Former New York Islanders, from left, Bryan Trottier, Clark Gillies, Bobby Nystrom, Billy Smith and Denis Potvin look on during a jersey retirement ceremony for teammate John Tonelli prior to a game against the Detroit Red Wings at NYCB Live on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Hall of Fame goalie who backstopped the Islanders to four straight Stanley Cups from 1980-83 often was a man of few public words.
Fortunately, his former teammates have plenty of “Battlin’ ” Billy Smith stories.
“It was comforting to know that you had Billy behind you,” Hall of Famer Mike Bossy told Newsday recently.