Learn about the Gordie Howe Hat Trick and more. Here are 10 must-know hockey tidbits about Mr. Hockey.
Gordie Howe was born on March 31, 1928, in Saskatchewan, Canada. He grew up playing hockey with his siblings and other kids on outdoor ponds in the harsh Canadian winters. Howe’s keen interest in hockey started at an early age of six when he received his first pair of ice skates from his father. His natural talents and passion for the sport soon became evident, and by age 14, Gordie was already playing organized hockey for a junior team called the Saskatoon Bruins. In 1946, he signed with Detroit Red Wings after being spotted by their scout Fred Pinkney while playing for his older brother Vic’s senior amateur hockey team in Floral – Saskatchewan. This marked the beginning of what would be a legendary career spanning several decades – a career that saw him become one of the most iconic figures in hockey history.
Top Ten Gordie Howe Hockey Tidbits
Gordie Howe played for the Detroit Red Wings for 25 seasons, one of the longest tenures for any player on a single team.
Howe won four Stanley Cup championships during his career, including three in a row from 1952 to 1954.
Howe retired from the NHL in 1980 at the age of 52, making him the oldest player ever to compete in a professional hockey game.
Howe’s peak years were from 1950-1966 when he scored at least 20 goals each season except for one. During that time period, he won six Hart Trophies (Most Valuable Player) and six Art Ross Trophies (Scoring Champion).
A Gordie Howe hat trick consists of a goal, an assist and a fight in one game. A great day for any player.
Gordie Howe played for two teams in his career, the Detroit Red Wings and the Hartford Whalers. His career spanned from 1946-1971, during which he played 1,767 games in total. He scored an astonishing 801 goals with 1049 assists to give him a total of 1850 points. His point total remains fourth best all-time and his goal total ranks second only to Wayne Gretzky.
He was named one of the Top 100 NHL Players of all-time in January 2017.
Howe is the only player in NHL history to have both a hat trick and a fight in the same game, a feat he accomplished in 1953 against the New York Rangers.
Gordie Howe was inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame in 1972.
Gordie Howe was more than just a great player on ice; he was an ambassador for hockey off it too. While playing for Houston Aeros of WHA (World Hockey Association), he played alongside his sons Mark and Marty. This made him the first professional athlete in any team sport to play with their kids on same team.
In conclusion, Gordie Howe is one of the greatest hockey players of all time and his impact on the sport cannot be overstated. From his toughness and physicality to his scoring prowess and longevity on the ice, Howe was a true legend in every sense of the word. His legacy will continue to inspire players and fans alike for generations to come. Howe’s legacy lives on through the numerous awards and honors named in his honor, including the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
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