Gordie Howe

Born Gordon Howe in Floral, Saskatchewan, he made his professional debut in 1946 at the age of 18, playing the right wing position for the Detroit Red Wings. He quickly established himself as a great goal scorer and a gifted playmaker. Using his great physical strength, he was able too dominate the opposition in a career that spanned five decades. In a feat unsurpassed by any athlete, in any sport, Gordie Howe finished in the top 5 in scoring for 20 straight seasons.

Howe led Detroit to four Stanley Cups during his tenure as a Red Wing. After 25 years, a wrist problem forced him to retire but a year later he was offered a contract to play with the Houston Aeros of the newly formed World Hockey Association. An operation to improve his wrist made a return to ice hockey possible and he led his new team to consecutive championships. In 1974, at the age of 46, Gordie Howe was selected as the WHA's most valuable player.

When the WHA merged with the NHL in 1979, the 51-year-old Howe signed with the Hartford Whalers for one final season, competing in all 80 games of the schedule. Another milestone in a remarkable career was reached in 1997 when Gordie Howe played professional hockey in a sixth decade. He was signed to a one-game contract by the Detroit Vipers of the International Hockey League and, almost 70 years old, made a stirring return to the ice for one shift.

His most productive seasons came during an era when scoring was difficult and checking was tight, yet Gordie Howe ranks second in NHL history with 2,110 total points made up of 869 goals and 1,141 assists. Career wise, when his goals and assists from both the NHL and the WHA are combined, he ranks first in goals with 975.

His achievements:

• Elected to the All-Star Team for 21 seasons;
• Art Ross Trophy: 6 time winner as the league’s top scorer;
• Hart Memorial Trophy: 6 time winner as the league’s most valuable player;
• Lester Patrick Trophy: the winner in 1967
• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.