I sorta met Gordie in 1979 in Traverse City Michigan. Me and a buddy were on a post-high school trip screwing off and having fun. We were playing mini golf and a bunch of cars came rumbling into the lot. A few minutes later i saw my idol himself, waiting on Mark and Marty and another to tee off. He was just grinning when we made eye contact and, not wanting to interrupt his family time I just nodded and kinda saluted him. He nodded back and that was enough for me! Forever the GOAT.
Phil Esposito said it best : There were many greats....scoring ,passing ,defense ,skating , fighting & many aspects of the game but when it came to DOING IT ALL , None were better than Gordie! He even stated that he bet that Gordie could probably play in GOAL if need be ! The ULTIMATE Team-Player ! Thanks Phil & Thank-You Canada for letting us have him in Detroit for most of his fantastic career ! In a fitting tribute the Gordie Howe International Bridge is nearing completion connecting CANADA & AMERICA !!! I could not think of a more fitting Ambassador for the two Nations! GOD Bless #9 & the entire Howe Family
Living on the Canadian side of the Detroit River means we get to watch the great Gordie Howe International Bridge being built. Although still a year from completion, it will be a majestic span between two great countries. I can’t think of a better name for this magnificent structure. I only wish Gordie was here to see it. However, the Howe family recently received a tour of the site.
@@TheHockeyGoon Roger Miller did an impromptu ditty about Saskatchewan. With his guitar accompanying he sang "Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, show me an itch and I'll scratcha one"
In 1952 at the age of 7 I was on the ice at Olympia with all the Wings legends. Gordie & others helped us to hold the stick right, receive a pass & shot the puck. RIP MR. HOCKEY, will see you again in hockey heaven.
@@kentr2424 That’s cuz most sane players were afraid of the aftermath. His own son maintained he was the meanest player he’d ever seen. That a Gordie Howe Hattrick should’ve been a goal, an assist & a stick to the face.
I met Gordie back in 1964 at Olympia. The Wings had lost to the Blackhawks 4-2, Gordie getting a goal and fight with Pierre Pilot. One of the most soft spoken, humblest, kindest people on planet earth, but an absolute take no prisoners competitor on the ice. I've tried all my life to follow Gordie's example, knowing there is a time and place for violence and competition but to leave it behind when the game is done. So glad his name will live forever in that bridge. He made the world a better place.
Grew up in Detroit in the 1950s as a Red Wings fan when the NHL was only 6 teams. Gordie Howe was everyone's hero. And DO NOT FORGET he was an "ambidextrous" goal scorer. Could shoot both right and left.
A buddy of mine grew up in Howe’s neighborhood in Detroit. He taught the local kids that when you get a cheap shot, shake it off, then hit them harder when they don’t expect it.
@@christophergreer9278 Love that! That’s a very cool memory & comment from the Legend. It’s difficult not to retaliate right away. Thank you for watching!
Very good Christopher. I played for 33 years, and if someone hit me with a cheap shot I would simply line up with them at the next faceoff and say "You know, sometime during this game or maybe our next one, you're going to end up hitting the ice and the boards at the same time - and when you do, I'll be a half-inch behind you!!" Some guys spent a LOT of time looking over their shoulders wondering where the hell I was!!😈😈😈And once they did that, I had their goat, and their hockey minds turned to mush!
Best all around player he could hit,skate and score. Made him a great playoff performer. Hard work and a great attitude made him great. Gotta like that. If you have a team who played like Howe you would have a dynasty in the playoffs. Bobby Orr high sticked Howe when Gordie knocked him on his ass when his teammates come to his defence Orr said I highsticked him and I deserve what Gordie did to me. That’s the kind of respect Howe got because he was a quality player
It was in Bobby's first NHL game. He came around his own net and made a nice pass. He was admiring his pass when BOOM! Gordie laid him out on his ass! As he did so he said "Welcome to the NHL, kid!" Bobby learned to keep his head up afterwards, courtesy of a little lesson Mr. Hockey taught him.
Born in 1955 in Saskatoon I certainly agree with the praise of this man (he was so poorly paid, wasn't he?) Its great that arenas and campgrounds etc are named after him. I had a strange connection to Gordie. I learned to skate on a backyard rink, very common in those days, but when I joined a hockey team there was no "real" rink available to us little guys. So we got driven to a frozen slough. For some reason i felt there was something special about skating on that ice, and later i was told Gordie Howe used to skate on that same slough when he was little. Whenever I drive into Saskatoon I marvel at the fact several of the ponds and sloughs we skated on in the early 1960's are still there, in the city limits and in industrial land. God Bless Saskatoon for preserving those features! I wish somebody woukd put up some signs explaining how little kids used to use those frozen water bodies to play hockey on.
As I heard it, Wayne and Gordie both said Bobby was the GOAT…. We know Wayne isn’t, top 10, but not the greatest because he never fought, whereas Bobby and Gordie dropped the gloves often. The reasons that Wayne and Gordie say Bobby is the GOAT is because they never led the league in scoring as a DEFENSEMAN, TWICE! Neither ever recorded a PLUS 124 in a season. Lastly, Bobby played less than 10 full seasons on 2 totally messed up knees and as Larry Robinson said “ in the ‘76 Canada Cup we were defense partners and he was still the fastest skater out there” and that was after 7 knee operations. The answer is clear and only an ignoramus would disagree….. Robert Gordon Orr is the GOAT…..
