Islanders, hockey world mourn death of Gillies

Clark Gillies
, a four-time Stanley Cup champion and all-time fan favorite during his time with the New York Islanders,
died at age 67
on Friday.

Teams, players, fans and those around the hockey world mourned the 2002 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, remembering his incredible skill on the ice and giant personality off it.
Chico Resch, a former teammate of Gillies, said Gillies made the most of each day.
"Clarkie and I were born in the same town in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan but when we'd have a party, he loved the mic," Resch said. "He would sing, 'Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear…' and he'd get into it. He was obviously the life of the dressing room, the party, any social function. That's the personal side. I would say he was loving and lovable, very approachable… anybody could approach him. I didn't see that guy ever really have a bad day."
Though Gillies stood at 6'4" and weighed over 200 pounds, Resch said Gillies never used his size to intimidate competition, adding that Gillies and him spoke about the forward's dislike of fighting.
"He would fight, but he wasn't like a mean guy looking for a fight," Resch said. "If you watched him play, the other team didn't give him cheap shots because Clarkie didn't give cheap shots. Clarkie wasn't saying, 'I'm a power-forward. I'm gonna get an edge here. I'm going to give this guy a stick or that guy stick.'"
Butch Goring, another former teammate of Gillies and Islanders color analyst for MSG, added that Gillies was a loving, lighthearted man.
"To know Clark Gillies is to love him," Goring said on the air. "He's was a fun guy, always joking... He is like losing a family member."

Islanders forward Matt Martin referred to Gillies as "who I want to be when I grow up," adding Gillies was "an amazing human being."

Actor and long-time Islanders fan Ralph Macchio called Gillies "a hero."

Johnny Boychuk
, who spent six seasons with the Islanders as a defenseman and still works with the team today shared his thoughts on Twitter, saying Gillies was "a genuine person."

Veteran TV and radio broadcaster Howie Rose referred to Gillies as "universally beloved" and the "best power forward of his generation."

Former Islanders forward Ray Ferraro said Gillies was "an amazing man."

Outside of the Islanders organization, the feeling of loss was the same. The Pittsburgh Penguins shared a statement from Mario Lemieux who played against Gillies for four seasons.

Retired NHL referee Kerry Fraser also summed up Gillies' personality.

In addition to his skill and toughness on the ice, Gillies was also lauded for his work with the
Clark Gillies Foundation
, a non-profit organization to help disadvantaged children.