Suffolk Sports Hall of Famer, Town of Huntington resident and hockey legend Clark Gillies died in January 2022. His loss is a devastating blow to the Islanders organization as he is the first main cog from the dynasty years to pass away.
Gillies, a hockey hall of famer, was integral to the success of the Islanders’ historic run in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was inducted to the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 at the now defunct Sports Plus in Lake Grove.
“Luckily we still have the photos from his induction in our archives and will cherish the memories of Clark representing Suffolk County as a proud resident, who was deeply committed to serving the community thanks to his position in the sports world,” said Chris R. Vaccaro, executive director of the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. “His reputation was one of kindness and charisma off the ice and he was one of the hardest working and smartest hockey players of his time. He will forever represent what it means to be a New York Islander and Suffolk Sports Hall of Famer.”
Some notes from the Clark Gillies files …
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, a fellow Suffolk Sports Hall of Famer and Town of Huntington native, offered his thoughts on the hockey icon’s passing.
Statement from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on the passing of Hockey Hall of Fame member Clark Gillies. pic.twitter.com/K7PbmRiv56
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 22, 2022
Long Island native and broadcaster Linda Cohn, who will be inducted to the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 2022, also weighed in on Twitter.
The 1st team I covered was the 4 time Stanley Cup Champion @NYIslanders in the early 80’s. Clark Gillies was always there. After wins. After losses. To talk to reporters like me. He was a gentleman, a class act. My heart goes out to his family.❤️ #RIPJethro
— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) January 22, 2022