Nope. Gretzky is and his stats prove it. Gretzky, Orr, and Lemieux are just too humble. Gordie however is Mr.Hockey. He was hockey’s ambassador and a great role model. He was tough as a $5 steak and the best player of his era. He was even a better man. I remember him saying he was the luckiest man in Canada. He got to play hockey and he made twice as much as a plumber.
@@zerubbablestranger6970 That is one of the most bigoted, arrogant, unenlightened comments I ever had the misfortune of reading! Because you say so, anyone not agreeing with you, is an ignoramus...is that correct? I've met & read a lot of ignorant Americans, but you, clearly, take the cake. Bobby Orr was a tremendous play, in that era...that point cannot be argued, but someone is an ignoramus if they don't agree, hit's me hard. If there is an ignoramus here, you are he!
Born in 57 i remember Gordie Howe well as one of the greatest even at that time, he was always one of the favorite names us kids wanted to be playing street hockey. Look at the slim almost fluke chances that lead to his start in total impoverished obscurity ...growing up in poverty, one of 9 kids and his mother spent the last of her milk money buying a bag of odds and ends from a needy neighbor so out of that bag tumbled a pair of used skates. From that to having to bunk at Olympia Stadium due to lack of resources and killing rats in the building with his hockey stick haha! ...that sort of thing builds character and hones stick handling, can you imagine our squeamish spoiled kids today killing rats for rent money? Being ridiculed by other kids for his lack of education nicknaming him doughhead etc which in today's world would have lead to psychology and depression treatments and coddled with kid gloves but no kid gloves for Gordie Howe just real gloves Then a near career ending head injury and of course the heaps of stats and awards over a long successful career so he's got my vote for GOAT.
Thanks to the WHA I got to see Mr. Howe and his sons often. Was lucky enough to meet him a few times in Edmonton when he was a spokesman for Horn and Pit. A very nice soft spoken man. Glad my birthday is the 9th. My stock car was #9.
I saw him play for the whalers and come to think of it the wings when there were only six teams. i started going to boston bruin games in the early 60's.
@@steveperry1344 wow that’s pretty cool. He was a good one. I do remember the 6 team league well I started cheering for the Canadiens because I was sick of seeing Toronto every Saturday night on CBC. I even started watching (when I could) CBC French channel on Saturday nights. Couldn’t understand French but it was good hockey back then and it wasn’t Toronto. 😀
I had the occasion to meet Mr. Howe and shake his hand. As you would expect he was gracious and polite. There was no opportunity for an autograph or conversation, but it’s a happy memory nonetheless. A consummate gentleman, RIP Mr. Howe.
My grandmother's dad was a Red Wing fan. My grandmother said she grew up watching Gordie. When I was a kid she always had the Red Wings on tv. I started watching hockey in the early 90's. My grandmother was a little old lady that went to church all the time. The only time she'd swear was if she was watching the Red Wings.
I watched Gordie Howe play for the Red Wings. A great player. Who gave as much as he took, while playing hockey. No grand standing by Howe. He fought when he had to. But he never went looking for fights. If an opposing player was stupid enough to try and challenge him. that was a big mistake.
Gordie Howe is my hero! Never has there been a finer human being play the greatest game for so long. All the while his dedication to his family, teams and communities proved his fine character. Though I was born and raised in Detroit 1957, and attended games at Olympia Stadium, I never saw Gordie play live. The one thing that always bothered me was the Red Wings management not granting his request to play on a line with his sons. He asked only this small favor from his team, after all he gave. The mistake made from a business sense is that the move would have increased ticket sales and attracted a lot of attention. He was an inspiration in my 30 seasons of hockey and I will always hold a special place in my heart for him. Rest in peace dear Gordie.
Think how good the players of that era were at stick handling an shoot a puck with a straight blade stick the Hull Brothers revolutionize pro hockey with the curved stick ,it forced goalies to start wearing face masks, just look of pictures of Terry Sawchuks face an count the stitches and scar tissue!
Detroit born and bred here...had the pleasure of watching this man in action...absolutely the best NHL player of all time! He could fight, score, skate and pass! His legacy was important and he would be pleased to know that a bridge is being built between Canada and Detroit that's named after him!
At my moms 90th birthday party she brought out an old photo album when she was a teenager in Saskatoon, the pictures were of her and Gordie and their friends Mike and Mary Romanoe. She had talked about Gordie a few times over the years but to see her pictures were so cool .
@@TheHockeyGoon I’ve never been a fan of the Redwings been a Die Hard Blackhawks fan since the 70-71 season but I know great players when I see or hear about them. I have the utmost respect for Gordie.
Nobody in their right mind tried any crap or dirty play against Mr. Hockey! And nobody, even in the NHL liked going into a corner against him - his elbows were legendary! In this video there was a photo of him with the gloves off against Lou Fontinato - that was a legendary NHL scrap that Leapin' Lou came out of with a broken nose and a dislocated jaw! Was Howe the toughest?? If he's in second place, I can't imagine who the hell is in first!! And I'm 74 in a couple of weeks so I know - I saw plenty of his play!
