Nick Fotiu always credits Gordie with teaching him the game and improving his skills as a 27 year old player with the Whalers. Before Gordie, Fotiu scored 38 points in 310 games in the WHA/NHL. Then from age 27 to 33 after working with Gordie after practice each day, Fotiu scored 99 points in 371 NHL games.
"He's one of the few hockey players ever to have his number retired in two NHL buildings (4:26.)" and sadly his teammate, Pie MacKenzie, is likely the only hockey player to have his number unretired. Let's make Pie the last to be so disrespected. Dougie Hamilton wore Pie's 19 on a Whalers sweater playing for the Hurricanes in March 2019, less than a year after Pie's passing. As Jack Edwards said that night during the broadcast, "Hamilton was traded from Calgary to Carolina about two weeks after McKenzie died last June, and they gave him No. 19. And other players have worn it between the time that Hartford had moved to Carolina. But a lot of New Englanders who were hardcore John McKenzie fans, and a few New Englanders who were dear friends of the man, take great umbrage that even for a day or two, because this Carolina team will wear these sweaters in Boston later this season, would have a number that is retired, which used to be a sacred thing, worn by another player, and a much lesser one at that. It shows the disconnect between the Carolina marketing department and hockey history. I doubt we’ll ever see anyone wear No. 4 on the ice for the Boston Bruins again. [The Hurricanes] didn’t unretire Ron Francis’ number, they didn’t unretire Gordie Howe’s number, they didn’t unretire Glen Wesley’s number.” Shame on the Hurricanes. Shame on the NHL. Shame on us. Sorry to steal any of Mr. Hockey's thunder here, but it still makes me so mad this was done to Pie.
Canadian born......a real icon....Thank you Gordie....never be forgotten....MR.HOCKEY.
Nick Fotiu always credits Gordie with teaching him the game and improving his skills as a 27 year old player with the Whalers.
Before Gordie, Fotiu scored 38 points in 310 games in the WHA/NHL. Then from age 27 to 33 after working with Gordie after practice each day, Fotiu scored 99 points in 371 NHL games.
"He's one of the few hockey players ever to have his number retired in two NHL buildings (4:26.)" and sadly his teammate, Pie MacKenzie, is likely the only hockey player to have his number unretired. Let's make Pie the last to be so disrespected. Dougie Hamilton wore Pie's 19 on a Whalers sweater playing for the Hurricanes in March 2019, less than a year after Pie's passing. As Jack Edwards said that night during the broadcast, "Hamilton was traded from Calgary to Carolina about two weeks after McKenzie died last June, and they gave him No. 19. And other players have worn it between the time that Hartford had moved to Carolina. But a lot of New Englanders who were hardcore John McKenzie fans, and a few New Englanders who were dear friends of the man, take great umbrage that even for a day or two, because this Carolina team will wear these sweaters in Boston later this season, would have a number that is retired, which used to be a sacred thing, worn by another player, and a much lesser one at that. It shows the disconnect between the Carolina marketing department and hockey history. I doubt we’ll ever see anyone wear No. 4 on the ice for the Boston Bruins again. [The Hurricanes] didn’t unretire Ron Francis’ number, they didn’t unretire Gordie Howe’s number, they didn’t unretire Glen Wesley’s number.” Shame on the Hurricanes. Shame on the NHL. Shame on us. Sorry to steal any of Mr. Hockey's thunder here, but it still makes me so mad this was done to Pie.
I met Gordie at Lewis's Bistro & Delicatessen in San Francisco back in the day.
R.I.P Mr.Hockey
I had the chance to shake his hand....he looked at me with the biggest smile.....a real friend.
Gordieeeeeee Howe
Awesome Finally A Good Player
Still the all time goal scorer NHL/WHA!!
Playing at 60 years old the man loves the game he may be better than Wayne dereski