The Canadian legend known as Mr. Hockey died today. Gordie Howe was 88.
Recognized for being the most complete player in the history of the game, Howe won four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Redwings, played 32 seasons of hockey after he reached the pros in 1945, and held more records than any athlete in history. He ushered in the phrase "Gordie Howe hat trick" for not only scoring and assisting on a goal but also getting into a fight all in the same game.
Contributing further to our national identity, Howe is credited with shaping the characteristics of a distinctly Canadian sports star: one who is humble and who thinks beyond himself.
He helped usher the Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»Giants into the WHL and remained a co-owner after the expansion season in 2001. Howe had strong ties to the city and many friends in Vancouver.
“It’s a sad day for all of us with the Giants,” said Giants owner Ron Toigo.
“We felt honoured and privileged to have Gordie in our lives. We were fortunate to have had him involved with so many of our players who were able to meet him. He had a impact on everyone in our organization.”
Toigo’s statement was released on the Giants website. He also commented on the 2014 death of former general manager Pat Quinn.
“It’s been a difficult period for us, losing both Pat and now Gordie in such a short period of time, and we’ll miss him a lot,” said Toigo.
Howe was diagnosed with dementia in 2012 and had suffered a number of strokes in 2014. His family attempted stem cell treatment, and Howe remained in the public eye for several more years.
In a radio interview with the CBC, Toigo told a story that highlighted Howe’s immense compassion and sportsmanship.
As the Giants were celebrating their Memorial Cup win in 2007, everyone in the dressing room was looking for Howe, remembered Toigo. Instead, Mr. Hockey was in opposition’s room, comforting the losers.
He wanted to help the young men through their grief and sense of defeat, said Toigo. “That was Gordie,” he told the CBC. “He was worried about those kids and the pain they were dealing with. Not many people think that way.”
Celebrated for his formidable endurance on and off the ice, Howe held the sport’s most impressive records at one time or another and it’s hard to imagine he will ever relinquish his hold on the NHL history books as having played the most regular season games.
He played 1,767 games in the NHL regular season and added 80 more in his final year with the World Hockey Association’s Hartford Whalers and the age of 51. Second on the list is Mark Messier with 1,756 games.
He established all-time marks for goals, assists, points, games played, and winning goals. He appeared in an incredible 29 All-Star games and was the top five in NHL scoring for 20 consecutive years, more than double the number of seasons many players even remain at that level.
Howe’s family released a statement that he died peacefully at the Ohio home of his son.
