Clark Gillies was the ultimate power forward on the ice.
He could score, he could pass and when he was needed to, he could fight. He was the ultimate teammate and later and was a big part of the Islanders Stanley Cup Dynasty.
Off the ice, Gillies was as nice a person as you could meet, as great of a human being as you could find and he was all about the community of Long Island.
Last Thursday, on what would have been the late Hockey Hall of Famer’s 71st birthday, Gillies certainly had to be smiling down from heaven as The Islanders Children’s Foundation combined with the Clark Gillies Foundation to unveil the New York Islanders Clark Gillies Media Room at Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park.
“We are just so delighted to partner with the Islanders Children’s Foundation and the Clark Gillies Foundation,” said Matt Campo, the CEO of RMHC New York Metro. They presented a check for $200,000 last September which kickstarted our project. It’s going to be our media room. It will be open 24/7 for families of RMHC to enjoy. They can turn on the TV to catch a hockey game, play video games, log into the computer station for remote work or simply relax on the couch.”
On hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony last week was Clark’s wife Pam Gillies, Co-Founder and Board Member of the Clark Gillies Foundation, Islanders Co-Owner Jon Ledecky, Islanders legends Bryan Trottier and Butch Goring and formers Islanders players Josh Bailey and Cal Clutterbuck.
It was another example of the Islanders’ commitment to the Long Island community.
“On behalf of ownership, it means a lot because the Islanders are a community trust,” said Ledecky. The ability to get together with the Ronald McDonald House and the Clark Gillies Foundation and work on something that embodies Clark’s legacy and his love of community and tie it into our desire to be representative of the community makes it all come together.”
The inspirational hockey-themed room provides relaxation and respite to children and families facing a pediatric medical crisis. The room features Islanders logos, replica lockers, murals of the team, Stanley Cup banners and photos of Gillies who played for the Islanders from 1974 to 1986. The space was designed by Kim E. Courtney Interiors and Kim Radovich Home with donated textiles and furnishings.
No doubt that “Jethro” would have loved the room.
“I think he would be proud,” said Trottier. “It reflects what he wanted which was spirit, joy, hope, inspiration…take your mind away from your troubles. Think of the atmosphere at the old Coliseum and UBS and he would hope it would bring some smiles. It just takes their minds away from everything. He would be poking everything and saying what’s this? Look at this over here!”
For more information about the New York Islanders Clark Gillies Media Room or to support the Ronald McDonald House, Islanders Children’s Foundation or the Clark Gillies Foundation, please visit www.rmhcnym.org, www.newyorkislanders.com/icf and www.clarkgillies.org.