SASKATCHEWAN — There are few athletes in history who embody the province they come from, but Gordie Howe was one of them. Saskatchewan, through and through.
He was simply Mr. Hockey.
Gordie Howe was born in Floral, Sask., March 31, 1928.
He played professional hockey from 1946 to 1980, with 26 seasons in the NHL, and six seasons in the WHA, or World Hockey Association. His first 25 seasons were all in the crimson and white of the Detroit Red Wings.
Howe was named one of the NHL’s best 100 players of all time. Even after he retired the first time in 1971, Howe still had a passion for the game. He was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, and the Hockey Hall of Fame, only to come out of retirement to play with his sons in the WHA in Houston. He did finally retire in 1980.
The Gordie Howe Hat Trick was named for him, that’s a goal, an assist and a fight in the same game. Ironically, he only achieved that twice in his career.
Gordie Howe died June 10, 2016.
Learn more about 100 Years of CKRM at 620ckrm.com.
100 Years of Saskatchewan History
This article is part of a series that celebrates both the history of Saskatchewan and the 100th anniversary of one of Saskatchewan's most storied radio stations. For more key moments from the last 100 years, visit the CKRM timeline.
