New York Islanders Captain Denis Potvin Shakes Hands with Wayne Gretzky After Winning Fourth Straight Stanley Cup Against Oilers
On Tuesday, May 17, 1983, the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, played host to a moment etched forever in hockey history. The New York Islanders, a team that had become synonymous with excellence, grit, and unwavering teamwork, secured their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup title by defeating the formidable Edmonton Oilers 4-2 in a tightly contested final. The victory marked the culmination of a dynasty and a symbolic passing of the torch, embodied by the iconic image of Islanders captain Denis Potvin shaking hands with a young but already legendary Wayne Gretzky.
As the final horn sounded and the crowd erupted into thunderous applause, it wasn’t just another championship for the Islanders—it was a statement. A declaration that this team, built on discipline, experience, and unity, still ruled the National Hockey League. With the confetti falling and chants of celebration echoing across the stands, the players from both teams gathered at center ice for the traditional handshake ceremony, a gesture that encapsulates the sportsmanship and mutual respect so deeply ingrained in the spirit of hockey. It was during this exchange that Denis Potvin, the Islanders’ leader and one of the most respected defensemen in the league, reached out his hand to a solemn Wayne Gretzky.
The image of the two players—Potvin, the seasoned veteran and architect of New York’s blue line dominance, and Gretzky, the young maestro destined to change the game—captured more than just a fleeting moment of sportsmanship. It was a powerful juxtaposition: the present glory of the Islanders against the looming future of the Oilers. Gretzky, despite the loss, stood tall, his eyes betraying a quiet intensity and a promise that he and his team would return. Potvin, meanwhile, bore the marks of a grueling series and the weight of leading a team to four straight titles, an achievement matched by few in the sport’s long and storied history.
The 1983 Stanley Cup Final pitted two distinct hockey philosophies against each other. The Islanders, coached by the legendary Al Arbour, were known for their relentless defensive play, strategic precision, and physicality. Their system wasn’t always pretty, but it was brutally effective. They had perfected the art of playoff hockey, where every mistake is magnified and every opportunity must be seized. Players like Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, Billy Smith, and Potvin had become postseason juggernauts, their synergy and consistency proving too much for nearly every opponent over the past four years.
On the other side stood the Edmonton Oilers, a team brimming with raw talent, youthful energy, and the dazzling offensive flair spearheaded by Gretzky. Nicknamed “The Great One,” Gretzky had already rewritten the regular-season record books and was carving out a legendary career. Alongside Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, and Grant Fuhr, the Oilers represented the future of the NHL. Their speed, creativity, and high-octane offense promised a new era, one that would eventually redefine the very nature of professional hockey.
But in 1983, the Islanders’ experience and poise prevailed. Throughout the series, New York executed their game plan with surgical precision. While Edmonton flashed moments of brilliance, they were often stifled by the suffocating defense and playoff-tested resolve of the Islanders. Goaltender Billy Smith, known for his fiery demeanor and clutch performances, was sensational in net, frustrating the Oilers’ sharpshooters with save after save. His ability to rise to the occasion in the biggest games once again proved decisive. Mike Bossy continued his torrid scoring pace, finding the back of the net with that signature quick release, while Trottier’s two-way excellence and Potvin’s commanding presence on the blue line gave the Islanders balance and depth that no team could match.
Game 4, played on home ice at the Nassau Coliseum, was a microcosm of the Islanders’ dominance. They played with intensity, forcing turnovers, clogging passing lanes, and capitalizing on mistakes. The home crowd, fervent in their support, sensed the importance of the moment. Each shift, each hit, each block carried the weight of history. The final score of 4-2 belied the control New York exerted for much of the game. When the final minutes ticked away and victory was assured, the celebration was tempered by a deeper appreciation of what had been accomplished.
Four consecutive Stanley Cup titles. It was a feat that had not been achieved since the Montreal Canadiens’ run in the late 1970s, and before that, only a handful of teams had ever come close. The Islanders, once an expansion team in the early 1970s, had climbed to the top of the hockey world through careful drafting, player development, and a culture of accountability instilled by Arbour and general manager Bill Torrey. This fourth championship was the crown jewel, a testament to their consistency, character, and refusal to relinquish their throne.
As Potvin and Gretzky shook hands, it was clear that change was coming. The Islanders’ dynasty, while not yet finished, was nearing its twilight. The Oilers, though bested in 1983, were learning valuable lessons in defeat. Lessons that would serve them well in the years to come. Indeed, just one year later, Edmonton would return to the Stanley Cup Final and capture their first title, launching a dynasty of their own that would dominate the remainder of the 1980s. In many ways, the 1983 Final was the bridge between two great eras, with the handshake at center ice symbolizing the respect and rivalry between them.
For Denis Potvin, the moment was both triumphant and reflective. He had been with the Islanders from the beginning, the franchise’s first overall draft pick in 1973. Over the years, he had matured into one of the game’s premier defensemen, blending offensive skill with punishing physical play and tactical intelligence. As captain, he was the emotional backbone of the team, a voice in the locker room and a force on the ice. Lifting the Stanley Cup for the fourth time validated not only his career but also the collective journey of the franchise.
Wayne Gretzky, meanwhile, took the loss with grace. Despite being held in check by the Islanders’ disciplined defense throughout the series, he showed flashes of brilliance that reminded everyone of his extraordinary talent. At just 22 years old, his best years were still ahead of him. The pain of defeat was evident, but so too was the understanding that greatness often requires setbacks. His handshake with Potvin wasn’t just a courtesy; it was a recognition of what it takes to reach the top and a silent vow to return stronger.
The 1983 Stanley Cup Final remains one of the defining moments in NHL history. It was the culmination of a dynasty and the foreshadowing of another. The Islanders, with their fourth consecutive championship, solidified their place among the league’s all-time great teams. The Oilers, in defeat, gained the experience that would soon catapult them into greatness. And in the handshake between Potvin and Gretzky, the hockey world witnessed not just the end of a series, but the beginning of a new chapter.
In the decades since that night in Uniondale, both teams have experienced their share of ups and downs, but the legacy of that 1983 Final endures. Fans still recall the roar of the Coliseum, the battles on the ice, the saves, the goals, and most of all, the mutual respect displayed in that post-game ceremony. It is moments like those that transcend the box score and remind us why we cherish sports. The New York Islanders’ victory was more than just a win—it was a masterclass in perseverance, leadership, and excellence. And as Denis Potvin extended his hand to Wayne Gretzky, the torch was not just passed—it was honored.
