Gordon Howe OC, known as “Mr. Hockey,” or Gordie Howe was a legendary Canadian professional ice hockey player born on March 31, 1928, in Floral, Saskatchewan. Over a remarkable career from 1946 to 1980, Howe played 26 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) and six seasons in the World Hockey Association (WHA), predominantly with the Detroit Red Wings. Howe set numerous records, many of which stood until broken by Wayne Gretzky and retired with 801 goals, 1,049 assists, and 1,850 points, earning his place as one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Howe passed away on June 10, 2016.
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Who is Gordie Howe?
Gordie Howe, affectionately known as “Mr. Hockey,” stands as a towering personality in ice hockey. He was welcomed in to this world on March 31, 1928, in the small town of Floral, Saskatchewan, where his journey from a rural upbringing to becoming one of the most iconic athletes in history has been impressive and liked by all. He grew up during the Great Depression, and exhibited an early affinity for the sport, balancing his time between helping his father with construction work and honing his hockey skills. By the time he was a teenager, his talent was undeniable, and he started following his path, a foundation which we all testify to as a good leap.
Howe made his NHL debut with the Detroit Red Wings in 1946 at just 18 years old. Over the next 25 seasons, he would become synonymous with the franchise, leading them to four Stanley Cup victories. He is known for his exceptional scoring ability, physical toughness, and versatility on the ice. His records for goals, assists, and total points stood unchallenged for decades. His beautiful consistency saw him finish among the top ten scorers for 21 consecutive years. His individual honors, which include six Hart Trophies as the league’s most valuable player and six Art Ross Trophies for leading the league in points.
In 1971, Howe retired for the first time, only to return to professional hockey two years later to play alongside his sons in the WHAa and continued to compete at a high level well into his 40s, earning two Avco World Trophies and a WHA MVP award. His final stint in the NHL came in the 1979-80 season with the Hartford Whalers, making him the only player to compete in the league across five different decades. Even after officially retiring from professional play, Howe’s influence remained strong, highlighted by a ceremonial game in 1997 that marked his participation in professional hockey over six decades.
His lasting influence is honored with various halls of fame, statues, and accolades, including the NHL Lifetime Achievement Award. Howe’s personal life was similarly exceptional, with a long marriage to Colleen and a deep bond with his children, two of whom went on to play professional hockey. Colleen’s battle with the disease inspired Howe’s eventual advocacy for Alzheimer’s research. Gordie Howe died on June 10, 2016.
What is Gordie Howe’s age, height, and weight?
Gordie Howe was born on March 31, 1928, and died on June 10, 2016. He died at the age of 88. In his playing career, Howe was noted for his physical presence on the ice, measuring 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighing around 205 pounds (93 kg).
What is Gordie Howe’s Nationality and Ethnicity?
Gordie Howe was Canadian by nationality. He was born in Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada, and has spent the majority of his life in Canada and the United States due to his professional hockey career. Howe’s ethnicity was Anglo-Saxon, having ancestral roots in Britain and Germany. His parents, Albert and Katherine Howe, were of English and German origin, respectively.
What is Gordie Howe’s profession?
Gordie Howe was a professional hockey player. He mostly competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) and the World Hockey Association. Howe’s career lasted from 1946 to 1980, with a brief resurgence in 1997-1998, making him one of the sport’s most enduring and well-known players. Nicknamed “Mr. Hockey,” Howe was renowned for his tremendous talent, physical power, and career longevity, which earned him a spot among the greatest hockey players of all time.
| Team | Years | Key Descriptions |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings (NHL) | 1946–1971 | Spent 25 seasons, won 4 Stanley Cups, 6 Hart Trophies, and 6 Art Ross Trophies. |
| Houston Aeros (WHA) | 1973–1977 | Played alongside his sons Mark and Marty, won 2 Avco World Trophies, named MVP in 1974. |
| New England Whalers (WHA) | 1977–1979 | Continued to play with his sons, remained a significant contributor despite his age. |
| Hartford Whalers (NHL) | 1979–1980 | Returned to the NHL for one final season at age 51, playing 80 games. |
| Detroit Vipers (IHL) | 1997–1998 | Made a single shift at age 69, extending his professional career to six decades. |
| Omaha Knights (USHL) | 1945–1946 | Played 1 season before joining the NHL, scored 48 points in 51 games. |
| Galt Red Wings (OHA) | 1944–1945 | Played in junior hockey before moving up to professional ranks. |
Who are Gordie Howe’s Parents?
