Ever hear that electric guitar solo in a rock'n roll power anthem and get chills all over.  Gordie Howe is that player of the NHL that does for that me.   Not only can I boast that the Red Wings is  the greatest franchise in the "New NHL" but I can write with all that I have that the Red Wings have been blessed with the "MR. Hockey."  So lets'  get carried away with Red Wings legend Gordie Howe.

He was born in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.  In a town in Saskatchewan by the name of Floral.  He would at a young age take a tennis ball and hit it against the wall with hockey stick so he could learn puck control; a bouncing tennis ball controlled with wooden hockey stick is hard to do I tried it.  Howe succeeded as is already known at being one of the most prolific puck carriers the NHL has ever seen and known.  He was on a scoring line in Detroit with Ted Lindsay and Sid Abel called "the Production Line." And it still is the production line any coach envies and covets to this day.  Sid Abel, Ted Lindsay, and Gordie Howe are all hall of fame leaders.  What a rarity that they produced memorable highlights against original six teams together.  And painted every original six town red.

I recommend the picture in Gordie Howe's Hall of Fame picture gallery of him kneeling on the ice as a knight would, in front of the goal tender Terry Sawchuk.  That picture says one thing to me; Howe could have more career goals and stats but he sacrificed them "noblesse noblige" to play a defensive style of forward.  That style is played in Detroit and around the NHL to this day.  Without it success is few and far between.

Gordie Howe for years led the NHL in scoring, game winning goals, and career scoring.  On the career points list he is second only to Wayne Gretzky.  Wayne idolized the Red Wing Gordie Howe.  Gordie Howe is still alive and so is Ted Lindsay.  They go to  the Joe Louis Arena and watch games.

I wanted to be at Olympia watching them but could not.  I was born in 1971.  I went to games but never was able to watch Howe punch his way to sports supremacy at Olympia.

 Howe coached the Red Wings and was captain as a player.  He is a leader that has given so much to the National Hockey League.  He can still skate and shoot the puck without a helmet and I do not doubt that the physical presence of Howe on this ice today would  spark respect and fear in the 30 team NHL.  There is a saying around the rinks of "keep your heads up." If Howe was on the ice and remembered a cheap shot he would most of the time hit back a game or two later.  A "Gordie Howe hat trick"; two goals plus one fight.

Gordie Howe "Mr. Hockey" born March 31, 1928. Played 33 professional seasons 1945-1997.

For stats and awards and pictures of this hockey icon,

www.hhof.com