Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. From 1946 to 1980, Howe played twenty-six seasons in the National Hockey League and six seasons in the World Hockey Association; his first twenty-three seasons were spent with the Detroit Red Wings...
Gordie's wife Colleen has suffered since 2000 from Pick's Disease, a degenerative neurological disorder that causes dementia. The family publicly announced her illness in 2002.
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He was awarded the O.C. (Officer of the Order of Canada) on June 25, 1971 for his services to hockey.
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Second son, Mark Howe, born at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital. [May 1955]
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Part owner of the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League
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Played with his two sons, Marty and Mark, with the Hoston Aeros (1973-1977) and Hartford Whalers (1977-1979) of the World Hockey Association. He also played with his sons his last year in the NHL for the 1979-1980 season when the Whalers merged with the league.
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Played for the Detroit Red Wings (1946-1971) and Hartford Whalers (1979-1980).
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Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.
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In 1950, he almost had his career and life ended when he crashed head first into the boards during the playoffs.
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Art Ross Trophy (1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1963). First All-Star Team Right Wing (1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970). Hart Memorial Trophy (1952, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963). Lester Patrick Trophy (1967). Second All-Star Team Right Wing (1949, 1950, 1956, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1967).
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Won 4 Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings (1950, 1952, 1954, 1955); he played for them from 1946 - 1971.
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Has had his name and nickname, as well as his wife's nickname, Mrs. Hockey, registered trademarks.
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A member of 11 different halls of fame.
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Wife Colleen is the founder of the Detroit Junior Red Wings, the first junior hockey team in the U.S.
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First child, Marty Gordon Howe, was born. [February 1954]
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Wore his famous #9 sweater for the first time, during a 5-2 Red Wing victory at Chicago. [October 1947]
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Third child, Cathleen Jill Howe, born at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital. [March 1959]
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Son Murray Albert Howe was born. [September 1960]
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Face is used by Bart Simpson as part of a practical joke he pulls on Mrs. Krabapple in The Simpsons (1989) episode "Bart the Lover".
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Played in a game for the Detroit Vipers at the Palace of Auburn Hills making him the only player to play in six decades. [October 1997]