Hall of Fame hockey player Mike Bossy has died. He was 65-years-old.
The NHL announced the news and the Islanders tweeted earlier today about Bossy’s death.
"The New York Islanders are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the greatest pure goal scorer, four-time Stanley Cup Champion and Hockey Hall of Fame member, Mike Bossy," a statement on NHL.com read.
A legendary player in the NHL, Bossy was on the Islanders from 1977-1987, selected by the team in the first round of the 1977 NHL draft. He ended up playing his whole career with the Islanders.
According to NHL.com, Bossy was one of 17 Islanders players who won four straight Stanley Cup Championships from 1980-1983.
"The New York Islanders organization mourns the loss of Mike Bossy, an icon not only on Long Island but across the entire hockey world," Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello is quoted as saying.
Bossy was also a top goal scorer. He and Wayne Gretzky hold the distinction of scoring 50 goals in a season nine times. But, Bossy did it nine seasons in a row. Alex Ovechkin stands in third place with eight 50-goal seasons.
Last October, Bossy announced he was battling lung cancer and stepped away from his role as a NHL announcer for a French-language media outlet in Canada.