Gordie Howe’s parents were Albert Howe and Katherine Howe (née Schultz). They were of humble origins, with Albert working as a laborer during the Great Depression to support the family.
Does Gordie Howe have siblings?
Yes, Gordie Howe had siblings. He was one of nine children in his family. Among his siblings, his younger brother, Vic Howe, also played in the NHL, appearing in 33 games with the New York Rangers between 1950 and 1955.
Who is Gordie Howe married to?
Gordie Howe was married to Colleen Howe. They met in a bowling alley when she was 17 years old and married four years later, on April 15, 1953. Colleen Howe was very interested in hockey, serving as one of the founders of the Detroit Junior Red Wings and as a financial representative for Gordie and their son Mark in their careers. She died in 2009, following a protracted fight with Pick’s disease.
Does Gordie Howe have children?
Yes, Gordie Howe and his wife Colleen Howe had four children together. Marty Howe, one of their children, played professional hockey with the Houston Aeros in the WHA and the Hartford Whalers in the NHL, alongside his father. Mark Howe also had a lengthy and successful NHL career, playing 16 seasons before being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011. Murray Howe is a radiologist headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, while Cathy Howe lives in Lubbock, Texas.
What is Gordie Howe’s Net Worth?
Gordie Howe has an estimated net worth of $10 million.
How much does Gordie Howe make annually?
For annual salary, check the table below:
| Season | Earnings (US$) | In today’s US$ |
|---|---|---|
| 1945-46 | $2,700 | $45,730 |
| 1946-47 | $5,000 | $78,048 |
| 1947-48 | $6,000 | $81,909 |
| 1948-49 | $7,000 | $88,686 |
| 1949-50 | $8,000 | $102,377 |
| 1950-51 | $9,000 | $113,930 |
| 1951-52 | $10,000 | $117,373 |
| 1952-53 | $17,000 | $195,100 |
| 1953-54 | $12,000 | $136,637 |
| 1954-55 | $16,000 | $181,572 |
| 1955-56 | $17,000 | $193,424 |
| 1956-57 | $18,000 | $201,788 |
| 1957-58 | $28,000 | $303,724 |
| 1958-59 | $22,000 | $232,273 |
| 1959-60 | $25,000 | $261,321 |
| 1960-61 | $25,000 | $257,522 |
| 1961-62 | $25,000 | $254,851 |
| 1962-63 | $38,500 | $387,800 |
| 1963-64 | $31,000 | $308,481 |
| 1964-65 | $40,000 | $392,908 |
| 1965-66 | $37,000 | $357,788 |
| 1966-67 | $50,000 | $469,492 |
| 1967-68 | $50,000 | $456,685 |
| 1968-69 | $49,500 | $433,659 |
| 1969-70 | $45,000 | $373,814 |
| 1970-71 | $100,000 | $784,905 |
| 1971-72 | $0 | $0 |
| 1972-73 | $0 | $0 |
| 1973-74 | $250,000 | $1,715,653 |
| 1974-75 | $250,000 | $1,544,818 |
| 1975-76 | $250,000 | $1,415,366 |
| 1976-77 | $250,000 | $1,338,517 |
| 1977-78 | $500,000 | $2,513,612 |
| 1978-79 | $500,000 | $2,335,582 |
| 1979-80 | $500,000 | $2,099,063 |
| Career Total | $3,193,700 | $19,774,407 |
What philanthropic causes or charities does Gordie Howe support?
Gordie Howe was well-known for his philanthropic efforts and support for a variety of causes during his life.
| Philanthropic Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Healthcare | Howe actively supported medical research and healthcare initiatives, including cancer research, heart health, and neurological disorders. |
| Children’s Charities | He participated in fundraisers for children’s hospitals and organizations supporting underprivileged and sick children. |
| Education | Howe contributed to scholarship programs or educational institutions. |
| Sports-related Charities | Supported initiatives providing access to sports for disadvantaged youth or those with disabilities. |
| Community Development | Supported programs aimed at community development, including youth programs and community centers. |
| Veterans’ Causes | supported charities dedicated to veterans’ welfare and their families. |
What brands and endorsements does Gordie Howe have?
| Brand/Endorsement | Description |
|---|---|
| Eaton | Howe endorsed Eaton’s Truline sports equipment, which included hockey gear. |
| Eaton (Endorsement) | Howe earned endorsement deals from Eaton, a department store, likely for promoting various products. |
How many awards has Gordie Howe won?
