One of the many amazing aspects about the Islanders dynasty is that so many of its key players hit the ground running as NHLers. He may not have won the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year like teammates Denis Potvin, Bryan Trottier and Mike Bossy did, but Clark Gillies, who passed away yesterday at the age of 67, was every bit as ready for the pro game as they were from the moment he stepped into an NHL rink.
Off the ice, he immediately made his presence felt with this humor and easy-going attitude.