This Day in Isles History: Dec. 7

Dec. 7, 1996 - Clark Gillies' No. 9 is retired.
Of his 14-year NHL career, Gillies spent 12 years on the Island. The fomer left-winger won four-straight Stanley Cups with the Isles from 1980-83. Gillies amassed 663 points (304G, 359A) throughout 872 games. Gillies' 663 points are ranked fourth-all time in franchise history and his 891 PIMs are ranked eighth overall in franchise history.

Gillies was named the second captain in franchise history, serving from 1976-1979. Gillies was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. On Dec. 7, 1996, the Islanders sent his No. 9 into the rafters.

Dec. 7, 1988 -Terry Simpson is dismissed as Islanders coach. Al Arbour returns to the bench.
The Isles legendary bench boss returned in 1988 after having previously held the helm from 1973-86, where he triumphantly helped lead the Isles to the impressive feat of four-straight Stanley Cup victories.

In his second stint with the Isles, Arbour coached from 1988-94, and returned once more for his final game in 2007, where he coached his 1,500th-career game. From 1988-94, the Islanders reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs three times and reached the Eastern Conference Final -for the first time since their Cup runs - in 1993.
During his career, Arbour compiled a coaching record of 740-537-223 and won the Jack Adams - the award annually distributed to the NHL coach that adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success - during the 1978-79 season.