Human. That’s probably the word that came up most often to describe legendary New York Islanders sniper Mike Bossy on Wednesday.
It was therefore not surprising to see hundreds of fans, artisans from the hockey world and media personalities come to a funeral complex on the North Shore to pay their last respects.
Visitors were able to observe an impressive collection of collages featuring Bossy, superb floral arrangements that formed his number 22, his Hockey Hall of Fame plaque or an Islanders jersey signed by several former NHL stars, including Maurice Richard, Guy Lafleur, Jean Béliveau and Gordie Howe. All this while photos scrolled across the screen.
Passed away by lung cancer at the age of 65 on April 15, Bossy left his mark in both the QMJHL and the NHL, but he also lived up to the man he was even after. his career as a hockey player.
A family man, a man of the people, everyone seemed to have a story to tell about the former Islanders right winger. Two supporters dressed in a jersey of the New York team, who were about to leave the scene, have also shared what it meant to them.
“He was my childhood idol. I had no choice but to come and pay him a last tribute. I was very touched to see the articles with his effigy”, mentioned one of them.
A great career
Bossy played four seasons in the QMJHL, with the Laval National, and he quickly showed that he had an uncommon scoring touch. He scored 309 goals, which still stands today as a Canadian junior hockey record.
Despite four consecutive seasons of more than 70 goals, Bossy had to wait until the 15and rank before hearing his name in the 1977 draft. The Islanders’ head scout at the time, Henry Saraceno, only had eyes for Bossy, and as soon as the player hit the NHL rinks, it did not disappoint.
While at the funeral complex, Mario Saraceno, Islanders scout since the 1979-1980 season and son of Henry, explained how Bossy was a prolific scorer and how much there is a bond that unites them.
“My dad had pushed hard for the Islanders to select Mike. My dad passed away in 1979, so he never got to see Mike dominate and win Stanley Cups, but he was the very strong bond that tied us to my dad and the Islanders, he said. Mike was a great player. I don’t think he always had the recognition he deserved, but I’m happy to see for two weeks that people realize that he was probably the best scorer hockey has ever seen. If he hadn’t had back pain, I think he could have had a dozen or fifteen 50-goal seasons. »
Bossy only played 10 seasons in the NHL, but his career will go down as one of the most impressive of all time. He totaled 573 goals, including nine straight 50-goal seasons, and 1,126 points in 752 games. He also played a leading role in the Islanders dynasty, which won four straight Stanley Cups in the 1980s.
Bossy also won the Calder Trophy (1977-78), awarded as Rookie of the Year, a Conn-Smythe Trophy (1981-82), honoring the NHL’s Most Valuable Player, and three Lady Byng Trophies (1983, 1984, 1986), given to the player demonstrating the best sportsmanship. He also earned eight First Team All-Star selections.
In 1991, Bossy was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame; in 1995, at the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame; and in 1998, in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Hall of Fame. On the occasion of the NHL’s centennial in 2017, he was honored as one of the 100 greatest players in history.
The line he formed with Bryan Trottier and Clark Gillies is one of the most prolific in NHL history.
“It was probably one of the three or four best lines I’ve seen on the ice,” said radio host Ron Fournier, who was an NHL referee until 1987. formed a great trio because all the elements were there. You had your natural scorer, you had the player you trust, who will get the puck and who will give you scoring opportunities, and you had a more imposing player who protected. I never saw [l’entraîneur-chef des Islanders] Al Arbor say something to these three during a game. They were going on the ice and they knew what they had to do. »
A popular personality
Bossy then made the leap into the media. He collaborated with 91.9 Sports before becoming an analyst at TVA Sports. He was known for his outspokenness and opinions, which made him popular with hockey fans.
“He had similarities with Maurice Richard or Guy Lafleur. Mike was an opinionated guy. He let himself go sometimes, without being too critical. It’s tough for these guys, who went through eras where players gave themselves to a team for years and didn’t make a lot of money. Mike, we will never forget him. He had his way of teasing and being sarcastic, with his little smirk,” added Fournier.
What also caught the eye during Bossy’s time in the media was how much respect he had for all of his colleagues, regardless of age or gender, and that he didn’t place himself on a pedestal despite his status as a sports legend.
From radio to television, his desire to improve as a collaborator and analyst even brought him closer to young media artisans who had never seen him lift his Stanley Cups on the ice.
“At the time, at 91.9 Sports, I was starting my career as a producer, and Mike was starting his career in the media. The first time I had to call her, I was shaking. Immediately, I spoke to a man in a good mood, happy to start this new challenge, and he was interested in what I was doing, underlined Daphnée Malboeuf, sports journalist at RDS. For a journalist who lacked a lot of self-confidence and who wanted to do her job well, just having someone authentic and gentle like him changed everything. He wanted to improve in French, so he asked me to help him, and it showed me that it is not because you are a hockey legend that you sit on your laurels. »
On Tuesday, Quebec Premier François Legault said the fleur-de-lis flag would be lowered to half-mast Thursday on the main tower of the Parliament Building in honor of Bossy. Legault will also attend the private funeral in Sainte-Thérèse on Thursday.