Got the privilege to play scrimmage games with him while attending his Geordie Howe hockey school in St Clair Shores, Michigan. Was very down to earth, you would never know he was one of the greatest hockey players ever.
Absolutely! He always had time for fans and giving autographs. If you were lucky enough to run into him and get an autograph you better had thanked him or he would mark your hand with the pen or marker. I know from experience 😂 he really was a gentleman and just pure class.
I grew up in the 60's in Detroit. To even hint then that Gordie wasn't the best ever was to court a broken nose. In my opinion he was far and away the greatest ever. Good vid
My all-time favourite hockey player from my childhood. I even bought a hockey stick with Gordie Howe's name on it from the Eaton Catalogue. Paid the big sum of $1.75 for it and I still have it.
Absolutely the greatest ever in my opinion. For me growing up in Detroit he was the single bigger than life athlete. Saw him take batting practice with the tigers, as he proceded to stroke three balls off the facing of the third deck. He would have been great in any sport.
Gordie will live on forever ! We will be driving on the Largest international suspension Bridge in North America that will be Named the Gordie Howe Bridge Betweem Detroit and Windsor! "Yes Gordie you deserve the glory"!
Atrue legend in the game.Was lu KY to see him play live and meet him,way after retirement and was gracious and respectful to the fan I was.Autographs were free back than.....
I was cutting through a hotel lobby in Calgary, and Gordie was sitting in a chair in the lounge. He had to be in his 70s or more at the time. One look at him, with his stature and the size of his hands made you realize that he was not a man who you wanted to meet in the corner.
Andy Bathgate wrote a book in which he told an amazing story about what Howe did to Red Sullivan when Red boarded him. Suffice it to say, Red was very sorry.
Was there ever any doubt? That Gordie Howe would be termed the toughest man ever to lace up skates and play in the National Hockey League? It is ironic that the "Gordie Howe hat-trick" - which consists of a goal, an assist and a fight - only happened a few times to Howe in his career. After destroying Lou Fontinato in a fight with the Ranger's tough guy in 1959, no one wanted to wind up on Gordie's bad side. That didn't even get into his legendary sharp elbows. If you bush-leagued him or disrespected him, burned him .... Howe would take your name and number and then bide his time until your head was down and you weren't looking, and then he'd drop the hammer. Howe was one of the kindest, most soft-spoken gentlemen around off the ice, but he was as tough as nails while on it, and didn't take nonsense from anyone. And it wasn't just his mean streak; he was built like superman and was widely known as one of the strongest men in the game. Howe's legendary durability was also part of his toughness. He played a young man's game well into middle age, making his final All-Star Game as a fifty year old alongside Wayne Gretzky who was a rookie at the time. Everyone says that Gretzky broke his scoring records, but if Gordie's NHL and WHA records are pooled, he was - and still remains - the all-time scoring leader. There will never be another one like "Mr. Hockey"....
Back in the days when Bobby Hull was the hottest ticket in town, I surmise. I can recall Howe from the mid-60s, but by then his best days were long since passed. Chicago and Detroit were sister cities in many ways, only realized when I was older how important and wealthy Detroit was in the height of car manufacturing. When I went to school in Ann Arbor, I had to admit the radio stations in that area were so much better.
@@PageMarker1 My dad started taking me to Hawks games at the old stadium in 1961, I was eight then. The old Barn as it was affectionately called was an awesome arena. Saw many great games and players over the years.
@@oatis053 Blackhawks won the Cup in '61, I was 4 at the time. That '71 loss to the Canadiens really stung. At least we had a decent run last decade, don't expect to live long enough to see that again, 1 let alone 3. Ah, the roar of the crowd in the old barn as Bobby Hull skates down the ice to set up for a slap shot! Holiday Greetings!
@@PageMarker1 I was an Andy Frain usher for the 71 season was at every game including the playoffs. Me and and old friend when we were around 16 used to take the central bus from Belmont to Madison to the stadium and pay five dollars for a standing room ticket. We were the only white guys on the bus!
I saw Gordie at an old timers game and he slid head first into the boards, and got right up like nothing happened, I would have been calling for my mom or an ambulance.
Mr. Howe was not only tough he was one mean SOB. He had a Nobel prize for his elbows and a PhD for his stick work. Nobody liked playing against Mr. Howe. Still think 5 Orrs could beat 5 Howes.
Grandpa told me a story when he watched Gordie get in a fight then after he dropped the guy, he grabbed the guys skates and pulled him around the rink😂
Not sure if he was the greatest player to ever live but his rep as a tough guy was enhanced or gotten in part from a fight with Lou Fontinato While Gordie was a tough guy he had seen Lou coming from a reflection in the glass and used that to get in the first punch. That helped him cement his place as a tough guy.
Gordie once asked me what my best foursome ever was. Knowing I couldn't compete I deferred and asked him. 'Ted Williams, Willie Mays and Joe DiMaggio', he said with a huge smile. I asked who won. He would not answer. I must have asked him at least 7 times over the course of that morning - he never answered. He seemed to have a slight smile but bowed his head several times and wouldn't look me in the eye. I just know, absolutely, he beat them all.
