Reflecting on the legendary career of "Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe and his greatest moments on the ice, nine years after his passing.
Nine years ago today, on June 10th, 2016, the hockey world was shaken by the passing of Gordie Howe after his long battle with dementia. It was a somber day for Detroit sports fans, who reflected on the countless unforgettable moments “Mr. Hockey” gave to the Red Wings faithful. Known for his rare combination of skill, toughness, and endurance, Howe wasn’t just a superstar but the embodiment of hockey’s heart and soul for generations.
Over a career that spanned an extraordinary five decades, Gordie Howe emerged as a symbol of excellence, beginning with his 1946 debut for the Detroit Red Wings. From there, he embarked on a historic 25-season NHL journey that redefined the limits of longevity and greatness in professional sports. From racking up scoring titles in the 1950s to making history by suiting up alongside his sons in the WHA and later the NHL, Howe's career reads like a fairy tale and yet, it was all real.
With 801 goals (third-most all-time), 1,049 assists (12th-most), and a total of 1,850 career points alongside 23 All-Star Game appearances, 12 NHL First-Team selections, and four Stanley Cups, Howe firmly etched his place on hockey’s Mount Rushmore. To honor his legacy, we revisit some of the most iconic moments from his remarkable career.
On November 10, 1963, Howe surpassed Maurice "Rocket" Richard's record with his 545th career goal during a game against the Montreal Canadiens. The goal was a shorthanded effort, and the Detroit crowd honored him with a standing ovation that lasted 15–20 minutes.
Howe's all-around ability to score goals, dish the puck and make plays while also being one of the league's most intimidating players at the time led to the creation of the "Gordie Howe hat trick," a term still used in hockey today. This would be achieved if a player scored a goal, passed for an assist and recorded a fight all in the same game. He achieved this feat only twice in his career, but it became emblematic of his all-around play.
In a remarkable family milestone, Howe came out of retirement at age 45 to join his sons, Mark and Marty, on the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association. The sight of a father playing alongside his two sons was extraordinary not just for its rarity, but because Howe went on to lead the team in scoring with 100 points in his first season, followed by an impressive 201 points over the next two seasons.
On April 6, 1980, at 52 years old, Gordie Howe scored his final NHL goal, fittingly against the Detroit Red Wings, while playing for the Hartford Whalers alongside his sons. He remains the oldest player ever to score in an NHL game and retired that season with an impressive 41 points, proving he was still a force on the ice even in his final year.
