......how about that ?. The state of Michigan was fortunate to have two passionate hockey people in Mr and Mrs Howe . It is no wonder the state has produced many exceptional American hockey players . The game is and hopefully will continue to be strong in the state of Michigan
1:36 Mark....The announcer doesn't even say his name....He just says #9.
Gordie was built like a rock back in the day.
G, I have been over the Windsor - Detroit tunnel many a time . Michigan was the home for elite American minor hockey from Belle Tire, Little Caesars , Honeybacked . And yeah , Mr Howe had a huge effect .
american superstar P Kane moved to play in the Detroit's AAA program from Buffalo (another solid hockey town...)
american superstar P Kane moved to play in the Detroit's AAA program from Buffalo (another solid hockey town
...)Mike Modano
✔@9modano
Gordie Howe you will be missed. Thoughts and prayers. The reason I wore #9. #9RIP..
Steven Kampfer
✔@SteveKampfer47
Hockey lost a great man today. RIP Mr. Howe. You were an icon to the game and an unbelievable ambassador!
Evander Kane
✔@evanderkane_9
Very sad to hear about Gordie Howe #MrHockey#thebest9 He was one of my owners of my junior team and was a big reason I wear the number 9.
Stephen Harper
✔@stephenharper
Laureen & I extend our condolences to family & friends of Gordie Howe. Mr.
Hockey will always be remembered as a legend of our beloved game
Pavel Datsyuk
✔@Datsyuk13
World lost one of the greatest human beings and the best all time hockey player. Thanks for many lessons and memories. RIP Gordie
Justin Abdelkader
✔@justinabss
Gordie Howe was an inspiration to me, both on & off the ice. Thank you, Gordie, for setting the benchmark. #MrHockey
✔@9modano
Gordie Howe you will be missed. Thoughts and prayers. The reason I wore #9. #9RIP..
Steven Kampfer
✔@SteveKampfer47
Hockey lost a great man today. RIP Mr. Howe. You were an icon to the game and an unbelievable ambassador!
Evander Kane
✔@evanderkane_9
Very sad to hear about Gordie Howe #MrHockey#thebest9 He was one of my owners of my junior team and was a big reason I wear the number 9.
Stephen Harper
✔@stephenharper
Laureen & I extend our condolences to family & friends of Gordie Howe. Mr.
Hockey will always be remembered as a legend of our beloved game
Pavel Datsyuk ✔@Datsyuk13
World lost one of the greatest human beings and the best all time hockey player. Thanks for many lessons and memories. RIP Gordie
Justin Abdelkader
✔@justinabss
Gordie Howe was an inspiration to me, both on & off the ice. Thank you, Gordie, for setting the benchmark. #MrHockey
DETROIT – It is with great sadness that the Detroit Red Wings mourn the loss of one of hockey’s all-time greats, Gordon (Gordie) Howe, who passed away today at the age of 88. The longest-tenured player in Red Wings’ history, Howe’s playing 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.”
“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.”
TAMPA BAY – Tampa Bay Lightning vice president & general manager, and former Detroit Red Wing, Steve Yzerman issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Hockey Hall-of-Famer Gordie Howe.
"It was very saddening to hear the news of Gordie's passing this morning. He has been an icon not only in Detroit, but throughout the entire hockey world for as long as I can remember. As one of the greatest players to ever play in the NHL, the majority of his career being in Detroit, it was an honor to wear the same uniform, spend time with, laugh, joke and seek advice from him. Gordie's humility and kindness left a permanent impression on me, greatly influencing how I tried to conduct myself throughout my career.
“His impact on the Red Wings organization is still evident today. I travel the world and constantly hear stories from people who love the Wings and share memories of the glory days when Gordie and his teammates ruled the NHL. For all players fortunate enough to play for the Wings, we should take time to thank and honor Gordie, for he is a significant reason why Detroit is such a special place to play.