6 ft 205. No need to exaggerate. Look for photo of him shirtless on fishing boat in FL from early biography “Gordie Howe No. 9” to see the power in his upper body and Popeye forearms. According to the book he built up his body digging the foundation for his parent’s house by hand one summer. It’s said he would break his stick on occasion between his hands with the power of his wrist shot. My idol since I was a boy back in Detroit. Fond memories.
When Gordie was asked why he wore a cup and not a helmet he responded..."well, you can always get someone to do your thinking for you". Gordie was also a professional golfer (won a lot of tournaments on his way back home after hockey season) and professional baseball player - it filled his summers and kept him in shape. #21 Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century; "...at least I beat the horse (Secretariat)".
Gordie is still loved till this day in Houston Texas for what he did for Hockey here he is the best ever to play the game and it's not even close even 99 will tell you that and number 8. Houston should have have a Hockey team in the NHL.
Good video, just not enough emphasis on the fact he retired as the GREATEST goal scorer of all time, and the fact that he was also a "Scrapper". Until today the term "A Howe hat trick" is know to be: A Goal, an Assist and a fight, in the same game.
As a hockey fan since 1961 from Chicago Bobby Hull was my idol great player. I didn't like G H because he was the GOAT an still is. Respect is an absolute for him.
The commentary is way over the top on this video. Instead of making up for the poor content, you actually emphasize how bad it is. This video is an insult to the man known rightly as Mr. Hockey
Maybe Rocket Richard was better but there are a lot of facets to the greatest of all time so who knows … I know the Rocket didn't like playing against Gordie too much because he'd always get an elbow in the face going into the corners .
I sorta met Gordie in 1979 in Traverse City Michigan. Me and a buddy were on a post-high school trip screwing off and having fun.
We were playing mini golf and a bunch of cars came rumbling into the lot.
A few minutes later i saw my idol himself, waiting on Mark and Marty and another to tee off.
He was just grinning when we made eye contact and, not wanting to interrupt his family time I just nodded and kinda saluted him. He nodded back and that was enough for me!
Forever the GOAT.
Great story, epitomizes Gordie the person.
Phil Esposito said it best : There were many greats....scoring ,passing ,defense ,skating , fighting & many aspects of the game but when it came to DOING IT ALL , None were better than Gordie! He even stated that he bet that Gordie could probably play in GOAL if need be ! The ULTIMATE Team-Player ! Thanks Phil & Thank-You Canada for letting us have him in Detroit for most of his fantastic career ! In a fitting tribute the Gordie Howe International Bridge is nearing completion connecting CANADA & AMERICA !!! I could not think of a more fitting Ambassador for the two Nations! GOD Bless #9 & the entire Howe Family
@@HowardMcCahill-k7n Thank you for watching and the very cool comment! I agree!
Living on the Canadian side of the Detroit River means we get to watch the great Gordie Howe International Bridge being built. Although still a year from completion, it will be a majestic span between two great countries. I can’t think of a better name for this magnificent structure. I only wish Gordie was here to see it. However, the Howe family recently received a tour of the site.
Wonderful Athlete. Terrific Competitor. 12:48
@@TheHockeyGoon Roger Miller did an impromptu ditty about Saskatchewan. With his guitar accompanying he sang "Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, show me an itch and I'll scratcha one"
In 1952 at the age of 7 I was on the ice at Olympia with all the Wings legends. Gordie & others helped us to hold the stick right, receive a pass & shot the puck. RIP MR. HOCKEY, will see you again in hockey heaven.
The Gordie Howe hat trick?
A goal, a assist, and a fight.
And he only ever did that twice in his career.....
@@kentr2424
That’s cuz most sane players were afraid of the aftermath.
His own son maintained he was the meanest player he’d ever seen. That a Gordie Howe Hattrick should’ve been a goal, an assist & a stick to the face.
I met Gordie back in 1964 at Olympia. The Wings had lost to the Blackhawks 4-2, Gordie getting a goal and fight with Pierre Pilot. One of the most soft spoken, humblest, kindest people on planet earth, but an absolute take no prisoners competitor on the ice. I've tried all my life to follow Gordie's example, knowing there is a time and place for violence and competition but to leave it behind when the game is done. So glad his name will live forever in that bridge. He made the world a better place.
@@NunyaBizness-z8f Thank you for watching! His Legacy will live on forever!
Grew up in Detroit in the 1950s as a Red Wings fan when the NHL was only 6 teams. Gordie Howe was everyone's hero. And DO NOT FORGET he was an "ambidextrous" goal scorer. Could shoot both right and left.
A buddy of mine grew up in Howe’s neighborhood in Detroit. He taught the local kids that when you get a cheap shot, shake it off, then hit them harder when they don’t expect it.
@@christophergreer9278 Love that! That’s a very cool memory & comment from the Legend. It’s difficult not to retaliate right away. Thank you for watching!
Very good Christopher. I played for 33 years, and if someone hit me with a cheap shot I would simply line up with them at the next faceoff and say "You know, sometime during this game or maybe our next one, you're going to end up hitting the ice and the boards at the same time - and when you do, I'll be a half-inch behind you!!" Some guys spent a LOT of time looking over their shoulders wondering where the hell I was!!😈😈😈And once they did that, I had their goat, and their hockey minds turned to mush!
