The Trio Grande
Encyclopedia
The Trio Grande was a line
of professional ice hockey
forward
s who played together for the New York Islanders
from the late 1970s through the early 1980s. The line consisted of Hall of Fame
rs Bryan Trottier
at center, Clark Gillies
at left wing and Mike Bossy
at right wing.
, while Trottier spent another year in the WCHL
before joining the Islanders in 1975–76, winning the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year and participating in the NHL All-Star Game.
broke up his former top line of Trottier, Gillies and Billy Harris in training camp, inserting Bossy, as a rookie. The results were immediate, as Trottier emerged as a points leader, Bossy emerged as a league's leading goal scorer, while Gillies, the team captain
and a larger presence than Trottier and Bossy, served as an aggressor, as well as a scorer. Bossy won the Calder Trophy that season
. Gillies, at the time 23, was the oldest of the three.
championship, but lost in the Quarterfinals. In 1978–79
, the Islanders repeated as Patrick Division champions and won the President's Trophy (which they would also win in 1980–81
and 1981–82
) but lost in the Semifinals.
Following the disappointments of the prior two seasons, Gillies willingly relinquished the team captaincy to Denis Potvin
prior to the 1979–80 season
.
The Islanders won their first of four consecutive Stanley Cup
s in 1979–80, with Trottier winning the Conn Smythe Trophy
as MVP of the playoffs in 1980
and Bossy winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1982
, scoring 7 goals in the 4 game series against the Vancouver Canucks
. The Islanders also made the Stanley Cup finals in 1984
, losing to the Edmonton Oilers
. Bossy had scored 8 goals after the first three rounds of the playoffs (and 17 goals in the past three consecutive post-seasons), but was silenced completely in the finals series.
and 1985–86
, losing in the Stanley Cup Finals and Division Semifinals, respectively. Following the 1985–86 season, during which his scoring output decreased significantly, Gillies was waived by the Islanders and acquired by the Buffalo Sabres
. Bossy experienced a severe back injury, which forced him to retire following the 1986–87 season
. Trottier would remain with the Islanders until being released after the 1989–90 NHL season.
, as well as the Hart Trophy as league MVP. In 1980–81, Bossy scored 50 goals in the first 50 games of the season
, the first achieve this milestone since Maurice Richard
. Bossy also won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
in 1982–83 NHL season, 1983–84 and 1985–86.
The three members of the Trio Grande made the NHL All-Star Team
in 1977–78 and 1978–79, with Trottier and Gillies making the First Team and Bossy making the Second Team, beaten out by Guy LaFleur
both years. Bossy would make the First Team in 1980–81, 1982–83, 1983–84, and 1985–86. Bossy also made the Second Team in 1984–85, and Trottier was named to the Second Team in 1981–82 and 1983–84.
All three members of the Trio Grande were named to the 1978 NHL All Star Game
. Bossy and Trottier were both named to the 1980
, 1982
, 1983
, 1985
, and 1986
All Star Games. In addition, Bossy was named to the All Star Game in 1981
.
Bossy still holds the team records
for most goals in a season (69 goals in 1978–79) and most points in a season (147 points in 1981–82). Trottier holds the team record for most assists in a season (87 assists in 1978–79).
All three have had their numbers retired by the Islanders.
Line (ice hockey)
A line in ice hockey is a term used to describe a group of forwards that play in a group, or shift, during a game.A complete forward line consists of a left wing, a center, and a right wing, while a pair of defensemen who play together are called a "defensive pairing." Typically, a team dresses...
of professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
forward
Forward (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a forward is a player position on the ice whose primary responsibility is to score goals. Generally, the forwards try to stay in three different lanes, also known as thirds, of the ice going from goal to goal. It is not mandatory however, to stay in a lane. Staying in a lane aids in...
s who played together for the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
from the late 1970s through the early 1980s. The line consisted of Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
rs Bryan Trottier
Bryan Trottier
Bryan John Trottier is a retired Canadian-American professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders, two with the Penguins and one as an assistant coach with the...
at center, Clark Gillies
Clark Gillies
Clark "Jethro" Gillies is a retired professional ice hockey player. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He provided both physical presence and offensive punch for the NHL's New York Islanders during their four-year run as Stanley Cup champions. In a career that spanned 958 games, Gillies...
at left wing and Mike Bossy
Mike Bossy
Michael Dean Bossy is a former Canadian ice hockey player who played for the New York Islanders for his entire career and was part of their four-year reign as Stanley Cup champions in the early 1980s...
at right wing.