Gordie Howe, also known as “Mr. Hockey,” won multiple awards during his astounding career. One of Howe’s most beautiful accomplishments was winning the Hart Memorial Trophy six times, which is given to the NHL’s most valuable player. Furthermore, Howe’s domination in goal-scoring won him the NHL goal-scoring lead on several occasions. Howe’s consistency and durability in the sport were honored by his selection to the NHL All-Star Game a record 23 times.
During his time in the WHA, Howe won the Avco World Trophy twice and was chosen to the WHA First All-Star Team twice. In appreciation of his unequaled accomplishments in the sport, Howe was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
| Category | Award/Honor/Record | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Awards | Hart Memorial Trophy | Awarded to the NHL’s most valuable player (6 times: 1952, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963). |
| Art Ross Trophy | Awarded to the NHL’s leading scorer (6 times: 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1963). | |
| Lester Patrick Trophy | Awarded for outstanding service to hockey in the United States (1967). | |
| Ted Lindsay Award | Awarded to the NHL’s most outstanding player as voted by the NHLPA (1972). | |
| NHL All-Star Team | Selected to the NHL First All-Star Team (12 times) and Second All-Star Team (9 times). | |
| NHL All-Star Game | Played in 23 NHL All-Star Games. | |
| WHA Most Valuable Player | Named WHA MVP (1974). | |
| Avco World Trophy | WHA Championship with the Houston Aeros (1974, 1975). | |
| WHA All-Star Team | Named to the WHA First All-Star Team (1974, 1975). | |
| NHL Lifetime Achievement Award | Honored in 2008 for his contributions to the sport of hockey. | |
| Honors | Hockey Hall of Fame | Inducted in 1972. |
| Order of Canada | Appointed Officer of the Order of Canada (1971). | |
| Michigan Sports Hall of Fame | Inducted in 1969. | |
| Canada’s Walk of Fame | Inducted in 2000. | |
| Records | Most Games Played (NHL) | Held the record for most games played in the NHL (1,767) until surpassed by Patrick Marleau in 2021. |
| Most Seasons Played (NHL) | Played 26 seasons in the NHL, a record at the time. | |
| Most Combined NHL/WHA Goals | Scored a combined total of 975 goals (NHL and WHA). | |
| Most Combined NHL/WHA Points | Recorded a combined total of 2,358 points (NHL and WHA). | |
| Oldest Player to Play in the NHL | Played in the NHL at age 52 with the Hartford Whalers. | |
| Oldest Player to Score in the NHL | Scored a goal in the NHL at age 52. | |
| Records Surpassed | Most NHL Goals | Surpassed by Wayne Gretzky (802 goals). |
| Most NHL Points | Surpassed by Wayne Gretzky (1,850 points). | |
| Most NHL Assists | Surpassed by numerous players, notably Wayne Gretzky. | |
| Most Games Played (NHL) | Surpassed by Patrick Marleau (1,768 games). |
What inspired Gordie Howe to start playing hockey?
Gordie Howe was inspired to start playing hockey after receiving a hockey stick as a gift at a young age. He began playing on the frozen sloughs and streets of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. No wonder he was that rugged and had an effective playing style on the ice.
Did Gordie Howe really play professional hockey in six different decades?
Yes, Gordie Howe achieved the feat of playing professional hockey in six different decades. He started his NHL career in the 1940s and made a brief comeback in the 1990s. In 1997, at age 69, Howe played one shift for the Detroit Vipers of the International Hockey League (IHL).
How did Gordie Howe get the nickname “Mr. Hockey”?
Gordie Howe earned the nickname “Mr. Hockey” due to his dominance, longevity, all-around skills, toughness, and sportsmanship in the sport.
What is the “Gordie Howe Hat Trick”?
A “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” is a term coined in hockey to describe a game in which a player records a goal, an assist, and a fight. Despite the term being named after him, Howe himself only recorded two such hat tricks in his entire career.
Did Gordie Howe ever consider retirement before his final one?
Yes, Gordie Howe considered retirement multiple times during his career. He first retired in 1971 but returned to professional hockey in 1973 to play in the World Hockey Association (WHA) with his sons, Mark and Marty. He finally retired for good in 1980, though he made that brief appearance in 1997.
How significant was Gordie Howe’s family in his hockey career?
Gordie Howe’s family played a significant role in his career, particularly during his time in the WHA, where he joined the Houston Aeros primarily to play alongside his sons, Mark and Marty. This decision allowed him to continue playing at a high level while also mentoring his children.
What contributions did Gordie Howe make off the ice?
Gordie Howe was known for his charitable work and community involvement. He supported numerous causes, including the Gordie Howe C.A.R.E.S. (Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Education Society).