Best all around player he could hit,skate and score. Made him a great playoff performer. Hard work and a great attitude made him great. Gotta like that. If you have a team who played like Howe you would have a dynasty in the playoffs. Bobby Orr high sticked Howe when Gordie knocked him on his ass when his teammates come to his defence Orr said I highsticked him and I deserve what Gordie did to me. That’s the kind of respect Howe got because he was a quality player
It was in Bobby's first NHL game. He came around his own net and made a nice pass. He was admiring his pass when BOOM! Gordie laid him out on his ass! As he did so he said "Welcome to the NHL, kid!" Bobby learned to keep his head up afterwards, courtesy of a little lesson Mr. Hockey taught him.
Born in 1955 in Saskatoon I certainly agree with the praise of this man (he was so poorly paid, wasn't he?) Its great that arenas and campgrounds etc are named after him. I had a strange connection to Gordie. I learned to skate on a backyard rink, very common in those days, but when I joined a hockey team there was no "real" rink available to us little guys. So we got driven to a frozen slough. For some reason i felt there was something special about skating on that ice, and later i was told Gordie Howe used to skate on that same slough when he was little. Whenever I drive into Saskatoon I marvel at the fact several of the ponds and sloughs we skated on in the early 1960's are still there, in the city limits and in industrial land. God Bless Saskatoon for preserving those features! I wish somebody woukd put up some signs explaining how little kids used to use those frozen water bodies to play hockey on.
Gordie Howe is the GOAT of hockey. Both Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky agree, and that's good enough for me.
As I heard it, Wayne and Gordie both said Bobby was the GOAT….
We know Wayne isn’t, top 10, but not the greatest because he never fought, whereas Bobby and Gordie dropped the gloves often.
The reasons that Wayne and Gordie say Bobby is the GOAT is because they never led the league in scoring as a DEFENSEMAN, TWICE!
Neither ever recorded a PLUS 124 in a season.
Lastly, Bobby played less than 10 full seasons on 2 totally messed up knees and as Larry Robinson said “ in the ‘76 Canada Cup we were defense partners and he was still the fastest skater out there” and that was after 7 knee operations.
The answer is clear and only an ignoramus would disagree…..
Robert Gordon Orr is the GOAT…..
Nope. Gretzky is and his stats prove it. Gretzky, Orr, and Lemieux are just too humble. Gordie however is Mr.Hockey. He was hockey’s ambassador and a great role model. He was tough as a $5 steak and the best player of his era. He was even a better man. I remember him saying he was the luckiest man in Canada. He got to play hockey and he made twice as much as a plumber.
@@zerubbablestranger6970
That is one of the most bigoted, arrogant, unenlightened comments I ever had the misfortune of reading!
Because you say so, anyone not agreeing with you, is an ignoramus...is that correct?
I've met & read a lot of ignorant Americans, but you, clearly, take the cake.
Bobby Orr was a tremendous play, in that era...that point cannot be argued, but someone is an ignoramus if they don't agree, hit's me hard.
If there is an ignoramus here, you are he!
Howe played into his 50’s and was still a top liner… GOAT!!
M Lemieux said so too ...
Born in 57 i remember Gordie Howe well as one of the greatest even at that time, he was always one of the favorite names us kids wanted to be playing street hockey. Look at the slim almost fluke chances that lead to his start in total impoverished obscurity ...growing up in poverty, one of 9 kids and his mother spent the last of her milk money buying a bag of odds and ends from a needy neighbor so out of that bag tumbled a pair of used skates. From that to having to bunk at Olympia Stadium due to lack of resources and killing rats in the building with his hockey stick haha! ...that sort of thing builds character and hones stick handling, can you imagine our squeamish spoiled kids today killing rats for rent money? Being ridiculed by other kids for his lack of education nicknaming him doughhead etc which in today's world would have lead to psychology and depression treatments and coddled with kid gloves but no kid gloves for Gordie Howe just real gloves Then a near career ending head injury and of course the heaps of stats and awards over a long successful career so he's got my vote for GOAT.
Thanks to the WHA I got to see Mr. Howe and his sons often. Was lucky enough to meet him a few times in Edmonton when he was a spokesman for Horn and Pit. A very nice soft spoken man. Glad my birthday is the 9th. My stock car was #9.
I saw him play for the whalers and come to think of it the wings when there were only six teams. i started going to boston bruin games in the early 60's.
@@steveperry1344 wow that’s pretty cool. He was a good one. I do remember the 6 team league well I started cheering for the Canadiens because I was sick of seeing Toronto every Saturday night on CBC. I even started watching (when I could) CBC French channel on Saturday nights. Couldn’t understand French but it was good hockey back then and it wasn’t Toronto. 😀
I had the occasion to meet Mr. Howe and shake his hand. As you would expect he was gracious and polite. There was no opportunity for an autograph or conversation, but it’s a happy memory nonetheless. A consummate gentleman, RIP Mr. Howe.
Great video! Thanks for putting it out there!
@@thefamilymans2545 Absolutely! Thank you for watching!
My grandmother's dad was a Red Wing fan. My grandmother said she grew up watching Gordie. When I was a kid she always had the Red Wings on tv. I started watching hockey in the early 90's. My grandmother was a little old lady that went to church all the time. The only time she'd swear was if she was watching the Red Wings.
@@wantsome-zs5sq That is such a cool memory, thank you for sharing, and watching!