Background
All three members of the Trio Grande were highly regarded as amateur players. The Islanders drafted Gillies 4th overall and Trottier 22nd overall in the 1974 NHL Entry Draft, and drafted Bossy 15th overall in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft. Gillies made the Islanders roster that season1974–75 New York Islanders season
The 1974–75 New York Islanders season was the third season for the franchise in the National Hockey League. During the regular season, the Islanders finished in third place in the Patrick Division with a 33-25-22 record qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs...
, while Trottier spent another year in the WCHL
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
before joining the Islanders in 1975–76, winning the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year and participating in the NHL All-Star Game.
Formation
The Trio Grande emerged in 1977. Bossy made the Islanders Coach Al ArbourAl Arbour
Alger Joseph "Radar" Arbour is a retired Canadian ice hockey player and a coach and executive in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
broke up his former top line of Trottier, Gillies and Billy Harris in training camp, inserting Bossy, as a rookie. The results were immediate, as Trottier emerged as a points leader, Bossy emerged as a league's leading goal scorer, while Gillies, the team captain
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
and a larger presence than Trottier and Bossy, served as an aggressor, as well as a scorer. Bossy won the Calder Trophy that season
1977–78 New York Islanders season
The 1977–78 New York Islanders season was the sixth season for the franchise in the National Hockey League.-NHL Draft:-Game log:-Player stats:...
. Gillies, at the time 23, was the oldest of the three.
Playoff success
The Islanders had made the playoffs the three seasons prior to the formation of the Trio Grande, but had not gotten past the Semifinals. In 1977–78, the Islanders won their first Patrick DivisionPatrick Division
The Patrick Division of the National Hockey League was formed in 1974 as part of the Clarence Campbell Conference. The division moved to the Prince of Wales Conference in 1981. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of Lester Patrick...
championship, but lost in the Quarterfinals. In 1978–79
1978–79 New York Islanders season
The 1978–79 New York Islanders season was the seventh season for the franchise in the National Hockey League. The New York Islanders finished first overall by one point over the defending Stanley Cup champions Montreal Canadiens in the regular season standings....
, the Islanders repeated as Patrick Division champions and won the President's Trophy (which they would also win in 1980–81
1980–81 New York Islanders season
The 1980-81 New York Islanders season was the ninth in the franchise's history. It involved winning the Stanley Cup.-Game log:-Player stats:...
and 1981–82
1981–82 New York Islanders season
The 1981-82 New York Islanders season was the tenth in the franchise's history. It involved winning the Stanley Cup.-Game log:-Player stats:...
) but lost in the Semifinals.
Following the disappointments of the prior two seasons, Gillies willingly relinquished the team captaincy to Denis Potvin
Denis Potvin
Denis Charles Potvin is a former defenseman and team captain for the New York Islanders in the National Hockey League and cornerstone for the Islanders' four Stanley Cup championship teams in the early 1980s. His brother, Jean Potvin, was also an NHL defenseman and the brothers were teammates for...
prior to the 1979–80 season
1979–80 New York Islanders season
The 1979-80 New York Islanders season was the eighth in the franchise's history. It involved winning the Stanley Cup. During the season, the Islanders dropped below the 100-point mark for the first time in five years, earning only 91 points....
.
The Islanders won their first of four consecutive Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
s in 1979–80, with Trottier winning the Conn Smythe Trophy
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
as MVP of the playoffs in 1980
1980 Stanley Cup Finals
-See also:* List of Stanley Cup champions* 1979–80 NHL season* 1980 NBA Finals* 1980 World Series* Super Bowl XV-Notes:...
and Bossy winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1982
1982 Stanley Cup Finals
-References:...
, scoring 7 goals in the 4 game series against the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
. The Islanders also made the Stanley Cup finals in 1984
1984 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1984 Stanley Cup Final was held between the Edmonton Oilers and the then-defending champion New York Islanders. Edmonton was making their second-straight Finals appearance, and New York was making their fifth-straight...
, losing to the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. Bossy had scored 8 goals after the first three rounds of the playoffs (and 17 goals in the past three consecutive post-seasons), but was silenced completely in the finals series.
Post-dynasty
The Islanders returned to the playoffs in 1984–851984–85 New York Islanders season
The 1984–85 New York Islanders season was the 13th season for the franchise in the National Hockey League.-NHL Draft:-Game log:-Player stats:...
and 1985–86
1985–86 New York Islanders season
The 1985–86 New York Islanders season was the 14th season for the franchise in the National Hockey League.-Game log:-Player stats:Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals;...
