New York Islanders, Fans Honor the Legacy of Mike Bossy

On Friday, Apr. 16, the New York Islanders lost a legend. Four-time Stanley Cup champion and Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Bossy lost his battle with cancer at the age of 65 as the hockey world mourned the loss of the purest goal scorer the game has ever seen.

The New York Islanders were back on Long Island Tuesday night for the first time since Mike Bossy’s passing, an emotional night at UBS Arena.

573 goals
553 assists
1,126 points
4 Stanley Cups

Always in our hearts, Mike Bossy. pic.twitter.com/EgdzToCvGU

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 19, 2022

Just up the staircase at the main entrance of UBS Arena, fans showered his Islanders Hall of Fame plaque with flowers.

An impact made off and on the ice.

Remembering #22. pic.twitter.com/wv96o703Xn

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 19, 2022

“It was pretty special,” Mat Barzal said regarding the tribute. “I looked back into the crowd after the video was done, seen some tears coming down couple of faces and you know, obviously, there’s probably a lot of people in the building tonight that saw him play live and you know, saw him win in Long Island and yeah, it’s just he obviously by the sounds of it, was a pretty special human and a special player. So, you know, amazing tribute by the organization.”

Earlier Tuesday morning, Islanders head coach Barry Trotz spoke on the expectations for the emotions at UBS Arena.

“I would hope that they are extremely high,” Trotz said about the emotions Tuesday night at UBS Arena. “They should be. He is an Islander legend. These are his people. And I would expect an emotional arena today. He’s meant a lot to the franchise, to the fans, had personal relationships with some of the older players that we have, and the players that have stuck around and live in that community. So I would hope it is a very emotional arena. today. And I know it will be.”

And it was.

Mike Bossy only played 10 years in the NHL, but he made the most of his time on the ice.

In 752 regular-season games, Mike “The Boss” Bossy scored 573 goals with 553 assists for 1,126 points. His 573 goals are the most in New York Islanders history. His 553 assists rank third, and his 1,126 points rank second.

Bossy’s career .792 goals per game are not just the highest mark in franchise history but the highest mark in the history of the NHL.

Over his 10 years with the New York Islanders, Bossy was a winner.

He was an eight-time All-Star, a three-time Lady Byng winner, and was awarded the Calder Trophy after scoring 53 goals his rookie season (1977-78).

Bossy played a vital role in the franchise’s ability to win four straight Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983, as he scored 85 goals and recorded 75 assists in 129 career playoff games.

Mike Bossy accomplished a feat that only a select few players have as he scored 50 goals in 50 games in 1982.

in 1991, Mike Bossy was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame, and in 1992 his no. 22 went up to the rafters at Nassau Coliseum.

“You’ve got such a great fan base here that experienced those great Islander teams and that were a part of that stuff at the Coliseum. And then when you lose a guy, a player that was so important to the organization, so important to those Stanley Cups, it’s a sad day for the organization,” Zach Parise said. “I mean, you know, as a player you look, and you see this is one of the greatest goal scorers of all time.”

“You see his name, you see his picture, jersey in the rafters, and so you understand the impact that he had here on the island and with the team.”