I watched Gordie Howe play for the Red Wings. A great player. Who gave as much as he took, while playing hockey. No grand standing by Howe. He fought when he had to. But he never went looking for fights. If an opposing player was stupid enough to try and challenge him. that was a big mistake.
They don't call a goal, an assist and a fight a "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" for nothing. The greatest! We miss you Mr. Hockey!
Gordie Howe is my hero! Never has there been a finer human being play the greatest game for so long. All the while his dedication to his family, teams and communities proved his fine character. Though I was born and raised in Detroit 1957, and attended games at Olympia Stadium, I never saw Gordie play live. The one thing that always bothered me was the Red Wings management not granting his request to play on a line with his sons. He asked only this small favor from his team, after all he gave. The mistake made from a business sense is that the move would have increased ticket sales and attracted a lot of attention. He was an inspiration in my 30 seasons of hockey and I will always hold a special place in my heart for him. Rest in peace dear Gordie.
@@haigbalian7158 Thank you for watching! Great memories, great times, great hockey player!
Great video. 😊
He is the greatest player without a doubt! My friend Mike Antonovich from Calumet Minnesota assisted on his 1000 goal! Howe and Rocket the greatest!
Think how good the players of that era were at stick handling an shoot a puck with a straight blade stick the Hull Brothers revolutionize pro hockey with the curved stick ,it forced goalies to start wearing face masks, just look of pictures of Terry Sawchuks face an count the stitches and scar tissue!
Ya the Rocket was pretty damn good too.
He could cut ya for 3 ,4 or 5 stitches depended what he thought you needed !
Met him at a trade show, in his 60s...gracious, friendly man, and even then he looked like he could break you in two
Detroit born and bred here...had the pleasure of watching this man in action...absolutely the best NHL player of all time! He could fight, score, skate and pass! His legacy was important and he would be pleased to know that a bridge is being built between Canada and Detroit that's named after him!
@@johndembowski8609 Thank you for watching! I agree, he is and always will be a Legend
He was not born in Detroit, he was born in Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada.
The man had hands of stone and elbows of steel, The Gordie Howe Hat Trick was... a fight, a goal, and an assist on a fellow teammates goal (a helper)
At my moms 90th birthday party she brought out an old photo album when she was a teenager in Saskatoon, the pictures were of her and Gordie and their friends Mike and Mary Romanoe.
She had talked about Gordie a few times over the years but to see her pictures were so cool .
@@chrisbealey6478 Wow! Cool comment, those photos are very rare, and I’m sure they are super special! Keep them safe. #9’s Legacy will live on forever
@@TheHockeyGoon
Thanks 👍
We definitely will pass them on to the grandkids.
Gordie was incredible. He didn’t take any crap.
@@christopherneyfeldt4587 I agree! Thank you for watching!
@@TheHockeyGoon I’ve never been a fan of the Redwings been a Die Hard Blackhawks fan since the 70-71 season but I know great players when I see or hear about them. I have the utmost respect for Gordie.
Nobody in their right mind tried any crap or dirty play against Mr. Hockey! And nobody, even in the NHL liked going into a corner against him - his elbows were legendary! In this video there was a photo of him with the gloves off against Lou Fontinato - that was a legendary NHL scrap that Leapin' Lou came out of with a broken nose and a dislocated jaw! Was Howe the toughest?? If he's in second place, I can't imagine who the hell is in first!! And I'm 74 in a couple of weeks so I know - I saw plenty of his play!
Neither did Eddie Shack or Cashman!
Played with Gordie & all the Wings legends in 1957.
@@willamderrick That must of been an awesome experience! Thank you for watching!
@@TheHockeyGoon YES it was & he was a great human & loved kids.
@@willamderrick That’s amazing! Glad to hear that.
Plain and simple. The Greatest of All Time. Plus he never wore a helmet or a visor, or had a shaggy, scruffy beard.
Without contest he is Mr.Hockey and always will be. Look no further than Gretzky..double 9. Nuff said
... ah ah ah ... joker !
I believe he was the greatest, to his ruggedness,determination, and sheer longevity in the sport.
How many other N.H.L players have an International bridge built with their name on it ? He was awesome to watch!!!! 🤴🏻
Don’t they have a Claude Lemieux Bridge? Haha. That’s funny.
Yep it’s called the ” turtle toll bridge “ 🐢
I am grateful to have seen him play for the Hartford Whalers with his sons Mark and Marty.
The Babe Ruth of hockey
That was Howie Morenz, lol.
perseverance works Mr. Hockey proves that
You say Mr. Hiockey every hockey fan knows who you are talking about.
Growing up in the 60s Cody, how was my idol? He was the greatest athlete of all time end of any sport rest in peace Gordy we love you.
Got the privilege to play scrimmage games with him while attending his Geordie Howe hockey school in St Clair Shores, Michigan. Was very down to earth, you would never know he was one of the greatest hockey players ever.
Absolutely! He always had time for fans and giving autographs. If you were lucky enough to run into him and get an autograph you better had thanked him or he would mark your hand with the pen or marker. I know from experience 😂 he really was a gentleman and just pure class.
