Reactions poured in from all quarters shortly after the announcement of Mike Bossy’s death at the age of 65 on Friday morning, with several high-profile organizations and individuals taking a few moments to express their sadness.
• Read also: Legendary Mike Bossy dies at 65
• Read also: Death of Mike Bossy: Guy Lafleur has a heavy heart
• Read also: “I love you, Mike” – Bryan Trottier
In TVA Sports studios, hosts, journalists, managers and other employees could not hide their pain. They had the chance to get to know, in Mike Bossy, a man with a smile on his face and concerned about the well-being of others.
“Mike was recognized not only as one of the best players in the history of the National Hockey League, but also as a passionate, courageous, frank and generous gentleman, underlined in a press release the general manager of TVA Sports, Louis-Philippe Neveu. As he fought a hard battle against illness with strength and resilience, Mike will certainly have fought with the same determination and ardor as he displayed on the ice.
“Mike will have scored more people than he has scored goals in his illustrious career. At first contact, we love Mike Bossy and that’s exactly what happened to me. He is a larger-than-life character that I appreciated,” added host Jean-Charles Lajoie on the air.
The compliments were the same from Marc-André Perreault and Elizabeth Rancourt.
“It is with immense pain that I learned of the death of colleague and friend Mike Bossy. An extraordinary man, genuine, funny, incredibly kind. What an honor to have had the chance to rub shoulders with my idol,” said the first.
“My heart is broken. I remember our beautiful moments in the studio. Your beautiful smile, your incredible anecdotes and all the love that a kind grandpa exudes. We will be bored Mike. Have a good trip! All my condolences to the family,” wrote Rancourt.
Describer of the matches at TVA Sports, Félix Séguin also paid tribute to Bossy.
“Goodbye Mike! For many, you were one of the best scorers. For me, you will have been one of the best people I have met.
Tribute in the evening?
Life sometimes doing things strangely, Bossy died the same day of a game of his former team at the Bell Center. To date, the plans of the organization of the Habs as to a tribute or a mention of his departure before the meeting remain to be specified. However, she reacted quickly on social media.
“It is with great sadness that we learned of Mike Bossy’s passing this morning. Our thoughts are with his friends, family, former teammates and colleagues at TVA Sports. A true legend of our sport, he will be greatly missed.”
Among the Islanders, this is another huge loss, those who were grieved by the death of Clark Gillies on January 21.
“The New York Islanders organization is in mourning over the departure of Mike Bossy, an icon not only on Long Island, but also in the entire hockey world,” said general manager Lou Lamoriello. His desire to be the best every time he put his skates on the ice was unmatched. Along with his teammates, he helped the franchise win four consecutive championships, forever shaping its history.
what they said
“It’s an incredibly sad day for all hockey fans, friends and family. Obviously, he left too young. People will remember that he was a great player and a great person.”
– Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner
“It was an honor to play with you, we will miss you”
– Wayne Gretzky, posting a photo of the two players with the Canadian team
“I have a heavy heart hearing this sad news. We have lost a great man and a legend.”
– Guy Lafleur
“Very sad to learn of the passing of the great Mike Bossy. I had the opportunity to meet him a few times. He was so friendly. (…) The number 22 was quite a scorer: 573 goals in 10 seasons! He led the Islanders to four Stanley Cup victories with Bryan Trottier, Clark Gillies, Denis Potvin and Billy Smith. He marked my generation!”
– François Legault, Premier of Quebec