Simply put...Clark Gillies. Gillies established himself as a fighter during his junior years and carried a reputation with him in to the NHL as a very tough and good fighter. He played from the early 70's through the mid 80's for the New York Islanders and his last year with the Buffalo Sabres. He was strong and tall and many of his fighting victories began to be spoken about throughout the National Hockey League during his first few years in the NHL.
He defeated Flyers tough-guy George Shultz in such an overwhleming manner that he became known as the heavyweight champion of the NHL. His bouts with Terry O'Rielly in the 1979-80 playoffs are also well known. Gillies has been known to say that he never went out looking for a fight, but didn't back away from fighting either. He allowed his reputation to carry the burden, in a similar manner as a father giving the "look" to his son where the fear of punishment was all that was needed.
Also need to mention that he broke Ed Hospadar's face with one punch. You Tube it.
The address of the Asian-Pacific Islander-American History Proj Of Greater Roch is: Po Box 10503, Rochester, NY 14610-0503
long island.
Doug Weight, #93
Graeme Townshend
New York Fighter Wing was created in 1942.
Lew Alcindor
Denis Potvin New York Islanders
A Game Fighter - 1924 was released on: USA: 26 November 1924 (New York City, New York)
Fighter's Paradise - 1924 was released on: USA: 28 June 1924 (New York City, New York)
New York is indeed the greatest city on Earth.
A Rough Shod Fighter - 1917 was released on: USA: 1917 USA: 18 February 1927 (New York City, New York) (re-release)
As far as I can determine, the original ownership gave their team the name Islanders because they play on the Long Island area of NYC.