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Gordie Howe Mr. Hockey RIP (1 Viewer)

Wow. I'm not much of a hockey fan but this guy was a true legend. 

One of my dad's best friends is a Michigan State alum who played against Howe in college. 

 
When I was younger my dad had season tickets to the Blues when they first started in the second row corner - and at games you would know who to look for and could see how great they were easily with your eyes, like a spotlight was on the player during the game. Gordie Howe was such a player - big and smooth and tough - on each shift when he stepped on the ice you sat up a little in your seat to see him in action. RIP

 
:(

Sad day for the hockey community. Highly skilled and tough as nails on the ice, but a true gentleman and ambassador off the ice.

 
The small boy inside of you really gets hurt a little when these supermen die.  Ali, Howe.  They are supposed to live forever.

 
zamboni said:
Ask any old-timer and they would say running into him was like hitting a brick wall. Messier was built much the same way.

Also a reason no one wanted to fight him. Like this.
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Da Guru said:
Natural strength. That was decades before any player touched a weight.  The players that played against him said he was the strongest guy in the league.
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I knew the stories of him being a tough SOB. Have been to a couple charity dinners with him in attendance and he didn't seem like a guy who was that big back in the day. Picture was quite surprising. 

 
Very sad. Given the last year or two, not unexpected though :(.

Part (okay a lot) of me is still hoping they change their mind and name the new area after him.

RIP.

 
Aw, man. Yankee23Fan noted he was supposed to live forever. He played nearly forever. This is sad, but it seems like he had a full and happy life.  

RIP Gordie. 

 
Da Guru said:
Natural strength. That was decades before any player touched a weight.  The players that played against him said he was the strongest guy in the league.

Gordie was in his mid 40s in this clip.
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The hit at 0:04 probably draws a phone call from the Department of Player Safety these days.

Posted this in the playoff thread, as well ... Gordie was playing in the WHA when I first started watching hockey in the mid-'70s, and I never got to see the Whalers before they came back to the NHL. But it's awesome that he got to play that one last season with his sons in Hartford and it wasn't a publicity stunt by any means ... 15-26-41 while playing all 80 games.

I'm glad I was able to go with my dad to see Gordie play in an oldtimers' game a couple of years later. He was a legend who transcended generations.

RIP, Mr. Hockey

 
Major bummer.  Grew up in the Hartford area when the three Howes were all playing.  My Dad became friends with him years later (he was a raging alcoholic and his second home was "Gordie's Place" in Glastonbury.  I met Gordie a bunch of times as a kid (going to Gordie's with my Dad), as a teenager (I used to be locker room attendant at Glastonbury Hills Country Club where he played), and most recently as an adult, when I took my son to meet him as a kid at an autograph signing at Westfarms about 10 years ago.  It's funny but I was just telling my son about that story on Sunday (he's now 16).  The signing was in a small sports store in the Mall at a strange time - early Saturday afternoon - and the Mall was empty.  We got there right at the end of the signing and nobody else was in the store.  Gordie was blasted drunk.  He played with my son for about 10 minutes.  It was hysterical.  He was doing magic tricks, goofing on him like he was really going to beat him up.   My son didn't know what to make of the guy.

I saw a game once where he and his two sons were on the ice at the same time.  It was pretty cool.  Old Gordie flying around with his gray hair - the only guy on the ice without a helmet!  I was also at the Civic Center the night his jersey was retired.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  Very sad day in Hartford.

 
Ran into him at the Hockey Hall of Fame once. Was just showing my girlfriend the sights in Toronto and she was a big hockey fan so hitting the HoF was a no brainer. 

We were just walking past one of the exhibits and there was a slight bit of "commotion" happening near one, maybe 6-8 people gathered around. Wandered over to see what was up and it was just people who had recognized him and were asking for his autograph. Not even an official event or anything. Just Mr Hockey walking around being a "tourist".

Of course I had to get his autograph for my girl. So I went up and asked him "Could I have your autograph?" He turned and looked at me and said "What's the magic word?"  :shock:  Schooled by a legend of hockey in how to have proper manners....

 
Will give my Gordie Howe story (if anyone cares)...I was fortunate enough to play college hockey way back in the 80's...the night before the finals my senior year we were practicing...Gordie and an old-timers team were practicing after us...after practice our Coach introduced a few of the seniors to him...he was real cool...larger than life...he grabbed my stick, looked at, signed it and than said "nice piece of lumber" and gave me a wink...will never forget how he said that...was like Clint Eastwood...everyone who had his stick signed by him played with those sticks the next day...always glad we did that rather than not using them..

He was Mr. Hockey...until Orr came around there was no doubt who the best NHL player ever was...the one thing I was always impressed by is how everyone (never heard this debated) always said that while he was a great guy off the ice he was the toughest SOB ever to put on the blades...it was just fact...now that I am getting older I find it surreal that he was playing at a high level late into his 40's...that is just not human...

