The New York Islanders announced Friday morning that franchise legend and four-time Stanley Cup champion Mike Bossy passed away at the age of 65.
The Hall of Fame winger played his entire 10-year career with the Islanders, and is the franchise's all-time leading goal scorer with 573.
It was revealed last year by Bossy that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer.
"The New York Islanders organization mourns the loss of Mike Bossy, an icon not only on Long Island but across the entire hockey world," Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said in a statement. "His drive to be the best every time he stepped on the ice was second to none. Along with his teammates, he helped win four straight Stanley Cup championships, shaping the history of this franchise forever. On behalf of the entire organization, we send our deepest condolences to the entire Bossy family and all those who grieve this tragic loss."
A cornerstone of the greatest dynasty in Islanders history, Bossy holds the Islanders record for career playoff goals (85), and is one of the New York staples who helped the Islanders rattle off 19-straight playoff series victories, an NHL record.
During the 1980-81 season, Bossy became just the second player in NHL history to reach the 50-goal mark in the opening 50 games of the season, joining the great Maurice "Rocket" Richard of the Montreal Canadiens.
Bossy was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991, and was named to the NHL's top 100 all-time greatest players when the league celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2017.
His No. 22 was retired by the Islanders in 1992, and his banner overlooks the ice at UBS Arena alongside Clark Gillies, a longtime teammate who also passed away back in January.
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