"Though containing him was the obsession of opposing coaches and checking him the focus of opposing players, Bossy's brilliance was unstoppable and his production relentless throughout his entire career," Commissioner Bettman said. "He scored 53 goals and won the Calder Trophy in 1977-78, and his goal-scoring never waned until the injuries that prematurely ended his career limited him to 38 goals in his final season of 1986-87 -- the only season he didn't eclipse 50 goals. Voted a First Team All-Star five times, he won the Lady Byng Trophy three times and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1982. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991 and named one of the NHL's Top 100 Players in 2017, Bossy was one of our game's all-time greats.
"Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Lucie, their daughters, Josiane and Tanya, his former Islanders teammates and his countless fans on Long Island, the New York metropolitan area and throughout the hockey world. He thrilled fans like few others."
Among his other notable achievements, Bossy became the second player to score 50 goals in 50 games in 1980-81, a record that had been unmatched since Montreal Canadiens legend
Maurice "Rocket" Richard
first accomplished the feat in 1944-45.
Bossy entered the Islanders' game against the Quebec Nordiques at Nassau Coliseum on Jan. 24, 1981, with 48 goals in New York's first 49 games. After being held off the score sheet for more than 55 minutes, Bossy scored No. 49 with 4:10 remaining in the third period, then tied Richard's 50-in-50 mark when he took a feed from Trottier and beat Ron Grahame from the left circle with 1:29 remaining. The postgame celebration included a telegram of congratulations from Richard that was
waiting for him in the dressing room
.