Posted on by IPM Editor
Passing of Gordie Howe
10
Jun

It is with great sadness that the Detroit Red Wings mourn the loss of one of hockey’s all-time greats, Gordie Howe, who passed away today at the age of 88.

STATEMENT FROM THE HOWE FAMILY

“Hockey legend Gordie Howe, age 88, passed away peacefully this morning with his family by his side. The Howe family would like to thank friends and fans for their love and support. Gordie had a special connection with Red Wings fans and was always touched by their commitment. We are celebrating the life of a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a friend to all. Arrangements will be announced once they are finalized.”

The longest-tenured player in Red Wings’ history, Gordie Howe career spanned five decades and lasted 2,421 games until age 52, one of many factors that led to Gordie becoming known universally as “Mr. Hockey.” Gordie is survived by his four children, Marty, Mark, Cathy and Murray, and nine grandchildren.

“Today is a sad day for the Detroit Red Wings and the entire hockey world as together we mourn the loss of one of the greatest hockey players of all-time,” said Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch.  “The Red Wings organization and the National Hockey League would not be what they are today without Gordie Howe.  There is no nickname more fitting for him than “Mr. Hockey.”  He embodied on and off the ice what it meant to be both a Red Wing and a Detroiter. He was tough, skilled, and consistently earned success at the highest level. His achievements are numerous and his accomplishments immeasurable.  It is truly a blessing to have had him both in our organization and our city for so many years.  He will be deeply missed.”

Born on March 31, 1928, Gordie was one of nine children born to Ab and Katherine Howe in Floral, Saskatchewan. Howe played his minor hockey in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, before leaving at age 16 to attempt a career in professional hockey. He was noticed by the Red Wings’ scouting staff and signed his first professional contract prior the 1945-46 season, which he spent with the USHL’s Omaha Knights before making the Red Wings as an 18-year-old in 1946-47.

Gordie Howe birthday
Mr. Hockey’s 80th birthday celebration March 30, 2008 at Joe Louis Arena.

Howe’s arrival to the NHL led the Red Wings to their most successful decade in franchise history, capturing four Stanley Cup championships in the 1950s (1950, 1952, 1954, 1955). Howe led the league in points in four consecutive seasons starting in 1950-51, part of a stretch of 20 consecutive seasons where he finished among the NHL’s top five in scoring. Howe won the NHL’s Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top scorer six times (1951-54, 1957, 1963), won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s most-valuable player six times (1952, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963), was an NHL All-Star a record 23 times and made the NHL’s First All-Star Team 12 times and the Second All-Star Team nine times. Alongside Sid Abel and Ted Lindsay, whose jersey numbers hang near his iconic No. 9 in the Joe Louis Arena rafters, Gordie Howe made up one of the most well-known and dominant trios in hockey history, “The Production Line.”

After 25 seasons with the Red Wings, Howe announced his retirement following the 1970-71 campaign. However, his retirement was short-lived, as the World Hockey Association’s Houston Aeros offered him the chance to play alongside two of his sons, Mark and Marty, who were each beginning their professional careers. At the age of 46, Howe recorded 100 points (31-69-100), led Houston to the first of back-to-back WHA championships and was named league MVP. Gordie Howe went on to skate in six seasons in the WHA – four with Houston and two with the New England Whalers – before the WHA folded and the NHL absorbed several franchises. Howe skated one final NHL and professional season with the Hartford Whalers in 1979-80 and still holds the record as the oldest player to play in the NHL, playing his final game at 52 years and 11 days old.

“Gordie Howe was an incredible ambassador for the game of hockey. He was as fierce and competitive as they come but away from the rink he was truly engaging and personable and always enjoyed his interaction with the fans. Gordie set the standard for this franchise during the Original Six era, winning four Stanley Cups, capturing numerous awards and setting an abundance of league records. We will miss Mr. Hockey, who was the greatest Red Wing of all time. Our deepest sympathies go out to Mark, Marty, Murray, Cathy and the rest of the Howe family during this difficult time.” – Red Wings general manager Ken Holland.

Howe left professional hockey as the NHL’s all-time leading scorer with 1,850 points (801-1049-1850) and 1,685 penalty minutes in 1,767 games with Detroit and Hartford. Including his six years in the WHA, Howe amassed 2,589 points (1071-1518-2589) and 2,419 penalty minutes in 2,421 combined regular-season and playoff games. His numerous records and accomplishments also include the most NHL games played, most games played for one franchise (1,687 for Detroit), most goals and points with one franchise (786-1023-1809 with Detroit) and most seasons leading the NHL in postseason scoring (six). He was also the first to play in 1,500 NHL games or record 1,000 professional goals. He is the only player to play in the NHL after age 50 and play in the NHL during five different decades (1947-80). Howe was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972 and was the NHL’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award winner in 2008.

