Mike Bossy Legacy

[@garthfriedberg5666]

Fastest release I never saw. It was in the net before you could get scared that he had the puck. Trottier to Bossy , incredible combo.

[@bulwyf2572]

the best goal scorer in the history of hockey. He would have hit 1000 goals if he had stayed healthy. A total class act. Memory eternal to #22.

[@jacksmith5692]

A Ranger fan since 1970 and Bossy was one of the toughest I ever saw and he never had a fight. He had balls going in the corners, front of the net, in the high traffic areas to score and was one tough bastard. Toughness to me is not about fighting only. Bossy and Mark Pavelich were major league tough. RIP Mike and Pav!

[@jamesconners1701]

Although I am a Habs fan now living in Virginia, Mike Bossy and the rest of the Islanders introduced me to the sport of ice hockey while I grew up about 1.5 miles away from the Coliseum. Thank you for the memories Mr. Bossy, and Rest In Peace.

[@ianregan4008]

Best childhood hero a kid could ask for. Met him 3 times, such a good kind person. Thank you Mike Bossy, R.I.P.

[@michaelorsini9695]

The greatest pure goal scorer the game has ever seen in an era when goons like the Philadelphia Flyers were rewarded for dirty play. He was a class act. May Mike Bossy RIP!

[@thegamersgalaxy2855]

The greatest goal scorer of all time! God speed my childhood memories!

[@TOCC50]

He should’ve worn a back brace

[@marvinlassegue9353]

Accomplished a lot for a 30 year old.

[@PlumpHotdog]

On goalies that stood straight up with Pringle cans for pads.

[@scottsears5545]

But he did it better then an6body else back then.

[@andrewnielsen3016]

Tears today on Good Friday. My favorite player on my favorite team. Mike Bossy's 9 straight 50 goal seasons and average goals per game o f.762 debunks all the what ifs, injuries, hockey era's etc. etc.. Even Wayne Gretzky got injured in season 8 and his consecutive 50 goal season run ended. Mike Bossy is in another realm of scoring and was driven each and every season to get 50 goals. He strived for that with no excuses and the results show. 40 years later and now even with rule changes opening up the game in the last decade the best that we are seeing is maybe 3 consecutive 50 goal seasons and just a few in the .60 avg goals per game range. As well the Islanders that Mike played on had so much character, grit, toughness and high skill. They could play any style of game and beat you. They are the last NHL team to win 3 cups in a row. In their drive for 3 cups they were down 3-1 to the Penguins in Game 5. They scored 2 goals in the final 5 minutes and won in OT. They went on to win the cup that year. This team would just never give up. Can still see Potvin his devastating hip check, great wrist shot and cannon from the point on the power play, Tonelli and the Sutter brothers grinding the puck out of the corner, Billy Carrol, on the penalty kill, Bobby Bourne going end to end, Trottier dominating at center as he played effortlessly and Gillies and Nystrom pounding other teams. They just didn't beat the Oilers the next year - they swept them and shut down Gretzky after a 200 point season. The next year with the tank empty and all banged up they somehow made it to the finals again. The Game 5 in the opening round vs the Rangers still goes as maybe one of the most exciting and dramatic games in NHL history. They just kept fighting through adversity and never gave up enroute to a record that will never ever be broken........ 19 straight playoff series wins......... A true testament to Mike Bossy's and the Islanders going to a higher realm and transcending sports........it was beyond brilliant to watch them overcome adversity... come back and win so many big games in OT....you felt as a sports fan that they rose to another level beyond the game..... All the rest and even the Oilers only ever winning 2 consecutive cups know this and can only wonder what nearly 5 cups in a row would feel like.

[@allthewayfrom]

Well said, Andrew. What a player. What a team.

[@stevenbauer4799]

you are exactly right. did it in an era when players paid a price to score. gretz like bossy both were cases of all the cheap shots to their backs taking its toll on them. plain and simple isles don't win four cups in a row and 19 straight playoff series wins without #22. they could beat teams anyway they wanted to. high scoring, defensive, or just beat you up. the '83 wcf vs. b's was a perfect example of that. And that line of trots and jethro-so feared. even more feared was the pp with potvin running it. bow tile certainly made the right choice at the '77 draft.

[@mcolhoun27]

Growing up in Brooklyn, my friends were all Ranger fans and had their jersey's of Espo, Dugay, whomever. i had my #22 Islander jersey whenever we would play roller hockey. in the pre-cable TV days, there was a subscription service that would show the games. it would be the whole wavy screen on Chanel 68. i'd listen to the game on the radio and i didn't care how little i could see (we couldn't afford this home theater service), i'd still have the wavy screen on to make out what i could. 4 straight Cups, 19 series in a row won. Even in his final season, 38 Goals in 63 Games. I've lived now in NJ longer than the life i lived growing up in Brooklyn, by my love of the Islanders is as strong as ever RIP to Mike Bossy

[@garypic4083]

RIP MIKE love watching him play

[@bluesjunkie69]

As a kid growing up in Montreal watching those incredible Habs teams win Stanley Cup after Stanley Cup from '76 to '79, I just hated Mike Bossy and the Islanders with a passion for continually beating my team in the early 80's. Now that I'm older, I can appreciate and respect what a pure goal scorer he was and how incredibly good those Islander teams were. More importantly, Mike Bossy was a really classy person for not wanting to fight and for his giving back to the community. I was really shaken and taken aback when I read he passed away so young. Mike Bossy was a really good human being and a true man of character. RIP.