“To Gordie's surviving family, I offer my sincere condolences, in particular to his son Mark, my former teammate and colleague, who cannot help but remind me of his father every time I see him."
"It was very saddening to hear the news of Gordie's passing this morning. He has been an icon not only in Detroit, but throughout the entire hockey world for as long as I can remember. As one of the greatest players to ever play in the NHL, the majority of his career being in Detroit, it was an honor to wear the same uniform, spend time with, laugh, joke and seek advice from him. Gordie's humility and kindness left a permanent impression on me, greatly influencing how I tried to conduct myself throughout my career.
“His impact on the Red Wings organization is still evident today. I travel the world and constantly hear stories from people who love the Wings and share memories of the glory days when Gordie and his teammates ruled the NHL. For all players fortunate enough to play for the Wings, we should take time to thank and honor Gordie, for he is a significant reason why Detroit is such a special place to play.
“To Gordie's surviving family, I offer my sincere condolences, in particular to his son Mark, my former teammate and colleague, who cannot help but remind me of his father every time I see him."
Gary Bettman
"A remarkable athlete whose mastery of our sport was reflected by the longevity of his career and by his nickname, 'Mr. Hockey,' Gordie's commitment to winning was matched only by his commitment to his teammates, to his friends, to the Red Wings, to the city of Detroit and -- above all -- to his family. His devotion to Colleen through her illness and the fact that he extended his playing days into a fifth decade so he could play with his sons are only two examples of that true priority in his life.
"Gordie's greatness travels far beyond mere statistics; it echoes in the words of veneration spoken by countless players who joined him in the Hockey Hall of Fame and considered him their hero.
"Gordie's toughness as a competitor on the ice was equaled only by his humor and humility away from it. No sport could have hoped for a greater, more-beloved ambassador.
"On behalf of the generations who were thrilled by his play and those who only know of his legend, and on behalf of all the young people and teammates he inspired, we send heartfelt wishes of condolence, comfort and strength to the Howe family and to all who mourn the passing of this treasured icon of our game."
"A remarkable athlete whose mastery of our sport was reflected by the longevity of his career and by his nickname, 'Mr. Hockey,' Gordie's commitment to winning was matched only by his commitment to his teammates, to his friends, to the Red Wings, to the city of Detroit and -- above all -- to his family. His devotion to Colleen through her illness and the fact that he extended his playing days into a fifth decade so he could play with his sons are only two examples of that true priority in his life.
"Gordie's greatness travels far beyond mere statistics; it echoes in the words of veneration spoken by countless players who joined him in the Hockey Hall of Fame and considered him their hero.
"Gordie's toughness as a competitor on the ice was equaled only by his humor and humility away from it. No sport could have hoped for a greater, more-beloved ambassador.
"On behalf of the generations who were thrilled by his play and those who only know of his legend, and on behalf of all the young people and teammates he inspired, we send heartfelt wishes of condolence, comfort and strength to the Howe family and to all who mourn the passing of this treasured icon of our game."
[h=1]Leafs president Brendan Shanahan fondly recalls Gordie Howe[/h]
“I was always struck by how humble he was,” said Shanahan. “Gordie fit into a locker room. He didn’t ask the locker room to make space for him.”
“When you look at the Wayne Gretzkys and Sidney Crosbys and you see how it’s important to them how they treat kids and it’s important to them how they are seen and viewed as polite gentlemen, you can really thank Gordie in a lot of ways,” said Shanahan.
“When games started being televised and hockey players started being interviewed, Gordie is one of the first images that provided a lasting legacy and an example. Players would think: ‘If this is how Mr. Hockey acts, then I guess this is how I should act.’ ”
“First time I met Gordie, he shook my hand and elbowed me in the head. ‘Always keep your head on a swivel,’ he said,” tweeted the younger Babcock.
“This guy maximized his time on Earth to say the least, and touched a ton of people,” Mike Babock told NHL.com. “He just made people feel comfortable. He was great with the fans and appreciated them.”
