The Hockey Legacy of Gordie Howe
Born on March 31, 1928, in Floral, Saskatchewan, Gordie Howe grew up during the Great Depression, honing his skills on frozen ponds with homemade sticks. His raw talent and work ethic caught the attention of scouts, and he joined the Detroit Red Wings at just 18 years old. Howe's early years were marked by resilience—he overcame a near-fatal head injury in 1950 to return stronger, a testament to his toughness. By the mid-1950s, he was the face of the NHL, leading the Red Wings to four Stanley Cups (1950, 1952, 1954, 1955) and redefining the power forward role.
Howe's 1952-53 season was legendary: he won the Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, and led the league in goals (49) and points (95). His rivalry with Maurice 'Rocket' Richard captivated fans, and his 1955 playoff performance—scoring 12 points in 11 games—secured Detroit's last Cup of the era. Howe's physicality was unmatched; he famously said, 'You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take—and 100% of the elbows you don’t throw.' His 1968-69 season at age 41 defied logic, scoring 44 goals and 103 points, proving his timeless skill.
After retiring in 1971, Howe shocked the hockey world by joining the Houston Aeros of the WHA in 1973 to play alongside sons Mark and Marty. He won two AVCO World Trophies (1974, 1975) and returned to the NHL with the Hartford Whalers at age 52, becoming the only player to compete in five decades. Howe's later years were spent as an ambassador for hockey, mentoring stars like Wayne Gretzky. He passed away on June 10, 2016, leaving behind a legacy as the sport's most complete player.
- Milestone 1: Scored his 500th goal on March 14, 1962, becoming the second NHL player to reach the mark after Maurice Richard.
- Milestone 2: Won the Hart Trophy six times (1952, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963), a record for a right winger.
- Milestone 3: The 'Gordie Howe Hat Trick'—a goal, assist, and fight in one game—entered hockey lore as a symbol of his all-around dominance.
- Milestone 4: Played in 1,767 NHL games (regular season and playoffs), a record later broken by Patrick Roy.
- Milestone 5: Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972, with his No. 9 retired by the Red Wings and Hartford Whalers.
- Milestone 6: Returned to the NHL at age 52 in 1979-80, scoring 15 goals for the Whalers and proving age was just a number.
- Milestone 7: Named to the NHL's First All-Star Team 12 times, a testament to his consistency.
- Milestone 8: His 801 NHL goals stood as the record until Wayne Gretzky surpassed it in 1994.