Mike Bossy Illness: Mike Bossy Suffered Lung Cancer

Bossy announced that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer on October 19, 2021. Bossy took a leave of absence from his role as an analyst with Montreal-based network TVA to receive treatment. However, he died in Montreal on April 15, 2022.

Bossy, who revealed his illness in October, is regarded as one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history and a vital element of the Islanders’ dynasty that won four Stanley Cups in a row from 1980 to 1983.

The Islanders drafted Bossy, a Montreal native, 15th overall in the 1977 NHL Draft. During the 1977-78 season, he became the first rookie in NHL history to record 50 goals in a season, scoring 53 to win the Calder Trophy.

He went on to score 50 goals or more in each of his first nine seasons, leading the league in 1978-79 with 69 and 1980-81 with 68. Bossy joined Maurice Richard as the second player in NHL history to score 50 goals in 50 games in 1981.

Bossy was married with two daughters before his passing.