forward) was key for Trio Grande linemates Bossy and Trottier to thrive, as was his clutch scoring ability (54 game-winning goals). He was also inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. Personal life and death Gillies' nickname, "Jethro", came from teammate Ed Westfall, based on the character Jethro Bodine in the TV series The Beverly Hillbillies. When Gillies, per tradition, got to have the Stanley Cup with him for 24 hours after the Islanders won it for the first time in 1980, he let his dog, a German shepherd, eat from it. "Why not?" he responded to critics. "He's a good dog." Gillies, who was honoured by the Islanders on December 13, 2014, remained active in the Long Island community. He was a business development manager at Protective Wealth Consultants in Huntington, New York. He played in 30 to 40 charity softball games per year. He was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame on Long Island in the Hockey Category with the Class of 1998. He was married to Pam, who is also from Moose Jaw. They lived in Greenlawn, New York. His son-in-law, Justin Bourne, is the son of his former teammate Bob Bourne, and worked as an assistant coach of the Toronto Marlies. His nephew, Colton Gillies, played in the NHL between 2008 and 2013. He was not related to Trevor Gillies, who also played for the Islanders. Gillies died of cancer at his residence in Greenlawn on January 21, 2022, at the age of 67. Career statistics Regular season and playoffs International All statistics are taken from NHL.com. Awards WCHL All-Star Team – 1974 Stanley Cup champion – 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 NHL First All-Star Team - 1977-78, 1978-79 References External links 1954 births 2022 deaths Buffalo Sabres players Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States Canadian ice hockey forwards Covington Astros players Edmonton Oilers (WHA) draft picks Hockey Hall of Fame inductees Ice hockey people from Saskatchewan National Hockey League first-round draft picks National Hockey League players with retired numbers New York Islanders draft picks New York Islanders players Regina Pats players Sportspeople from Moose Jaw Stanley Cup champions Deaths from cancer in New York (state)