“Sending our thoughts and prayers to the Howe family and to the millions of hockey fans who, like me, loved Gordie Howe”. While scoring at that pace, Howe racked up 1,685 penalty minutes – more than fellow Hall of Famers Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Marcel Dionne combined. “Obviously he was anxious to make an impression, and he certainly did in a physical way, as well”.
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A statue of Howe stands outside a hockey arena in Saskatoon, and his name adorns a road and numerous other sports facilities in the area, including one that was named previous year. “Gordie Howe was ambidextrous”. Howe continues to hold National Hockey League records for most games and seasons played.
What’s unquestioned is the impact Howe made on the sport in re-writing its record books during a career that began with the Detroit Red Wings in 1946 and ended in 1980 in Hartford, where he played alongside sons Mark and Marty.
Many considered Howe the greatest hockey player of all time, as he was affectionately known as “Mr Hockey” by the end of his long career.
Watson says Howe “was a credit to the game and a credit to life”. They were great friends ever since.
“For me, he’s the greatest hockey player who ever played”, Gretzky said on the “Dan Patrick Show”. “I saw him play forward and defense, I never saw him play goal, but I’m sure he could have”.
Howe’s death at the age of 88 on Friday led to an outpouring of gratitude from numerous current and former hockey stars for the impact he made on their careers.
“Three plays later, Gilles went to check Gordie again and Gordie saw him coming and gave Gilles an elbow that broke his jaw”, Parent said. Howe only registered a few of them, but the tradition is a testament to his all-around ability.
Howe suffered a serious stroke and almost died in October 2014, but he underwent stem cell treatment last summer and improved so much he was able to attend a Red Wings game this March. His tough play on the ice hid the quiet, unassuming demeanor the self-described “lucky old farmboy” had away from the rink.
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He played 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings before retiring in 1971, but Howe wasn’t done playing hockey.
