Some sad news to announce on Friday morning as New York Islanders legend Mike Bossy has passed away following a battle with lung cancer. Bossy had been in palliative care in his home, surrounded by family at the time of his passing.
Bossy was arguably the best pure goal scorer of all time, notching 573 goals in just 752 career NHL games spread across 10 NHL seasons, all with the Islanders. His .76 goals per game is the highest in NHL history, ahead of the likes of Mario Lemieux and "The Great One", Wayne Gretzky.
The Montreal, Quebec native won four consecutive Stanley Cups with the Isles in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983 and is just one of only two players to ever score consecutive Cup-winning goals ('82 and '83). The definition of a clutch player, Bossy posted less than 50 goals just once in his NHL career, 38 goals in his final NHL season. He scored 60 or more goals in 5 of his 10 NHL seasons.
Aside from his four Stanley Cup Championships, Bossy also won 5 individual awards during his NHL tenure, including a Calder Trophy, a Conn Smythe Trophy and a trio of Lady Byng Trophies. He also holds the NHL record for most consecutive 50-goal seasons and is one of just 5 players in the history of the game to score 50 goals in his team's first 50 games.