Off the ice, Gordie met his wife Colleen in 1949, and they were married for 55 years until her death in 2009. Colleen handled the family’s business affairs and was involved in helping grow hockey throughout the United States. The Howe family received the Wayne Gretzky Award from the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000 for their efforts in advancing the sport. Colleen founded The Howe Foundation in an effort to help those in need and allow them to enjoy, participate and learn about the sport of hockey, committing to enrich the lives of those who would not otherwise be able to share and experience the great world of sports.

Statement from the President on the Passing of Gordie Howe

“The list of hockey players who suited up in six different decades, including returning to the ice after being inducted into the Hall of Fame, is a short one: it starts and ends with Gordie Howe. But the list of kids who skated around the pond until dark, picturing themselves passing, scoring, and enforcing like Howe, dreaming of hoisting the Stanley Cup like him – that one comprises too many to count. Howe’s productivity, perseverance, and humility personified his adopted hometown of Detroit, to which he brought four championships and which he represented as an All-Star more than 20 times. The greatest players define their game for a generation; over more than half a century on the ice, Mr. Hockey defined it for a lifetime. Michelle and I send our condolences to his sons and daughter, his family, and his loyal fans from Hockeytown to Hartford to Houston and across North America.”

Tom Renney, president and CEO, Hockey Canada

“The hockey community has lost one of its great ambassadors with the passing of Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe. First and foremost, Gordie was a great Canadian, and shared a passion for the game that inspired so many others to pursue their hockey dreams. Though he may have only officially represented Canada once on the ice in the ’74 Summit Series, Gordie was emblematic of our great country’s values and represented the maple leaf as an international sports icon throughout his career and life. He represented everything Canadians want in their sport heroes – toughness, humility, skill, and impact. I hold Gordie Howe amongst Canada’s greatest contributions to sport, and to our nation’s culture. He made us all proud to be Canadian. On behalf of myself and my family, as well as Hockey Canada’s staff, board of directors, our chair Joe Drago, our volunteers, and the more than 750,000 members of Hockey Canada, we want to express our sincerest condolences to the Howe family. Our memories of Gordie will be ones we cherish, always.”

Statement from Ted Lindsay on the passing of Gordie Howe

“I was very sad to learn today of the passing of my longtime teammate, and friend, Gordie Howe. Gordie really was the greatest hockey player who ever lived. I was fortunate to play with Gordie for 12 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings and I’ve known him for over 70 years. He could do it all in the game to help his team, both offensively and defensively. He earned everything that he accomplished on the ice. Beyond hockey, Colleen and his family meant everything to him. Gordie was larger than life, and he was someone who I thought would live forever. My wife Joanne and I extend our condolences to Gordie’s children — Cathleen, Mark, Marty and Murray — and his entire family and many friends during this time.”

Statement from Detroit Lions

Ron Wood President of the Detroit Lions had this to say, “We not only lost a sports legend today, but also one of the most iconic, impactful and beloved people our community will ever know.

“Gordie Howe’s imprint on the city of Detroit, the state of Michigan and the game of hockey was generational and ever-lasting. While he was “Mr. Hockey” to the sports world, he was that and so much more to Detroiters and Michiganders. He was a true gentleman and an inspiration to so many. His legacy will undoubtedly live on forever.

“On behalf of Mrs. Ford, her family and the Detroit Lions organization, we offer our deepest sympathies to Marty, Mark, Cathy, Murray; the entire Howe Family; and the Detroit Red Wings organization.”

Michael Cautillo, President and CEO of Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority

 “The staff, Board of Directors and International Authority of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) are saddened to learn of the passing of Gordie Howe. On behalf of WDBA, I offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

On May 14, 2015, the Governments of Canada and Michigan announced that the bridge between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, will be named the Gordie Howe International Bridge. We are proud to be constructing the new bridge in his name. It is my sincere hope that this bridge will continue Mr. Hockey’s legacy of building extraordinary goodwill between these two countries.”

Statement from Palace Sports & Entertainment on the passing of Gordie Howe 

“All of us at Palace Sports & Entertainment express our thoughts and condolences to the Howe family and the Detroit Red Wings organization in acknowledging the passing of Gordie Howe.  “Mr. Hockey” left an indelible mark on the sports landscape both locally and nationally.  His longevity is unmatched and we were proud to host the memorable game in 1997 where he eclipsed his sixth decade of competition while playing for the Detroit Vipers at The Palace.  His impact on hockey and the region is immeasurable and he was truly a legendary figure.”

Feature photo from L-R: Marty Howe, Mr. Hockey, Bill Gadsby and Mark Howe. Photo from unveiling of the Gordie Howe statue at Joe Louis Arena, April 10, 2007.

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