I was born and raised in Southern Ontario and played most of my
minor hockey in a village southwest of London called Mount Brydges. At the time
it’s population was 780 people. Our fathers and coaches had to drive us or carpool us to the
next town where they had an arena. We were a part of the Strathroy hockey program. All we had in Mount Brydges were hoses and backyards.
Before the dawn of the Junior Hockey Draft, the original six NHL teams had protected territories. Every player with dreams of a pro career was already spoken for and we were protected by the Detroit Red Wings. Mount Brydges and Strathroy were in Red Wing territory. That was in the late 1950’s.
Before the dawn of the Junior Hockey Draft, the original six NHL teams had protected territories. Every player with dreams of a pro career was already spoken for and we were protected by the Detroit Red Wings. Mount Brydges and Strathroy were in Red Wing territory. That was in the late 1950’s.
I collected hockey cards before my Dad bought our first TV
There
were two players you just had to have, Gordie Howe and Rocket Richard. It didn't matter if you were a fan of the Red Wings or the Canadians, you knew all about greatness. They
were the pinnacle of schoolboy collecting back then.
The card to the right is from a set collected in 1960. It isn't in great shape unfortunately, but I have it. Some of Howe's earlier cards are valued in the thousands of dollars. The card considered his rookie, can sell for upwards of $10,000.
The card to the right is from a set collected in 1960. It isn't in great shape unfortunately, but I have it. Some of Howe's earlier cards are valued in the thousands of dollars. The card considered his rookie, can sell for upwards of $10,000.
Hockey Night in Canada
It was 1955 on a Saturday. I
was 7. My Dad traded our train set and layout for a TV. He let me stay up late to watch the game with him. It was the
Toronto Maple Leafs against the Detroit Red Wings with all the Red Wing greats,
Gordie Howe, Glenn Hall, Red Kelly, Alex Delvecchio, Ted Lindsay and more.
So you see, the Red Wings were some of my earliest hockey memories, although they were definitely not my team. My father cheered for the Leafs and after a brief flirtation with the Montreal Canadians, I became a Leaf fan too. The first NHL games I witnessed in person were with my father in the standing room section at the top of Maple Leaf Gardens in downtown Toronto. That was the early 1960’s.
So you see, the Red Wings were some of my earliest hockey memories, although they were definitely not my team. My father cheered for the Leafs and after a brief flirtation with the Montreal Canadians, I became a Leaf fan too. The first NHL games I witnessed in person were with my father in the standing room section at the top of Maple Leaf Gardens in downtown Toronto. That was the early 1960’s.
Gordie Howe would come into my life three more
times
The first was the summer of 1965. My family had moved from Toronto
to Vancouver. I had a part-time job pumping gas at an Esso station on the west
side of Vancouver.
One night a grey Chevy Impala convertible pulled into the lot, top down. There was a couple in the front seat and a couple in the back. I recognized Gordie Howe instantly. Once the tank was full, I went to the driver to collect the money, turned to look at the couple in the back and said, you’re Gordie Howe! He said, “no I’m not and laughed”. It was indeed Gordie and his wife Colleen.
One night a grey Chevy Impala convertible pulled into the lot, top down. There was a couple in the front seat and a couple in the back. I recognized Gordie Howe instantly. Once the tank was full, I went to the driver to collect the money, turned to look at the couple in the back and said, you’re Gordie Howe! He said, “no I’m not and laughed”. It was indeed Gordie and his wife Colleen.
The next time was 1969
I had my first job in radio at CKLG Vancouver. The
General Manager of the station was well connected and had managed to arrange for
Gordie Howe to be a guest at his son’s minor hockey wrap-up party. He
asked me if I wanted to interview Number 9. It was a Saturday afternoon. I
drove to the GM’s house. My first career interview was about to be the
legendary Gordie Howe. He was gracious and patient with the rookie reporter as
I fought back my nerves to ask him questions. I have no idea what I
said or what he said.
Fast forward to March of 2008
Terrie and I were in
Vancouver staying at the Westin Bayshore next to Stanley Park. I was strolling
through the lobby and there was Gordie Howe talking to a few people. Turns out
he was on the West Coast to celebrate his birthday. As part owner of the Vancouver Giants Junior Hockey Team, they had invited the city to a game to
sing Happy Birthday to Gordie. I approached him, only to be stopped by his son
Marty who said, Mr. Howe is not signing autographs. I explained that I just
wanted to say hello. When it came my turn, I told Gordie about my first career
interview. He smiled, then laughed and said, “did I hurt you”?
Floral Saskatchewan
The City of Saskatoon honoured Mr. Hockey by naming a park
after him as well as an outdoor stadium. There is also a bronze statue of Number 9 outside the Saskatoon Arena, home of the Saskatoon Blades Junior Hockey Club. Howe was noted for his sharp elbows throughout his career.
The sculptor captured the man perfectly
The sculptor captured the man perfectly
He was known for the Gordie Howe Hat Trick, a goal, an assist and a fight. But, here's the thing about legends. Sometimes the aura of the person supercedes the real story. He apparently only did it twice in his lengthy NHL career. Both of Gordie Howe's Gordie Howe Hat Tricks happened in the 1950's and both were against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The all time leader in this tough SOB category is Brendan Shanahan.
Penticton BC's Larry Lund was Gordie Howe's center with the Houston Aeros in the World Hockey Association. They are friends to this day. In Larry's words, Gordie Howe is a great person with an incredible attitude. Nice to hear about someone idolized by so many for so long.
PS Click on the pictures for more.