I grew up in the 60's in Detroit. To even hint then that Gordie wasn't the best ever was to court a broken nose. In my opinion he was far and away the greatest ever. Good vid
My all-time favourite hockey player from my childhood. I even bought a hockey stick with Gordie Howe's name on it from the Eaton Catalogue. Paid the big sum of $1.75 for it and I still have it.
Goodies is the GOAT. Not just offensive greatness, but a physical presence, too. RIP #9! Much love and respect from everyone in Detroit.
Absolutely the most inspiring athlete I ever saw.
Absolutely the greatest ever in my opinion. For me growing up in Detroit he was the single bigger than life athlete. Saw him take batting practice with the tigers, as he proceded to stroke three balls off the facing of the third deck. He would have been great in any sport.
Wow! Gordie smoked 'em off the third deck! I didn't even know the man played baseball at all.... What a beast.
Gordie will live on forever ! We will be driving on the Largest international suspension Bridge in North America that will be Named the Gordie Howe Bridge Betweem Detroit and Windsor! "Yes Gordie you deserve the glory"!
Atrue legend in the game.Was lu KY to see him play live and meet him,way after retirement and was gracious and respectful to the fan I was.Autographs were free back than.....
As a old (age) Boston Bruins fan I would agree Gordie Howe was the best player of all time! He could do it all and did!!
I played hockey most of my life at a young age, watch and Gordy by far the toughest and the best hockey player that ever played the game
@@toddbaker9386 Hockey is the best! Thank you for watching!
Why are you doing the audio through a megaphone?
I was cutting through a hotel lobby in Calgary, and Gordie was sitting in a chair in the lounge. He had to be in his 70s or more at the time. One look at him, with his stature and the size of his hands made you realize that he was not a man who you wanted to meet in the corner.
Greatest hockey player of all time, bar none.
What a legend. I wore #9 all through hockey, because of this icon
@@Jay9999 Thank you for watching! I never felt good enough to wear it!
Andy Bathgate wrote a book in which he told an amazing story about what Howe did to Red Sullivan when Red boarded him. Suffice it to say, Red was very sorry.
Was there ever any doubt? That Gordie Howe would be termed the toughest man ever to lace up skates and play in the National Hockey League? It is ironic that the "Gordie Howe hat-trick" - which consists of a goal, an assist and a fight - only happened a few times to Howe in his career. After destroying Lou Fontinato in a fight with the Ranger's tough guy in 1959, no one wanted to wind up on Gordie's bad side. That didn't even get into his legendary sharp elbows. If you bush-leagued him or disrespected him, burned him .... Howe would take your name and number and then bide his time until your head was down and you weren't looking, and then he'd drop the hammer.
Howe was one of the kindest, most soft-spoken gentlemen around off the ice, but he was as tough as nails while on it, and didn't take nonsense from anyone. And it wasn't just his mean streak; he was built like superman and was widely known as one of the strongest men in the game.
Howe's legendary durability was also part of his toughness. He played a young man's game well into middle age, making his final All-Star Game as a fifty year old alongside Wayne Gretzky who was a rookie at the time.
Everyone says that Gretzky broke his scoring records, but if Gordie's NHL and WHA records are pooled, he was - and still remains - the all-time scoring leader.
There will never be another one like "Mr. Hockey"....
Howe was the greatest.
certainly of his time when i was a kid playing hockey i would always try to get the number 9 sweater i could be gordie howe mind you just in thaught
I got to see him play at the old chicago stadium.
Back in the days when Bobby Hull was the hottest ticket in town, I surmise.
I can recall Howe from the mid-60s, but by then his best days were long since passed. Chicago and Detroit were sister cities in many ways, only realized when I was older how important and wealthy Detroit was in the height of car manufacturing. When I went to school in Ann Arbor, I had to admit the radio stations in that area were so much better.
@@PageMarker1 My dad started taking me to Hawks games at the old stadium in 1961, I was eight then. The old Barn as it was affectionately called was an awesome arena. Saw many great games and players over the years.
@@oatis053 Blackhawks won the Cup in '61, I was 4 at the time. That '71 loss to the Canadiens really stung.
At least we had a decent run last decade, don't expect to live long enough to see that again, 1 let alone 3.
Ah, the roar of the crowd in the old barn as Bobby Hull skates down the ice to set up for a slap shot!
Holiday Greetings!
@@PageMarker1 I was an Andy Frain usher for the 71 season was at every game including the playoffs. Me and and old friend when we were around 16 used to take the central bus from Belmont to Madison to the stadium and pay five dollars for a standing room ticket. We were the only white guys on the bus!
I saw Gordie at an old timers game and he slid head first into the boards, and got right up like nothing happened, I would have been calling for my mom or an ambulance.
I grew up in Saint Clair Shores near Gordie Howe Hockey land. It was an indoor ice rink where kids could play.
@@billgoodwin8742 That’s awesome! Love that!
I remember that arena I believe it was on Harper between 13 and 14 mile Rd ? I grew up in Roseville.
@@johntaormina1084 Nice!! Good area, thank you for watching!
I was fortunate enough to meet him and shake his hand before he passed. He was a mountain of a man.
Was waiting for the historic fight with Lou Fontinato. He broke his nose with a punch and turned his face into a mangled mess.
@@sawchucksaves1867 Thank you for watching and the comment, I’ll have to find that!
