Celebrating 50 years of NY Islanders Hockey With the All-Decade Team: 1972-1981

1980 NHL Stanley Cup Finals - Philadelphia Flyers v New York Islanders
1980 NHL Stanley Cup Finals - Philadelphia Flyers v New York Islanders | Focus On Sport/GettyImages
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RW- Bobby Nystrom

Bob Nystrom
1980 NHL Stanley Cup Finals - Philadelphia Flyers v New York Islanders | Focus On Sport/GettyImages

As one of the most clutch performers in the history of the Islanders, Bobby Nystrom earned the nickname "Mr. Islander" for his playoff performances during crunch time. Five times Nystrom scored the overtime game-winner for the Isles, including his cup-clinching goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in 1980.

""It was a great moment, I always think of it as I thank God for putting me in that position and given the opportunity to do something for my teammates that we all wanted to do. I was thrilled, and I couldn't do it for a better group of guys.""
Bobby Nystrom

Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Nystrom was one of the first European-born players to lift Lord Stanley's cup. One of the club's original draft picks, Nystrom, was selected in the third round of the 1972 draft.

Nystrom never had the same success offensively that some of the names in the rafters surrounding him achieved. His most productive season was in 1978-79 when he managed 59 points (30 goals, 29 assists). Nystrom was known more for his solid two-way game as he was equally effective in the defensive zone as Trottier was in the offensive.

Spending his entire career only playing for the Islanders, Nystrom had his number retired during the 1995 season. Since his retirement, Nystrom has remained active in the Long Island community and continues to earn his "Mr. Islander" nickname.

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