The 2002 Golden Lions Award winner goes to Clark Gillies, a man who epitomizes professionalism, dignity, and the spirit of giving. .

Hockey fans know Clark Gilles as the team captain of the New York Islanders from 1976-1978 and an integral part of the club’s four Stanley Cup Championship teams. The Islanders selected Clark in the first round of the 1974 amateur draft, and he made his presence felt right away by scoring 25 goals as a rookie. In the 1976-77 season, Clark was joined by Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier to form the greatest line in New York Islanders history. In 1979 Clark led the “Trio Grande” into Madison Square Garden as the NHL’s number one unit in the Challenge Cup against the Soviet Union. During his 14-year NHL career, Clark played on four Stanley Cup teams, was a member of Team Canada, and was named to the 1978 and 1979 NHL All-star team. On November 4, 2002 he was enshrined in the National Hockey League Hall of Fame. .

Since retiring from hockey, Clark has lived here on Long Island with his wife and three daughters: Jocelyn, Brooke, and Brianna. He works as a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services in Melville.

Clark always wanted to give back to the children of the community that supported him as a player, and in 1988 founded The Clark Gillies Foundation to focus on helping children who are physically handicapped or financially challenged. Through his leadership, the foundation is committed to assisting children with medical problems, and provides financial aid to help children achieve goals that would be otherwise unattainable.

Clark has continuously proven that his accomplishment and leadership extend far beyond the ice. It is for his efforts in the community that we honor him tonight with our Golden Lions Award.

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