I was 14 when he was in the WHA. Team came to Toronto...the Toros were playing in this rinky dink university arena... really small. After the pregame warm up...a few of us hung out around the boards. Gordie was amazing. Talked to us for as long was we wanted. Totally nice guy. I will never forget that.
I have been reading the book; "Mr. Hockey" about Gordie's life and career in professional hockey and it has been an excellent read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves hockey. RIP "Mr. Hockey."
Mark Howe would be fairly successful in his own right. He did make the Stanley Cup final twice with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1985 and 1987, both times losing to the Edmonton Oilers. His final year saw him with Detroit, where they were swept in the 1995 final by the New Jersey Devils. Like his dad, Mark would eventually be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
He appeared at a Kalamazoo Wings game (Kalamazoo, Michigan) for an autograph session between the first and second period. Wings Stadium holds about 5,000. Game was sold out. 90% were in the concourse getting an autograph until the 3rd period started. I had two young children, so I was unable to stand in line. He got like a 3-minute standing ovation before the game when he was announced. Priceless!
Great story about Gordie & his sons was once in a game some guy was roughing up his son in the corner so gordie skated over took off his glove took his index & middle finger put them in the guys nose & lifted him off his son & scared the shit out of that player. He was in his upper 40's at the time.
BBBYpsi I think his son was fighting with the guy who was on the top and after a while it was over but the guy wouldn’t get off his son. Gordie told him the fight was over and to get up but he wouldn’t so Gordie “helped” him.
@@rickrick5041 Yes that is correct. It is my opinion & probably many others they should just retire the #9 all around hockey. How can you not retire Mr. Hockey the greatest Icon of hockey's #9 around the league. No one represented hockey off the ice better than he did. A true embassoder
If there was anything to know about hockey Gordie knew it including how to defend himself in whatever way was necessary. I don't think he tried to harm anyone unless they tried something rough on him. They didn't try too often. He also had enormous strength, knew offence and defense, every kind of pass, had deceptive speed, was a great skater, had great stickhandling, shot, position, body checking, absolutely everything. They say he could stickhandle with his nose although that might have been a slight exaggeration.
A top 5 NHL scorer from 1949 to 1969 and then in the WHA a Top 10 scorer in 1974 to 76 and 78. He missed in 77 due to injury missing 18 games. At age 50 he scored 96 points. Do that Wayne Gretzky!
You see America and Canada, Detroit has its good points too. It was an interesting place to be raised that's for sure. Saw Gordie play for the Wings several times and saw the Jr Wings many times. Love me some Michigan.
oh man ... those hairstyles ... damn ... the 70s had a lot of good points, but damn, the hairstyles and fashions were horrible ... awful ... horrawful ...
