Hockey HOFer GORDIE HOWE, who was "known as 'Mr. Hockey' for his enduring skills," died Friday at the age of 88, according to Helene Elliott of the L.A. TIMES. Howe "suffered a massive stroke" in October '14 and had "rallied only to be felled by several subsequent strokes that robbed him of his speech and confined him to bed." A "longtime ambassador for the game, Howe had endured many health problems the last few years." Howe was a six-time MVP and currently ranks fourth all-time in NHL points scored (LATIMES.com, 6/10). USA TODAY's Kevin Allen notes Howe also had "been diagnosed with dementia" in '12. NBC's MIKE EMRICK said that Howe "did as much for the NHL as an ambassador as he did on the ice, where he was the second-leading goal scorer in league history." Emrick: "What he did for the sport in the U.S. -- during its several eras of growth -- was to epitomize the humility and friendliness of hockey athletes. People came up to Gordie Howe because they knew they could. And they would walk away with a smile on their face, just like they expected to" (USATODAY.com, 6/10). Hockey HOFer WAYNE GRETZKY said, "What he did for the game of hockey and the passion and spirit he played the game with, was just amazing." ESPN.com's Craig Custance writes Howe's "ability to create his own room with his ferocious style of play defined him on the ice," and his "class and humility defined him off it" (ESPN.com, 6/10). Detroit Free Press columnist MITCH ALBOM noted the Red Wings' new Little Caesars Arena is set to open in ’17 and suggested the team can do “something unique ... to permanently honor Gordie Howe’s memory.” Howe already has a “bridge and a street named after him," and Albom said, "They’d have to come up with something really big, but I think the ILLITCHES the Red Wings will do something like that” (NHL Network, 6/10).
PUBLIC PERSONA: In Detroit, Bill McGraw writes Howe was an “extraordinarily public person who encountered thousands of people over the years.” Many of his public appearances were “organized by his late wife, COLLEEN, who carved out a groundbreaking role for herself as Gordie's agent, promoter and business partner” (FREEP.com, 6/10). The L.A. TIMES' Elliott notes with Colleen’s “guidance, Gordie became active as a charity fundraiser and a commercial pitchman” (LATIMES.com, 6/10). Albom noted Howe “was never less than gracious or polite." Albom: "He defined that kind of humility that comes rarely in other sports but in hockey it’s kind of normal." Announcer DARREN PANG said Howe was a “man amongst the people, and such a phenomenal representative of the great game of hockey” (NHL Network, 6/10).
BUSINESS LEGACY: In Detroit, Gregg Krupa notes Hockey HOFer TED LINDSAY for two years in the late '50s "secretly and meticulously tried to form a players’ union." Howe’s eventual decision "not to participate helped thwart the effort." Howe prior to his death said, "Looking back, it’s easy to say now that we should have shown more resolve when the owners tried to crack us. I also accept that the situation might have turned out differently, if I had taken on a larger leadership role" (DETROITNEWS.com, 6/10).
LIFTING THE WHA: In Houston, Greg Rajan notes Howe came out of retirement in '73 and played four seasons for the WHA Houston Aeros, where he helped the team "become a big box-office success." The Aeros "even outdrew the Rockets at the time and moved to the Summit in 1975" (CHRON.com, 6/10). In Hartford, Paul Doyle notes Howe, along with sons MARK and MARTY, left the Aeros for the New England Whalers in '77 and was "viewed as a cornerstone to the merger" between the NHL and WHA. The Whales "were a struggling ... franchise still carving out a niche in Central Connecticut" when the Howes arrived. For a city “starving for a sports identity” the signing of the "greatest player in the history of hockey was met [with] a collective gasp.” The Whalers suddenly “were relevant" (COURANT.com, 6/10).
