Clark Gillies
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| Position | Forward |
| Shot | Left |
| Height Weight |
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Pro Clubs | New York Islanders Buffalo Sabres |
| Nationality |  Canada |
| Born | April 7, 1954, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan |
| NHL Draft | Round 1, 4th overall, 1974 New York Islanders |
| Pro Career | 1974 – 1988 |
| Hall of Fame | 2002 |
Clark "Jethro" Gillies (b. April 7, 1954, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada) 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.
[edit] Hockey 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, pummelling legendary Philadelphia Flyers toughman 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, Gillies 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.
In retrospect, there was lot more to Clark Gillies professional game than many realized at the time. He was 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. It is interesting to note that 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, Gillies 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 was subsequently picked up by the Buffalo Sabres. He wore #90 in Buffalo. Gillies retired after playing a season and a half with the Sabres. In 1997, Gillies' #9 was retired by the Islanders, and in 2002, Gillies was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. His induction was surprising to many hockey insiders, and has been frequently cited as one of the weakest selections in HHOF history.
[edit] Miscellany
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.
[edit] See also
| Preceded by Ed Westfall |
New York Islanders captains 1977-79 |
Succeeded by Denis Potvin |
Categories: 1954 births | Stanley Cup champions | Canadian ice hockey players | New York Islanders players | National Hockey League players with retired numbers | Buffalo Sabres players | Hockey Hall of Fame | Regina Pats alumni | Saskatchewan sportspeople | Living people | National Hockey League first round draft picks | People from Moose Jaw
