Gordon Howe turns 87 years old today. Gordie Howe is an icon. A living legend. But let put all of that into context. Mr. Hockey became an icon and living legend long before the age of social media, instantly updated stats, and the NHL network.
Gordon Howe became famous when he was 15 and getting his first taste of professional hockey in training camp with the New York Rangers. Yes, 15!
At 17 years old he began playing in the old USHL Minor Pro league. At 17 years old he scored 48 points in 51 games! A 17 year old kid playing against men who were seasoned veterans.
At 18 years old he made his debut with the Detroit Red Wings and as we know, the rest is history. The history though is amazing. 4 Stanley cups, 6 Hart Trophy’s, 6 Art Ross Trophy’s, and named an NHL All Star 23 times. If you are not awe struck by those numbers you are not a true hockey fan.
When I think of him though I certainly do not think of him as being 87 years old. I think of him in two specific ways. The first as a player I got to watch in the 1979-1980 NHL season, and the man I was able to meet several times and spend some time with about 19 years ago after my son was born.
In 1979, I was a just some kid playing hockey who watched a lot of the Buffalo Sabres. It was also 1979 when I got to see a then 51 year old Howe. I was amazed. I can remember talking to my friends about how cool it was that someone could play at that age and still be so good.
As I grew up I began to research and truly appreciate who he was and just what an impact he had on the game.
It was around this time of the year in 1995 I had an opportunity to meet Gordon Howe for the first time. It was at a book signing, and my son was just a few months old.
We arrived late, and everyone was starting to filter out the door. But we bought our book, went to the table, the last in line and waited. I thought I would get a minute to just express my gratitude for what he had done for the game and get the book signed before we left.
Instead, what we got was Mr. Hockey taking interest in my newborn son, taking him out of his car seat and sitting him on his lap while we talked for a good forty minutes. His wife Colleen sitting by his side just grinning and saying how much he loved children.
It was during that time I learned what so many have written about before. Gordon Howe transcended the game of hockey, he made everyone feel like a part of his family and paid attention to everyone. It was amazing. As a guy in his mid 20’s I was completely blown away by the class, and genuine personality of a man who I only knew was someone I tried to emulate when playing the game.
It was probably seven or eight years later I ran into him again. He didn’t remember my name, but within a minute he asked how old my son was. Again I was blown away.
Since then I have seen him a few more times, and he is still the embodiment of what every athlete and person should someday aspire to be.
I still have the book, and the video of him playing with my son. More than any highlight on the ice, as impactful as they may have been on me as a young player, that video and the time Mr. Hockey took to make the game personal to me and my son, it the best highlight I will ever get to replay.
Happy Birthday Mr. Howe,
Joseph Kolodziej – Publisher
