Gordie Howe

The Original Icon Who Defined Greatness on Ice

Long before Wayne Gretzky was dubbed "The Great One," there was Gordie Howe—a man so complete, so durable, and so dominant that the NHL’s very fabric was stitched together around his presence. He could outscore you. He could outwork you. And if necessary, he could outpunch you too.

Gordie Howe wasn’t just a hockey player. He was hockey. For more than three decades, he was the benchmark by which all others were measured. Tough as steel, graceful in motion, and remarkably consistent, Howe bridged generations—debuting in the 1940s and playing professionally into the 1980s. He shattered scoring records, redefined longevity, and inspired awe with his blend of finesse and ferocity.

In the mythos of hockey, Howe stands as the original titan—the standard of greatness before statistical eras, advanced analytics, or national TV contracts. His legend grew not through hype but through grit, excellence, and the quiet, brutal poetry of his game.

From Floral Roots to Frozen Glory: A Small-Town Kid's Ascent

Born in Floral, Saskatchewan in 1928, Gordie Howe grew up during the Depression in the Canadian Prairies. Like many boys of that era, hockey wasn’t just a sport—it was an escape. He played on frozen ponds with homemade equipment, developing strength by hauling bricks and doing physical labor from a young age.

He was discovered at age 15 and invited to a tryout with the New York Rangers, but it was the Detroit Red Wings who saw his potential and signed him to a contract. Howe made his NHL debut in the 1946–47 season at just 18 years old—and from the moment he stepped onto the ice, the game tilted in his direction.

He wasn’t the fastest skater or the most naturally gifted stickhandler. But he was strong, calculated, and completely fearless. And over time, he would become the most complete player the game had ever seen.

Career Stats and Accomplishments

• NHL Games Played: 1,767
• NHL Goals: 801
• NHL Assists: 1,049
• NHL Points: 1,850
• WHA Games Played: 419
• WHA Points: 508 (174 goals, 334 assists)
• Combined Professional Points: 2,358
• Stanley Cup Championships: 4 (1950, 1952, 1954, 1955 with Detroit)
• Hart Memorial Trophy (League MVP): 6 times
• Art Ross Trophy (Scoring Leader): 6 times
• NHL All-Star: 23 selections
• Played in 5 different decades (1940s through 1980s)
• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame: 1972
• Only player to play with both his sons in a professional game
• NHL Lifetime Plus/Minus: +160
• Number 9 retired by the Detroit Red Wings
• NHL All-Time Games Played Leader for over 40 years

Moments That Made the Man—and the Legend

The Gordie Howe Hat Trick
Though he only officially recorded two in his career, the term “Gordie Howe Hat Trick”—a goal, an assist, and a fight—remains one of the most iconic phrases in hockey. It represents the complete player Howe was: not only capable of scoring and setting up teammates, but also standing up for himself and anyone else who needed it.

Playing With His Sons in the WHA
In 1973, at age 45, Howe came out of retirement to join the Houston Aeros of the WHA so he could play alongside his sons, Mark and Marty Howe. Remarkably, not only did he play—he excelled, tallying 100 points in his first season back and earning league MVP honors. It was a moment that transcended sport—a father, still elite, playing shoulder-to-shoulder with his sons on the professional stage.

The Final NHL Game at Age 52
After six seasons in the WHA, Howe returned for one final NHL campaign with the Hartford Whalers during the 1979–80 season, playing all 80 games at age 52. He scored 15 goals and added 26 assists, proving that even in his sixth decade, he was more than just a novelty—he was still a contributor.

Cornerstone Cards for the Collector’s Mount Rushmore

1951 Parkhurst #66 – Rookie Card
One of the most iconic hockey cards ever produced. The 1951 Parkhurst set reintroduced hockey cards to the post-war era, and Howe’s rookie is the crown jewel. Due to fragile cardstock and centering issues, high-grade examples are extremely rare and valuable.

1954 Topps #8
From the first Topps hockey set, this card captures Howe during his scoring prime. Clean design, bold photography, and historical significance make this a major target for vintage collectors.

1971 O-Pee-Chee #100 – With the Red Wings, Late Career
Released during Howe’s final years with Detroit, this card shows him as a veteran still producing at an elite level. It represents the end of one chapter—just before he would make history again in the WHA.

Legacy: Toughness, Timelessness, and Total Dominance

Gordie Howe’s legacy is woven into the DNA of the NHL. He was the model for what every player aspired to be—skillful, strong, durable, respected, and feared. He wasn’t interested in flair. He was interested in results. And for more than three decades, he delivered them at a rate that seemed impossible.

He was the first player to reach 1,000 points… and then 1,500… and then 1,800. He redefined scoring longevity in a punishing, pre-expansion league full of elbows, slashes, and cement boards. But more than the goals, it was his consistency—season after season, year after year—always leading, always contributing, always setting the standard.

He was revered by teammates, feared by opponents, and respected by every generation of player who came after. When Wayne Gretzky entered the NHL, it was Howe’s number 9 he wore in admiration, eventually switching to 99 in tribute to the original.

And yet, for all his accolades, Howe remained humble, quiet, and fiercely loyal to the game and its values. He never demanded attention; he earned it. He never talked about being the best; he let his career do the speaking.

Today, he is remembered not just for his staggering numbers or impossible longevity, but for what he meant to the game of hockey as a whole. He was its face, its soul, and its blueprint for greatness.

There are legends. There are champions. And then there is Gordie Howe—the man who played the game longer, harder, and better than anyone else ever has.