Few nicknames are earned as completely as Mr. Hockey. Gordie Howe played professional hockey from 1946 to 1980, won four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings, collected six Hart Trophies and six scoring titles, and was still skating in the NHL at 52. He died in 2016, but his name is still the benchmark for longevity.
Here is the story of the boy from Saskatchewan who became the face of the game. Browse our Detroit Red Wings collection.
Gordie Howe Fact File
| Full name | Gordon Howe |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 31 March 1928 |
| Place of birth | Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Died | 10 June 2016, Sylvania, Ohio (aged 88) |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Position | Right wing |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Teams | Detroit Red Wings, Houston Aeros, New England Whalers, Hartford Whalers |
| Shirt number | 9 |
| Nickname | Mr. Hockey |
Career History
| Years | Team/League | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946–71 | Detroit Red Wings (NHL) | 1,687 | 786 | 1,023 | 1,809 |
| 1973–77 | Houston Aeros (WHA) | 285 | 121 | 248 | 369 |
| 1977–79 | New England Whalers (WHA) | 134 | 53 | 86 | 139 |
| 1979–80 | Hartford Whalers (NHL) | 80 | 15 | 26 | 41 |
| WHA total | Houston, New England | 419 | 174 | 334 | 508 |
| NHL total | Detroit, Hartford | 1,767 | 801 | 1,049 | 1,850 |
Regular-season figures only, per Hockey Reference; Howe added 160 points in 157 NHL play-off games.
Early Years on the Prairies
Howe was born in Floral, Saskatchewan, and grew up in Saskatoon, where frozen ponds and long winters gave him endless hours on the ice. He left home at 16 to chase a hockey career, and at 17 he was playing for the Omaha Knights in the USHL, a Red Wings affiliate.
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Breaking Through in Detroit
He made his NHL debut for Detroit on 16 October 1946 and soon became the right wing on the famous "Production Line" alongside Ted Lindsay and Sid Abel. Strong, ambidextrous and impossible to knock off the puck, he won his first Art Ross Trophy in 1950–51 and lifted the Stanley Cup in 1950.
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The Peak of Mr. Hockey
The 1950s belonged to Howe. Detroit won further Cups in 1952, 1954 and 1955, and he took four scoring titles in a row from 1950–51 to 1953–54. He was named league MVP six times, the last in 1963, and earned 21 All-Star team selections.
His blend of skill and grit even inspired the phrase Gordie Howe hat trick: a goal, an assist and a fight in the same game.
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A Comeback and a Lasting Legacy
Howe retired in 1971 and entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972, then astonished everyone by returning with the WHA's Houston Aeros in 1973 to play alongside his sons Mark and Marty. He won two Avco World Trophies and the 1974 WHA MVP award.
When the Whalers joined the NHL, he played all 80 games of 1979–80 at 51 and 52, becoming the oldest man to appear in an NHL game. His 801 NHL goals stood as the record until Wayne Gretzky passed them.
Honours
Team
- Stanley Cup (4): 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955
- Avco World Trophy (2): 1974, 1975
Individual
- Hart Trophy (6): 1952, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963
- Art Ross Trophy (6)
- WHA Most Valuable Player: 1974
- 21 NHL All-Star team selections
Recognition
- Hockey Hall of Fame: inducted 1972
- Officer of the Order of Canada: 1971
- No. 9 retired by the Detroit Red Wings, 1972
- Gordie Howe International Bridge named in his honour
Away From the Game
Howe was married to Colleen Howe from 1953 until her death in 2009, and she was a driving force behind his business affairs. Their son Mark followed him into the Hockey Hall of Fame, having played alongside his father and brother Marty in Houston and New England.
FAQs
How old was Gordie Howe when he died?
Gordie Howe died on 10 June 2016 in Sylvania, Ohio, aged 88.
Where was Gordie Howe born?
He was born in Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada, on 31 March 1928 and grew up in Saskatoon.
How tall was Gordie Howe?
Howe stood 6 ft 0 in (183 cm), a powerful frame for a winger of his era.
What teams did Gordie Howe play for?
The Detroit Red Wings (1946–71), the WHA's Houston Aeros (1973–77) and New England Whalers (1977–79), and the NHL's Hartford Whalers (1979–80).
How many goals did Gordie Howe score?
He scored 801 goals and 1,850 points in 1,767 NHL regular-season games, plus 174 goals in the WHA.
What is a Gordie Howe hat trick?
A goal, an assist and a fight in the same game, a nod to the mix of skill and toughness that defined him.
Shop the Gordie Howe Collection
Wear a little of Mr. Hockey's legend with our Gordie Howe designs, made for fans who appreciate the original great.
Gordie Howe Men's Hoodie
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Explore more in our Ice Hockey collection and Detroit Red Wings collection, or put your own name on the back with our custom name hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Wayne Gretzky Career Story and Bobby Orr Career Story.
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