Now it was the summer of 1980 and Bossy seriously was contemplating being a latter-day Rocket.
Why not? Since his rookie season, 1977-78, the lithe Islanders right wing had been scoring goals as if he had a battery-powered red light in his pocket. Now, he figured that he could do it; score 50 in 50 a la Richard.
RELATED: HOW BOSSY FELL TO THE ISLES IN THE DRAFT
Writing in his autobiography, BOSS -- THE MIKE BOSSY STORY, the Islanders sniper recalled the precise moment when he confessed his prediction to a relative he could trust.
But brother-in-law, Bob, had to promise that he'd button his lip; which Bob did.
"I told Bob that scoring 50 goals was a thrill," noted Mike, "but it wasn't going to be enough. I needed a greater challenge. I'm going for 50 in 50. It hasn't been done in 36 years. I wanted it."
He already had three seasons of 51 goals or more. He had led the National Hockey League in goal-scoring. As Associated Press reporter Barry Wilner observed, "As one of the game's most devastating shooters, Mike was ready for new heights."
"He scores goals as naturally as you and I wake up in the morning," added goalie Glenn (Chico) Resch, who faced Mike as an Islander during practice and then as a foe while goaltending for Colorado.