, losing in the Stanley Cup Finals and Division Semifinals, respectively. Following the 1985–86 season, during which his scoring output decreased significantly, Gillies was waived by the Islanders and acquired by the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
. Bossy experienced a severe back injury, which forced him to retire following the 1986–87 season
1986–87 New York Islanders season
The 1986–87 New York Islanders season was the 15th season for the franchise in the National Hockey League.-NHL draft:-Game log:-Player stats:...
. Trottier would remain with the Islanders until being released after the 1989–90 NHL season.
Personal achievements
In 1978–79, Trottier scored 134 points to earn the Art Ross TrophyArt Ross Trophy
The Art Ross Trophy is awarded to the National Hockey League player who leads the league in scoring points at the end of the regular season. It was presented to the NHL by former player, general manager, and head coach Art Ross. The trophy has been awarded 61 times to 25 players since its inception...
, as well as the Hart Trophy as league MVP. In 1980–81, Bossy scored 50 goals in the first 50 games of the season
50 goals in 50 games
"50 goals in 50 games" refers to the act of scoring 50 goals in the first 50 games of a National Hockey League season. Scoring fifty goals in fifty games in the NHL is a rare achievement....
, the first achieve this milestone since Maurice Richard
Maurice Richard
Joseph Henri Maurice "the Rocket" Richard, Sr., was a French-Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League from 1942 to 1960. The "Rocket" was the most prolific goal-scorer of his era, the first to achieve the feat of 50 goals in 50...
. Bossy also won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, formerly known as the Lady Byng Trophy, is presented each year to the National Hockey League "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability"...
in 1982–83 NHL season, 1983–84 and 1985–86.
The three members of the Trio Grande made the NHL All-Star Team
NHL All-Star Team
The NHL All-Star Teams were first named at the end of the 1930–31 NHL season, to honor the best performers over the season at each position.Representatives of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote for the All-Star Team at the end of the regular season.The career leaders in citations are...
in 1977–78 and 1978–79, with Trottier and Gillies making the First Team and Bossy making the Second Team, beaten out by Guy LaFleur
Guy Lafleur
Guy Damien "The Flower" / "Le Démon Blond" Lafleur, OC, CQ is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player who is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted and popular players ever to play professional ice hockey...
both years. Bossy would make the First Team in 1980–81, 1982–83, 1983–84, and 1985–86. Bossy also made the Second Team in 1984–85, and Trottier was named to the Second Team in 1981–82 and 1983–84.
All three members of the Trio Grande were named to the 1978 NHL All Star Game
31st National Hockey League All-Star Game
The Wales Conference All-Star team defeated the Campbell Conference for the fourth consecutive year. Gilbert Perreault scored at 3:35 of sudden death overtime for the winning goal...
. Bossy and Trottier were both named to the 1980
32nd National Hockey League All-Star Game
The 32nd National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, home to the Detroit Red Wings, on February 5, 1980. The Wales Conference all-star team won for the fifth consecutive time. Reggie Leach was voted MVP after scoring one goal and one assist...
, 1982
34th National Hockey League All-Star Game
The 34th NHL All-Star Game was held in Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland, home to the Washington Capitals, on February 9, 1982.- Wales Conference All-Stars :* Coach: Al Arbour | valign=top width=50% align=left |...
, 1983
35th National Hockey League All-Star Game
The 35th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held on February 8, 1983, at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, home to the New York Islanders. In the game, Edmonton Oilers' centre Wayne Gretzky set an All-Star Game record by scoring all of his four goals in the third...
, 1985
37th National Hockey League All-Star Game
The 37th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in the Olympic Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, home of the Calgary Flames, on February 12, 1985. The Wales Conference defeated the Campbell Conference 6–4...
, and 1986
38th National Hockey League All-Star Game
The 38th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut, home to the Hartford Whalers, on February 4, 1986.-Game summary:*Referee: Ron Wicks*Linesmen: Gord Broseker, John D'Amico...
All Star Games. In addition, Bossy was named to the All Star Game in 1981
33rd National Hockey League All-Star Game
The 33rd National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in The Forum in Inglewood, California, home to the Los Angeles Kings, on February 10, 1981.-Game summary:*MVP: Mike Liut, St. Louis Blues...
.
Bossy still holds the team records
New York Islanders records
This is a list of franchise records for the New York Islanders, a team forming part of the National Hockey League. It includes every franchise record ever won by the Islanders, regardless of whether a record was set previously.- Single season :...
for most goals in a season (69 goals in 1978–79) and most points in a season (147 points in 1981–82). Trottier holds the team record for most assists in a season (87 assists in 1978–79).
All three have had their numbers retired by the Islanders.