RIP Gordie Howe...
 

Not a pre-war thread, but arguably the greatest in hockey history.

Going to miss you Gordie.

Goodnight Mr. Hockey.

so sad a true gentleman

RIP Gordie...

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2016/06/...erous-reports/


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Sad news. Growing up in SE MI, I knew many people who had come into contact with Gordie, and I never heard one comment that was less than glowing. Hard to imagine a more genuinely nice and approachable all-time great. Hopefully he racks up more Gordie Howe Hat Tricks in the next life.

His cards and memorabilia must be being snapped up at a blistering pace on EBAY.

Always fascinating to watch when a legend passes.

RIP, Mr. Hockey.

Man, what a terrible year in terms of the passing of legends. RIP Gordie.

Terrible news! This is the first I have heard of his passing. Not a hockey fan, but I have enormous respect for him.

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So sad he was an incredibly nice and generous man.

What a giant of the game and a legacy that will live for many many more years . Peaceful passing over Gordie .

Wow..... A CT native and a Whaler....RIP Gordie ..... Mr. Hockey has left the building =(

Met him at the AS game here in Mpls 10+ years back with a buddy. He was such a nice and gentle man. He will be missed.


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A sad day for Hockey. :(

RIP, Gordie.

I've been a Wings fan as long as I can remember, he was a great ambassador of the game. The Wings should re-think their new arena name, Gordie Howe Pavillion sounds much classier than Little Ceasars Arena.

RIP, Mr. Hockey, I'm glad you and Colleen are together again.

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http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...can%201_29.jpg

Some personal memories...
 

When I was a kid, I was fortunate enough to get tickets to a game in the Montreal Forum 3-4 times a year. I'd always go early to try and get some autographs, as you could walk around the Promenade before a game. In 1971, I had tickets to a Detroit game. Walking around at ice level, Gordie Howe was standing by the bench, talking to someone. I basically stood there with my $1 program from the game. He stopped his conversation, turned to me, and asked if I would like his autograph. I probably couldn't even answer, but I opened my program to the feature on him, and he signed, with an inscription.

Years later, at a local card show, I took the same program back and had him autograph the same page. He had a good chuckle on that one.

Four years ago, I was fortunate enough to have raised some money and play for a team in the touring charity event here in Calgary that supports Alzheimer's research and support, now called the Gordie Howe CARES Pro Am. It was the last year he showed up to the event, and was unfortunately struggling mightily. Our "Pro" was Dennis Polonich, who actually still plays in the men's league I'm in. Not to take this on another track, but if you never saw Polo play, and don't know the story of Polonich and Wilf Paiement, check this out this old Bleacher Report story.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...-brutal-attack

RIP Gordie Howe.

Living in the south I have only had the chance to meet a handful of hockey players and to the man they are the friendliest and least pretentious athletes I have ever met.

Of course the Paiment story is pretty tough though I seem to remember him as a decent guy. I subscribed to The Hockey News for about a decade mid 70's to mid 80's.

Losing two legends of my youth in less than a month, plus David Bowie, Glenn Frey and Prince in recent times. Sometimes getting older sucks. Then I realize that Howe played until he was 52. Not too shabby...

RIP Mr. Hockey, a true gentleman and the greatest of all time...

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...-52%20Howe.jpg

Perhaps the most gracious athlete that I've had the pleasure of meeting. He will be missed...

I don't have much hockey in my collection anymore. I've had this since I was 12. RIP MR HOCKEY.

What are the odds that two of the very top elite athletes of all time would die within a few days of each other? Whatever you think of Ali and Howe I think you would have to rank each within the top five of their respective sports, with Ali as high as number one in boxing, and Howe as high as number three in hockey. (Gretzky ranked him first but I think he was just being polite. In the same conversation, Howe ranked Orr first and Orr ranked Gretzky first.)

My dad took me to a game at Olympia some time in the 50s, and Howe was not playing due to an injury. But as we entered the stadium, there he was at the front gate, meeting and greeting the fans.
As I got older, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Howe on a few more occasions. Each time he treated me with as much respect as I had for him. A true gentleman, and great athlete.
True story as some of you Michiganders might already know. Howe and Kaline were good friends, and Kaline invited Howe to batting practice in Tiger stadium. Howe, the athlete he was, put a couple in the upper deck in left field. I am sure the BP pitchers took a lot off their pitches, but still a great accomplishment. Here is Howe at batting practice. He looks good in that old English "D".

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I heard a story, and I don't know if I should even repeat as I don't know if it is true or not, but allegedly Gordie Howe grabbed Mario Lemieux by the throat one time and told Mario, the fans have made you the wealthy man you are today after Mario refused to sign some autographs?

These are the only 2 Gordie Howe cards I own. I was recently thinking about getting another one, and especially one for my Beehives collection but don't know if that will be possible now?

An old ESPN commercial

https://www.facebook.com/DownwithDet...4158929336702/

Brian, many many thanks for posting that ESPN commercial. I just "Howe-oled!" Was that Keith Olbermann getting that oh-so-deserved close-up demonstration? What a hoot! Bravo! Bravo!:D

Thanks again. ---Brian Powell

Found out I had one! :o

Pretty happy noticing this one today as I finally got around to cataloging my Beehives. :D