Assembly Resolution No. 835

BY: M. of A. Brown K

CELEBRATING the life and stellar career of Mike
Bossy, New York Islanders legend, four-time Stanley
Cup Champion and Hockey Hall of Famer

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals who distinguished themselves through their
exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest
level of personal achievement; and

WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow that this Legislative Body
recognizes the passing of Mike Bossy, noting the significance of his
purposeful life and accomplishments both on and off the ice; and

WHEREAS, Mike Bossy a native of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, died on
Friday, April 15, 2022, at the age of 65, after a battle with lung
cancer; and

WHEREAS, Mike Bossy grew up playing hockey and began competing in
the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League when he was just 15 years-old; he
was selected by the New York Islanders in the first round (15th overall)
of the 1977 NHL Entry Draft; he was a member of the Islanders from
1977-1978 through 1986-1987, playing his entire NHL career with that
team; and

WHEREAS, He was a right winger in a memorable forward line that came
to be called the "Trio Grande," along with Bryan Trottier and Clark
Gillies (1954-2022); and

WHEREAS, Mike Bossy won the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the
Year and, along with his teammates, he helped the New York Islanders win
four straight Stanley Cup Championships from 1980 to 1983, shaping the
history of this franchise forever; and

WHEREAS, He played in 129 playoff games, scoring well over a point
per game with 160 points (85 goals and 75 assists); he also holds the
franchise record for most playoff goals (85); and

WHEREAS, He scored 573 goals (first all-time in franchise history)
and 553 assists (third all-time in franchise history) for 1,126 points
(second all-time in franchise history) in 752 games (seventh all-time in
franchise history); and

WHEREAS, He had nine consecutive seasons of 50+ goals (NHL record)
and scored 60 or more goals in five of those seasons; his 573 career
goals rank 22nd all-time in NHL history and only two players reached 500
goals in fewer games, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux; and

WHEREAS, Mike Bossy represented the New York Islanders at the 1978,
1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985 and 1986 NHL All-Star Games; and

WHEREAS, An exceptionally fast skater and a powerful scorer, Mike
Bossy was known for his refusal to fight, and he won the NHL's Lady Byng
Memorial Trophy for gentlemanly conduct three times; and


WHEREAS, In 2017, the 100th Anniversary of the league, Mike Bossy
was named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" by the NHL, and in 1991,
he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, not long after his
retirement in 1988; and

WHEREAS, Following his playing career, Mike Bossy returned to the
Islanders, offering his incredible insight to the sponsorship, fan
development and community relations departments; he was also a highly
regarded hockey analyst on the top sports network in Quebec, TVA; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of his outstanding career, the New York
Islanders retired his No. 22 sweater on March 3, 1992, and his banner
now hangs in UBS Arena; and

WHEREAS, A gifted athlete, Mike Bossy was a renowned role model in
the sport of professional hockey; his character and achievements stand
as a sterling example and inspiration to all who would aspire to
success; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Mike Bossy leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the
passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served
and befriended; he will be deeply missed and truly merits the grateful
tribute of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life and stellar career of Mike Bossy, and to express its
deepest condolences to his family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Mike Bossy.