Hockey lost one of it's truly great players and personalities...one of a kind...will never, ever be duplicated...

 
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Higgs said:
Major bummer.  Grew up in the Hartford area when the three Howes were all playing.  My Dad became friends with him years later (he was a raging alcoholic and his second home was "Gordie's Place" in Glastonbury.  I met Gordie a bunch of times as a kid (going to Gordie's with my Dad), as a teenager (I used to be locker room attendant at Glastonbury Hills Country Club where he played), and most recently as an adult, when I took my son to meet him as a kid at an autograph signing at Westfarms about 10 years ago.  It's funny but I was just telling my son about that story on Sunday (he's now 16).  The signing was in a small sports store in the Mall at a strange time - early Saturday afternoon - and the Mall was empty.  We got there right at the end of the signing and nobody else was in the store.  Gordie was blasted drunk.  He played with my son for about 10 minutes.  It was hysterical.  He was doing magic tricks, goofing on him like he was really going to beat him up.   My son didn't know what to make of the guy.

I saw a game once where he and his two sons were on the ice at the same time.  It was pretty cool.  Old Gordie flying around with his gray hair - the only guy on the ice without a helmet!  I was also at the Civic Center the night his jersey was retired.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  Very sad day in Hartford.
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I also grew up in that area (less than a mile from westfarms) and was in the civic center the night they retired his jersey.  In fact, after the ceremony Gordie sat right behind me and my dad and I was lucky enough to have him sign my Goal magazine, the one with him on the cover. It was my prized possession that I took with me to college and beyond until it was stolen about 10 years ago. Still can't believe I lost it.
 
I met Gordie so many times.  When i was about 7 or 8 I was in some charity bowling tournament that I believe was run by Gordie.  He would partner up with each kid for a few frames. So i got to bowl with the guy and high five him after my shot a few times. He would bowl and then when the next kid would come up for their shot he would (kind of) gently hip check them into the ball returner.  He had no ego and truly loved everyone who came up to him for an autograph or picture, especially kids. The guy was on the mount rushmore of sports and you'd think he was just somebody's funny uncle.
 
I remember him playing golf in the pro-am at the GHO when it was at wethersfield as well.  The guy just ripped it, had massive forearms. He was in one group and right behind him in the next group was Jim Rice. My two sports heroes just steps from each other. As a kid I was in heaven that day. I got Rice to sign my autograph book but he looked like he didn't want to be there. He signed but it was quick and quiet.  I caught up with Gordie a little later and the guy treated me like an old friend.  I told him we bowled together and he said, "I know.  I remember you.  You were a good bowler." I remember at the time feeling on top of the world that Gordie Howe knew who I was.  Of course, there's no way he remembered me but I didn't know that.  Another kid went up to him wearing a nametag and Gordie called the kid by his name. The kid was in awe not knowing how Gordie knew his name.  I laughed at the kid's nativity while being completely unaware of my own. He was really a great guy and for sure an icon and an all-time great.
 
Loving these stories. Also grew up in the Hartford area and remember Mark as quite the player, too. Mark is one of the reasons for breakaway nets. I was there the night he suffered a garish injury sliding into a net that didn't budge. Makes myself hurt just thinking about it. 

Anyway, I already RIP'ed but the stories have been pretty cool. Sounds like a sweetheart bear of a guy. 

 
Nipsey said:
I also grew up in that area (less than a mile from westfarms) and was in the civic center the night they retired his jersey.  In fact, after the ceremony Gordie sat right behind me and my dad and I was lucky enough to have him sign my Goal magazine, the one with him on the cover. It was my prized possession that I took with me to college and beyond until it was stolen about 10 years ago. Still can't believe I lost it.
 
I met Gordie so many times.  When i was about 7 or 8 I was in some charity bowling tournament that I believe was run by Gordie.  He would partner up with each kid for a few frames. So i got to bowl with the guy and high five him after my shot a few times. He would bowl and then when the next kid would come up for their shot he would (kind of) gently hip check them into the ball returner.  He had no ego and truly loved everyone who came up to him for an autograph or picture, especially kids. The guy was on the mount rushmore of sports and you'd think he was just somebody's funny uncle.
 