Gordie Howe was the epitome of “Hard Times make Tough Men”
Had the pleasure of watching him play in the WHA with his two sons Mark and Marty
If you search Gordie Howe fishing image you will see why he was one of a kind.
Mr. Howe was not only tough he was one mean SOB. He had a Nobel prize for his elbows and a PhD for his stick work. Nobody liked playing against Mr. Howe. Still think 5 Orrs could beat 5 Howes.
@@DonMcFarlane-sf7lw Thank you for watching and the very cool comment. I agree and will be posting an Orr video soon!
Mr. Hockey was the greatest all-around NHLer.
Grandpa told me a story when he watched Gordie get in a fight then after he dropped the guy, he grabbed the guys skates and pulled him around the rink😂
Not sure if he was the greatest player to ever live but his rep as a tough guy was enhanced or gotten in part from a fight with Lou Fontinato
While Gordie was a tough guy he had seen Lou coming from a reflection in the glass and used that to get in the first punch.
That helped him cement his place as a tough guy.
Gordie once asked me what my best foursome ever was. Knowing I couldn't compete I deferred and asked him. 'Ted Williams, Willie Mays and Joe DiMaggio', he said with a huge smile. I asked who won. He would not answer. I must have asked him at least 7 times over the course of that morning - he never answered. He seemed to have a slight smile but bowed his head several times and wouldn't look me in the eye. I just know, absolutely, he beat them all.
@@billg2354 Thank you for watching! Too humble to show off, I love that
Most Definately...Mr. hockey...we share the love of the game and a similar birthday. WRB
@@billbauer9861 That is very cool! Thank you for watching.
Shared birthday, April 22, Jack Nicholson, Marilyn Chambers, and myself.
In a time when the average size was 5"10 175 he was 6'2 215 and strong as an ox.
@@timw4369 Absolutely agree! He was a beast!
6 ft 205. No need to exaggerate. Look for photo of him shirtless on fishing boat in FL from early biography “Gordie Howe No. 9” to see the power in his upper body and Popeye forearms. According to the book he built up his body digging the foundation for his parent’s house by hand one summer. It’s said he would break his stick on occasion between his hands with the power of his wrist shot. My idol since I was a boy back in Detroit. Fond memories.
So lucky to have seen him play many times.
And now he has an international bridge named after him! Opening Soon. Detroit to Windsor, and vice versa.
When Gordie was asked why he wore a cup and not a helmet he responded..."well, you can always get someone to do your thinking for you".
Gordie was also a professional golfer (won a lot of tournaments on his way back home after hockey season) and professional baseball player - it filled his summers and kept him in shape. #21 Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century; "...at least I beat the horse (Secretariat)".
@@billg2354 Thank you for watching! Love that comment, I agree 100%
WITHOUT A DOUBT!
Absolutely he was and still is.
@@musicman532 Thank you for watching! More good content coming!
None tougher than Ferny Flaman who Gordie called the toughest defenseman he ever played against
you know he was
@@adamlastman6688 Thank you for watching! More videos coming! Let me know if you’d like someone specific
@@TheHockeyGoon I grew up 60s 70s the best
@@adamlastman6688 Awesome! I’ll upload more good stuff!
Bobby Orr was great as well. I’d give that a toss up. Both Awesome!
I believe one of his sons became one of a top Brain surgeon in America
The only player to play professional hockey in 5 different decades
@@kirkwells5932 Thank you for watching! I plan to upload more about him!
As the song goes, “the greatest of them all”.
Absolutely the best in my pop's & my opinion Mr hockey was hockey!!
yes, he is the GOAT
Fractured skull and almost died.
Wins the scoring title next season
Gordie is still loved till this day in Houston Texas for what he did for Hockey here he is the best ever to play the game and it's not even close even 99 will tell you that and number 8. Houston should have have a Hockey team in the NHL.
MR HOCKEY
Nuff said.
Best hockey skater of all time. His center of gravity was at his knees.
No question, he did it all.
Good video, just not enough emphasis on the fact he retired as the GREATEST goal scorer of all time, and the fact that he was also a "Scrapper". Until today the term "A Howe hat trick" is know to be: A Goal, an Assist and a fight, in the same game.
As a hockey fan since 1961 from Chicago Bobby Hull was my idol great player. I didn't like G H because he was the GOAT an still is. Respect is an absolute for him.
Is this an AI voice?
Both Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Orr said Gordie was the greatest. What better testimony do you need than that?
bobby orr is the greatest without question and i do love gretzky
holy distorted audio Batman.
For me this is only one, its Börje Salming
I've seen them all and Gordie was truly the toughest, But Bobby Orr was the greatest player I ever saw to this day
Absolutely the best all around player ever. Bobby Orr a close 2nd
The commentary is way over the top on this video. Instead of making up for the poor content, you actually emphasize how bad it is. This video is an insult to the man known rightly as Mr. Hockey
Maybe Rocket Richard was better but there are a lot of facets to the greatest of all time so who knows … I know the Rocket didn't like playing against Gordie too much because he'd always get an elbow in the face going into the corners .
@@Kevin-bp2cw Thank you for watching, I’ll have to create a video about The Rocket
you had to watch out for the elbow.
@@steveperry1344 Love to hear it!
Yes and remember he came from the Canadian heartland where you earn everything you get