[@dougbrowne9890]

I am heartbroken today. My favorite player, since his rookie season, has been called home. To me, Bossy is the GOAT of goal scorers, period! I will never love another player, like Mike Bossy, again.

[@padlarge]

My absolute favorite as well, devastated when I saw the news 😢😭💔 #22 Feels like a beloved family member passing, that's how much he meant to me. My childhood hero, RIP 😔

[@maryk6192]

For the first 9 seasons he was always in BEAST MODE!!. Can't imagine how easily he would score in today's "soft" game.

[@claude122]

@@maryk6192i wonder how many goals would ovechkin score back then when goalies couldnt stop a beach balls with bad techniques

[@scottsears5545]

He was absolutely magical

[@dougbrowne9890]

@@claude122 If Bossy took as many shots as Ovechkin, he would have scored 100 goals a season.

[@bruce8321]

10 years just like Orr. Two greats that never got to finish up.

[@bufnyfan1]

Mr. Bossy injured his left knee cap while doing high school track and field. Ultimately the injury didn't heal properly and it affected his gait. Although he could skate well his gait ultimately put pressure on his back and led to his chronic back problems-unfortunately rest (including a year off hockey) and surgery didn't improve the condition

[@marcgregoire8095]

FANTASTIC mike.on and off the Ice,

[@adamd8118]

Always one of my favourites even though I never saw him play glad I grew up with the legends of hockey documentaries.

[@kenarthur6253]

True Legend. His Islanders Teams dominated like no other team. Rest in peace, Legend

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Mike's are tough ...I know this much ✌👊🏒

[@АндрейАнисимов-г6м]

Вы можете не любить Россию, но мы скорбим с Вами, легенда не в политике!

[@davisvanags7137]

Why do you need to bring politics in here?

[@lawrencewright2816]

@@davisvanags7137 I don’t think he was trying to bring politics into this.

[@analogidc1394]

I used to dislike Mike Bossy, because he didn't play for my team. God bless you Mike.

[@karlpark8575]

Beside being a great hockey player, he was a wonderful human being.

[@jeremylaing2968]

An absolute legend. RIP Mr. Bossy

[@brianvanwinkle7909]

The best player to ever wear the Islanders uniform. To my favorite player RIP!!

[@jmj7599]

Top 5 all time

[@427bullis]

Best shooter ever

[@ChrisDutch]

R.I.P. Mike,thanks for all the memories as well as your character and grace as a human being.

[@nomadx2142]

GOAT -pure goal scorer # 22

[@9952275]

Best ever

[@TheWill.Suttie45]

R.I.P. Mike Bossy

[@artbach4136]

scored all of those goals with out the aid of a composite stick

[@martinsundland7614]

The epitome of a classy hockey player - like Jean Beliveau.

[@scottsears5545]

Well said

[@Mixednuts2]

Sad day in Islander no everywhere is NHL land.

[@September2004]

Wow, Bill Torrey looks so unrecognizable and sounds different compared to his Islanders days.

[@sammyweed4771]

That Islanders team where fun to watch. And Mike Bossy was my favorite growing up. Lots of great memories…. Gone miss you # 22 RIP

[@sweetitis]

My Top Five All Time #5-Gretzky / #4 -Lafluer/ #3Howe / Tied for 1st Bobby Orr and Mike Bossy The Gentlemany Player Awards were as amazing as all else!

[@rolieg81]

Don't think anyone reading this comment will ever see another player score 17 goals in 3 straight playoff seasons.

[@nouredineramjon639]

All my thoughts to the family and fans

[@nickythecat6826]

He derserved to live longer

[@stocksgoupward5922]

All time Greatest Right winger of all time. He was maybe the greatest goal scorer of all time too who saw his career end short because of back trouble. RIP Mike Bossy

[@gymguy25]

Uh... Gordie Howe was a right winger!! Greatest goal scorer of all time though? quite possibly!

[@stocksgoupward5922]

@@gymguy25 Bossy scored 50 plus goals 9 straight seasons, until he got hurt. 4 cups too. career over at 30. what a shame and now passes at 65. from one of the greatest lines in NHL History; Trottier , Bossy and Gillies only Trotttier now is still alive. that is crazy.