I remember him playing golf in the pro-am at the GHO when it was at wethersfield as well.  The guy just ripped it, had massive forearms. He was in one group and right behind him in the next group was Jim Rice. My two sports heroes just steps from each other. As a kid I was in heaven that day. I got Rice to sign my autograph book but he looked like he didn't want to be there. He signed but it was quick and quiet.  I caught up with Gordie a little later and the guy treated me like an old friend.  I told him we bowled together and he said, "I know.  I remember you.  You were a good bowler." I remember at the time feeling on top of the world that Gordie Howe knew who I was.  Of course, there's no way he remembered me but I didn't know that.  Another kid went up to him wearing a nametag and Gordie called the kid by his name. The kid was in awe not knowing how Gordie knew his name.  I laughed at the kid's nativity while being completely unaware of my own. He was really a great guy and for sure an icon and an all-time great.
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He did the same thing when I saw him at Westfarms for the autograph.  There was an awkward silence at one point and I told him I used to work in the locker room at Glastonbury Hills, and that my Dad  so-and-so used to hang out at Gordie's.  He says, "Oh yeah, I remember".  Maybe he did remember my Dad but there's no way he remembered me shining his shoes.  But that's how he was I guess.  Very gracious and humble.  One of the guys.  Someone's funny Uncle is the perfect description.  I'll never forget the look on my son's face when Gordie was messing with him saying how tough he was.  My son looked scared out of his mind.  Then Gordie, sensing this, did the magic trick where it looks like his thumb is coming off.  I'm not sure if that made my son more scared or lightened the mood, but he gave me this awkward look with a half smile and nudged his way closer to me and grabbed my hand.  Even Gordie busted out laughing.  It was a great moment. 

 
rockaction said:
Loving these stories. Also grew up in the Hartford area and remember Mark as quite the player, too. Mark is one of the reasons for breakaway nets. I was there the night he suffered a garish injury sliding into a net that didn't budge. Makes myself hurt just thinking about it. 

Anyway, I already RIP'ed but the stories have been pretty cool. Sounds like a sweetheart bear of a guy. 
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That was horrific.  Impaled in the back.  Fortunately I wasn't at that game but a lot of people I know were, and they talk about it to this day.  Other than that Sabres goalie suffering the slashed carotid artery I think it might be the most gruesome injury in hockey history.

 
I don't know how many of you know this, but they are building a new bridge from Detroit to Windsor, Ontario. The United States and Canada got together to decide what to name the bridge. They named it the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Think about that for a minute. The man was held in such high regard and so revered that two countries actually named a bridge after him. The fact that two countries bestowed an honor like that on Gordie Howe says all you need to know about the man.

There are very few people in life that can be called a legend, iconic, and larger than life. Those are almost understatements when you talk about Gordie Howe.

RIP Mr. Hockey. 

 
Man, celebs are dropping like flies! I never got to see Gordie play live, because I'm only 30, but I do remember his one shift for the IHL's Detroit Vipers when he was 69. He will be missed.

On a side note, I miss the Vipers, too. They were fun to watch.

 
I have a few fond memories of Mr. Hockey. 

They have a statue of him where I grew up and Gordie and his wife,Colleen, came to the unveiling about 20 years ago. My brother is an avid photographer, so he took pictures of Gordie throughout the day. He visited the school he attended as a child and played some shinny with the kids,etc.  At the unveiling of the statue, Colleen struck up a conversation with my brother and said she would bet he got some pretty good photos today. My Brother offered to print some copies and send them to Gordie. Colleen gave my brother their address and said Gordie would really appreciate seeing the pictures.

My Brother sent the photos and a while later received a package from Gordie. Inside was all kinds of memorabilia, along with some of the photos my Brother took that were now signed by Gordie. He also included a handwritten letter that thanked my brother for his kind gesture of sending the photos.

I met Gordie at a trade show about 10 years ago. He was signing autographs in a booth sponsored by one of the exhibitors. Our company had a female author signing autographs in our booth. At one point someone walked up behind me and asked if he could "please speak to the author". I turned around and it was Gordie. He stuck out his hand to the author and said "Gordon Howe, Ma'am it is a real pleasure to meet you". She assured him no introduction was required and they chatted for 20 minutes. 

 
Someone's funny Uncle is the perfect description. I'll never forget the look on my son's face when Gordie was messing with him saying how tough he was. My son looked scared out of his mind. Then Gordie, sensing this, did the magic trick where it looks like his thumb is coming off. I'm not sure if that made my son more scared or lightened the mood, but he gave me this awkward look with a half smile and nudged his way closer to me and grabbed my hand. Even Gordie busted out laughing. It was a great moment.
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Funny...Muhammad Ali was known for doing a similar magic trick. Here is Ali fooling some wrestlers back in '95.

 
I don't follow hockey at all really but nonetheless I knew who Howe was. I remember an interview he did not long after he returned to professional hockey again in his 60's. The interviewer asked him how he got so good playing hockey. Howe said growing up, all the kids played hockey around him would play these outside games from sunrise to sunset. He would play countless hours, everyday, with only a break for lunch. He loved that and said it was possibly his favorite memory of hockey. This from a guy who played FOREVER it seemed like. I was sort of taken by his clear love of the game that he took hold of him as a kid and just never left.

 
Never met the man.  However, I do know his grandson.  I know that he's greatly missed for the great person he was, as a father, grandfather and friend.  My condolences go out to all that knew him.

 
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