He is arguably the most successful NHL player from the geographical area that yielded the likes of Dave Scatchard and Dean McAmmond.

Born Thore Robert Nyström in Stockholm, Sweden, Nystrom moved to Hinton, Alberta as a four-year-old[1] and later starred for the BCJHL's Kamloops Rockets in 1969–70.

Nystrom was one of the hardest working, if not the most talented, members of the New York Islanders, who were quickly becoming one of the most feared and respected clubs in the NHL.

[3] He regularly took power skating classes, including training with pioneering instructor Laura Stamm[4] and in time, became a fairly fluid skater with strong hockey instincts.

Nystrom was part of the first NHL team (1979–80 New York Islanders) to win a Stanley Cup with Europeans on its roster.

[6] Nystrom embraced the Long Island community, contributing to various charities in the area and promoting the local businesses whenever possible.

Nystrom continued to be an effective winger through the Islanders' Stanley Cup run, but by 1985, his rugged, aggressive play began to wear his body down.

After playing sparingly through the first three months of the 1985–86 season, Nystrom was accidentally struck in the eye by a high stick from teammate Gerald Diduck in practice on January 5.

Unable to play due to the severity of the injury (he suffered two tears of the retina, which nearly cost him his eye and later required surgery), he was thought to have retired, and he served as an assistant coach for the remainder of the season.

[13][14][15] In 1991, New York began presenting the Bob Nystrom Award to the player "who best exemplifies leadership, hustle, and dedication".