[@cynthiastines8918]

I believe if he hadn't retired young, he might have scored 200 or 300 more goals. R. I. P. #22

[@bufnyfan1]

interestingly Mr. Bossy although having grown up in Montreal and playing Junior Hockey in Laval didn't learn fluent French until he was 16-and that was because he flipped a coin with his future wife Lucie as to if he would learn French or she would improve her English and Lucie won the coin toss. But as it turned out when Mr. Bossy was drafted by the Islanders Lucie was forced to improve her English anyway

[@denisrodrigue829]

So sad

[@maxrates]

What a goal! 3:30

[@allthewayfrom]

It was astonishing to watch at the time. I was like, "Did he just..." and then saw the replay. Yep, he sure did. Incredible.

[@stevenbauer4799]

most unbelievable goal. classic highlight reel type of goal.

[@pierrebeaulieu7293]

Son but contre Vancouver coucher au vol sur le ventre, je n'ai jamais vu ça.

[@SLAYERSWINE1]

#GOAT Right winger. What Bossy did in 10 years was amazing. Class act too while playing as well as how he conducted himself in his life #RIP

[@bufnyfan1]

Mr. Bossy had stated he could have continued to play but because he wouldn't be able to maintain his previous level of excellence he retired. In his last season in 63 games, he scored 38 goals that ended his 9-year streak of 50 or more goals in a season-a recond I doubt will ever be broken

[@stevenbauer4799]

patty l. said bossy could flip the puck on its side and roll it thru the five hole. That's why #22 was so good at it. Underrated 40 goal isle scorer ziggy palffy studied tape of bossy scoring to better understand the art of it. Bossy said he aimed for the crest on the goalies jersey when shooting. Out of the generational players-gretz was the best player all-time statistically with all the records that will never be broken. Mario was the most skilled player ever-had the size to go with it. Gordie was the best all around player, could do it all, and one of nhl's toughest players ever. orr revolutionized the game. could skate like the wind, tough, and so skilled there will never be another orr. bossy plain and simple is the best pure goal scorer-ever-in nhl history. And if the wonky back didn't end his career after just 10 seasons-with nine straight 50 goal seasons-and 574 goals ovi would be chasing #22 as well today. Of course i wasn't him-no one could be-but as a kid when we played hockey and picked a player to be that day my first choice was always #22 my all-time favourite player. Just sad now. rip #22.

[@stevenbiggar8223]

There never never going be a great goal scorer in history ..his career cut short.. My ideol my hero when i was a kid

[@snowman22ism]

This makes me sad.

[@benbanfield6349]

Makes me think what If the injuries hadn’t taken him out what he would’ve done till around 34-35. Definitely would’ve led the nhl in all time goals. Rip HOF.

[@dsc4178]

RIP. Like Joe Sakic years later, how Bossy got drafted way after he should have been. Montreal blew it on Bossy, Leafs on Sakic.

[@robmorrison1043]

The Rangers passed on Bossy TWICE in the first round. They picked Duguay and Lucian Debluah. I bet they wanted a do over!

[@scottsears5545]

Disagree, he wasn't rated that high...draft with info you gave on draft day not later

[@rickhammond2473]

Today's degenerates are saying Ovechkin is a better goal scorer than Bossy.Ovi is a clown.

[@marvinlassegue9353]

Pat LaFontaine and Mike Bossy would have been a great duo.

[@cowetascore8476]

They played together on power plays. Trots, Bossy, LaFontaine, Potvin and Tomas Johnsson. Lots of icetime together

[@nouredineramjon639]

Rip Mike Bissy

[@marcotrinchini4615]

Go look at his stats in junior......

[@joelincolnlincoln6315]

I wish him and don mattingly kept playing even half their games. Nowadays a guy will play one game every 3 years before he retires to get his money

[@russellbrown6975]

Gretzky was great, but bossy was better

[@cowetascore8476]

Different players. Both great. Gretzky had vision. Boss was the greatest sniper that ever lived.

[@lawrencewright2816]

I read that it was lung cancer that killed him. That tells me he was probably a smoker. Very sad. I think we all knew people who found themselves in that predicament for the same reason.

[@LePhil79]

The next one might be Guy Lafleur. He was a smoker, and is currently fighting a lung cancer too.

[@lawrencewright2816]

@@LePhil79 Bloody hell. I didn’t know about Lafleur. I am sorry to hear that. I don’t approve of smoking, but we all have our shortcomings. I will not preach about it.

[@lawrencewright2816]

@@LePhil79 I just saw a news flash saying that Lafleur has just died. Damn those addictive cigarettes. More addictive that heroin according to what I have read. Very sad time.

[@LePhil79]

@@lawrencewright2816 Yes I saw that this morning, didn't think it will happen this soon. My two grand-fathers died of lung cancer. Both were smokers, plus one was working in asbestos mines and the other was a fireman in Montréal, when there was much more big fires than today. Times were rougher. Today's kids smoke much less than before, it's the obesity rate that is alarming.

[@lawrencewright2816]

@@LePhil79 The sad fact is that young people today are doing themselves much more harm from the coof vaccine than the previous generation did with tobacco.