader in goals per game in the regular season at 0.762, with only two players in league history scoring more hat tricks than Bossy’s staggering total of 39.

He also ranks third in points per game and seventh on the NHL’s list of top regular season scorers. In the playoffs, however, Bossy was even more clutch and became the only player with four game-winners in the same playoff series.

This morning, the New York Islanders issued the following statement regarding Bossy’s passing:

“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 President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello said. “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.” 

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman also remembered the nine-time 50-goal scorer:

“The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Mike Bossy, the dynamic winger whose goal-scoring prowess during a remarkable 10-year career ranks, by almost any measure, as one of the greatest in NHL history and propelled the New York Islanders to four straight Stanley Cups. Though containing him was the obsession of opposing coaches and checking him the focus of opposing players, Bossy’s brilliance was unstoppable and his production was relentless throughout his entire career. He thrilled fans like few others.”

Bossy was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991 and was named one of the NHL’s 100 greatest players in 2017. The Islanders retired his No. 22 in March 1992.

Bossy leaves behind his beloved wife Lucie, daughters Josiane and Tanya, and two grandchildren.