NHL and Regina Pats legend Clark Gillies passed away on Friday at 67.
“On behalf of the Regina Pats, we send our deepest condolences to Clark’s family,” Pats GM and Head Coach John Paddock said. “It’s a very sad day for his family and the hockey world. He was and will remain one of the greatest Pats ever. Rest in peace, Clarky.”
Gillies played for the Pats from 1971-1974, leading the Pats to a WHL Championship and Memorial Cup in 1973-74. The Moose Jaw native totalled 283 points in 201 games as a Pat.
After the Pats, Gillies was drafted fourth overall by the New York Islanders in the 1974 NHL Entry Draft, beginning an NHL career that would span 14 seasons.
In that time frame, Gillies would spend 12 seasons with the Islanders and the last two seasons with the Buffalo Sabres. He would play in 958 games while scoring 319 goals and 378 assists for 697 points.
Gillies was one of 17 Islanders players that won four straight Stanley Cups Championships from 1980 to 1983. He also was a member of the group that set the NHL record of 19 straight playoff series wins, which still stands today.
He was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame in 2002 and had his number 9 retired by both the Islanders and the Regina Pats.
In 2016, the WHL announced that the fans voted Gillies the 24th best player in league history. He is also a member of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.
Gillies is survived by his wife, Pam, and three daughters (Jocelyn, Brooke and Brianna).
