Gordie Howe, one of hockey’s greatest players, has passed away today at the age of 88.
Howe began his NHL career in 1946 with the Detroit Red Wings, spending 25 years with them before retiring in 1971. At the time he was the league’s all-time leader in goals and points.He led the Wings to four Stanley Cup titles in the 1950s.
Howe won the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s leading scorer and the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league MVP six times.He was among the league’s top-five scorers for 20 straight seasons between 1949 to 1969.
He also garnered a reputation for tough play. His sharp elbows were the stuff of legend.
His retirement lasted only two seasons, as he joined his sons Mark and Marty in the World Hockey Association with the Houston Aeros in 1973-74. He played five seasons in the WHA with the Aeros and New England Whalers, amassing 508 points in 419 games and leading the Aeros win two championships.
When the WHA merged with the NHL, Howe, at 51, played one final season with the Whalers. He finished his NHL career with 801 goals and 1,850 points. Those records stood until broken by Wayne Gretzky in 1989 (points) and 1994 (goals). His record of 1,767 games still stands. He’s second all-time in goals and fourth in points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Howe was without question one of the greatest players ever to play the game. His longevity in the game might never be broken. He was an impressive physical specimen and the prototype for today’s power forwards.
Howe was also the inspiration of many players, particularly Wayne Gretzky, who went on to broke many of Howe’s scoring records. Even Gretzky considers Howe the greatest player of all time.
Away from the rink, Howe was a good-natured, soft-spoken man who had plenty of time for his fans. He was a true gentleman and was a fine ambassador for the game long after his retirement.
RIP Mr. Hockey. Thank you for everything you did for the wonderful game of hockey.
One of the great ambassadors for the sport of hockey but also one of the greatest ambassadors for Saskatchewan and Canada. Class act.
As someone who was born and raised in the Metro Detroit area, I was able to meet Mr. Howe several times. He was a man who was soft spoken and very kind. Once while waiting in a car wash line, my dad took me out of the car to meet Gordie Howe who was in front of us. I was around 5 years old at the time. My Howe got out of his car and picked me up and carried on his shoulders thru the viewing area while his and my father cars were being washed. Every time I meet him, he was always a gentleman and very kind shaking your hand with his hand, which seemed to engulf my arm up to the mid forearm. He was a great hockey player, father and man.I cherish the times I was able to meet him. Rest in Peace Mr. Hockey
R.I.P. Mr. Hockey…my sincerest condolences to his family and my Canadian friends…he was a true national treasure…about 30 years ago at MSG,he sat in the press box and after the game he signed endless autographs for Ranger fans…. next year the entire league should wear a #9 on their helmets in his honor
So many stories about the great Gordie Howe. One of my favorites was the time he and Maurice “Rocket” Richard squared off in a much-anticipated tilt. According to Gordie’s autobiography it occurred one night at the Forum when the two were on the ice in a rare face-to-face match-up. As Gordie tells it, he went into a corner with Rocket and “may have gotten his elbow up a little …” at which point Rocket turned and glared at him, indicating he was ready to fight. At once referee King Clancy was yelling “form a circle … form a circle” to give the combatants room. As Gordie tells it, they moved around each other tentatively when Rocket suddenly threw a roundhouse right aimed at Gordie’s head … at which point Gordie ducked back and the punch went wide, sending Rocket off balance and onto the ice, sliding just outside the circle. Again, as Gordie related “poor old Sid Abel could never learn to keep his mouth shut and so leaned over Rocket laying on his back on the ice and crowed “met your match this time Rocket” whereupon Richard sent a another punch which connected this time, re-arranging Abel’s nose.
RIP Mr Howe. Lost another legend.