Who Is Gordie Howe? Age, Biography and Wiki
Gordie Howe was born on March 31, 1928, in Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada. He was an unparalleled ice hockey player, often regarded as one of the greatest in the history of the sport. Gordie's illustrious career spanned several decades, from the 1940s to the 1980s, during which he played primarily for the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL. Howe's remarkable achievements earned him nicknames like "Mr. Hockey," and he became an enduring symbol of the sport.
Though he passed away on June 10, 2016, at the age of 88, Howe's legacy continues to influence aspiring athletes and hockey fans worldwide.
| Occupation | Hockey Player |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 31, 1928 |
| Age | 88 Years |
| Birth Place | Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | Canada |
| Date of death | 10 June, 2016 |
| Died Place | Sylvania, Ohio, U.S. |
Popularity
Gordie Howe's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Gordie Howe stood tall at 6 feet (183 cm), a fitting height for a player of his tenure and style. Throughout his career, he maintained a robust physique, weighing around 205 lbs (93 kg). Howe’s physical attributes, combined with his exceptional skill, allowed him to dominate on the ice. His strong build and agility contributed to his ability to endure the rigorous demands of professional hockey.
As Howe emerged as one of the game's superstars, he was frequently compared to the Montreal Canadiens' Maurice Richard. Both were right wingers who wore #9, were regular challengers for the league scoring title, and could also play roughly if needed.
Their first NHL match-up was in 1946, where Richard hit Howe with a hard check and an elbow to the chin. Howe and Richard never got to fight due to Sid Abel intervening. Abel received a broken nose. Howe recalled "They always thought there was bad blood because I hit [Richard] once coming across the line and he spun like a rocket and fell down.
He wasn't hurt that much and I started to laugh. But the laughter stopped when there were eight guys on me". Howe also had a rivalry with the Canadiens' centre Jean Béliveau, who wrote in his autobiography that "trying to strong-arm Gordie off the puck in a corner was akin to wrestling with a telephone pole".
The Red Wings and Canadiens faced off in four Stanley Cup Finals during the 1950s, and again in the 1966 final; Detroit prevailed in 1952, 1954 and 1955, but Montreal triumphed in 1956 and 1966.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
During his lifetime, Gordie Howe was married to Colleen Howe (née Lutz) from 1953 until her passing in 2009. The couple shared a deep bond and raised three children together: Marty, Mark, and Cathy. Their partnership both on and off the ice was a testament to their enduring love. Gordie was known for his family-oriented nature, often crediting his wife and children for their support throughout his career.
Even years after his family's loss, Howe's resilience and commitment to family values are dwelled upon fondly by those who knew him.
He was one of nine siblings. When Gordie was nine days old, the Howes moved to Saskatoon, where his father worked as a labourer during the Depression. In the summers, Howe would work construction with his father. Howe was mildly dyslexic growing up but was physically beyond his years at an early age.
Already six feet tall in his mid-teens, doctors feared a calcium deficiency and encouraged him to strengthen his spine with chin-ups. He began playing organized hockey at age eight. Howe quit school during the Depression to work in construction, then left Saskatoon at 16 to pursue his hockey career.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Gordie Howe's estimated net worth was between $10 million and $12 million. His wealth came from various sources, including his NHL salary, endorsements, and business ventures throughout his career and post-retirement. Howe was among the highest-paid athletes during his time, and his strategic investments further contributed to his financial earnings.
Howe was known for being a well-mannered and trusting person off the ice who never questioned the salary the Detroit Red Wings owners paid him.
When it became public knowledge Howe had scored more than 600 goals for the organization before it reluctantly offered to pay him over $40,000, his linemate, Ted Lindsay, began a campaign to establish a player's association to unite for fair wages against the NHL owners.
This would be the nucleus of the movement that became the National Hockey League Players' Association.
Career, Business and Investments
Gordie Howe's professional career began when he debuted in the NHL at the young age of 18. He became a prolific scorer and was known for his incredible playmaking abilities. Throughout his 32-season career, he won numerous awards, including the Hart Trophy for most valuable player six times and the Art Ross Trophy as the league's top scorer.
After retiring from professional play, Howe stayed involved in hockey through various roles, including coaching and broadcasting. He also engaged in business ventures, including hockey-related merchandise and his trademark charitable foundation.
Gordon Howe (March 31, 1928 – June 10, 2016) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. From 1946 to 1980, he played 26 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) and six seasons in the World Hockey Association (WHA); his first 25 seasons were spent with the Detroit Red Wings. Nicknamed "Mr.
Hockey", Howe is often considered the most complete player ever to play the game and one of the greatest of all time. At his retirement, his 801 goals, 1,049 assists, and 1,850 total points were all NHL records that stood until they were broken by Wayne Gretzky, who himself has been a major champion of Howe's legacy.
A 23-time NHL All-Star, he shares the NHL record for seasons played with Chris Chelios, and his all-time NHL games played record of 1,767 was only surpassed in 2021 by Patrick Marleau. In 2017, Howe was named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players".
Social Network
Gordie Howe was not only adored by hockey fans but also respected by many athletes and celebrities. His contributions to social media are posthumously honored by fans through various tribute accounts that celebrate his legendary status. Fans continue to share memories and moments of Howe's career, ensuring that his legacy remains alive across platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
In February 2011, various groups proposed naming the New International Trade Crossing bridge, a proposed bridge that will connect Detroit and Windsor by linking Highway 401 in Ontario with Interstate 75 and Interstate 94 in Michigan, in honour of Howe.
On May 14, 2015, during an event attended by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, it was officially announced that the bridge would be known as the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Canadian actor Michael Shanks portrayed Howe in the television film Mr. Hockey: The Gordie Howe Story.
The film aired April 28, 2013, on CBC Television in Canada, and on the Hallmark Channel in the US on May 5.
Education
Though Gordie Howe did not pursue formal higher education, his education in hockey started when he was a young boy playing on the outdoor rinks in Saskatchewan. His relentless determination and aptitude placed him in the spotlight at a young age, and he learned the dynamics of teamwork and strategy firsthand throughout his career in professional hockey.
