Mr. Hockey (1928-2016)
June 10, 2016 7:29 AM Subscribe
Hockey legend Gordie Howe has died. In Gordie's 5 decade career he set records for most seasons and games played as well as #2 for all time career goals.
.
He was a hero to all of us growing up in Michigan
posted by dabug at 7:35 AM on June 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
He was a hero to all of us growing up in Michigan
posted by dabug at 7:35 AM on June 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
.
posted by mikelieman at 7:36 AM on June 10, 2016
posted by mikelieman at 7:36 AM on June 10, 2016
.
posted by JoeXIII007 at 7:36 AM on June 10, 2016
posted by JoeXIII007 at 7:36 AM on June 10, 2016
He and Edna Krabappel can finally be together.
.
posted by bondcliff at 7:37 AM on June 10, 2016 [18 favorites]
.
posted by bondcliff at 7:37 AM on June 10, 2016 [18 favorites]
8F16 - February 13, 1992 - Bart the Lover
posted by mikelieman at 7:38 AM on June 10, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by mikelieman at 7:38 AM on June 10, 2016 [6 favorites]
.
Let's hear it for an all-around great player. He could play all aspects of the game, enough so that he was the eponym for an all around good performance, The Gordie Howe Hat Trick --- in which a player scores a goal, records an assist, and gets in a fight in one game.
Sweet dreams, number 88.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 7:38 AM on June 10, 2016 [8 favorites]
Let's hear it for an all-around great player. He could play all aspects of the game, enough so that he was the eponym for an all around good performance, The Gordie Howe Hat Trick --- in which a player scores a goal, records an assist, and gets in a fight in one game.
Sweet dreams, number 88.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 7:38 AM on June 10, 2016 [8 favorites]
🏒
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:39 AM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:39 AM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
.
(I always loved that The Mighty Ducks named Gordon Bombay after Howe and said he wore number 9 as a kid.)
posted by sallybrown at 7:40 AM on June 10, 2016
(I always loved that The Mighty Ducks named Gordon Bombay after Howe and said he wore number 9 as a kid.)
posted by sallybrown at 7:40 AM on June 10, 2016
🐙
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:40 AM on June 10, 2016 [9 favorites]
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:40 AM on June 10, 2016 [9 favorites]
.
posted by evilangela at 7:43 AM on June 10, 2016
posted by evilangela at 7:43 AM on June 10, 2016
\_
posted by Gelatin at 7:46 AM on June 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Gelatin at 7:46 AM on June 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
\_
posted by lineofsight at 7:51 AM on June 10, 2016
posted by lineofsight at 7:51 AM on June 10, 2016
.
posted by dudemanlives at 7:55 AM on June 10, 2016
posted by dudemanlives at 7:55 AM on June 10, 2016
.
He was something else alright, his consistency as a player was amazing, he even had a 44 goal season for Detroit when he was in his early 40s.
Here's the CBC obituary, which seems appropriate for someone known as Mr Hockey.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 7:57 AM on June 10, 2016
He was something else alright, his consistency as a player was amazing, he even had a 44 goal season for Detroit when he was in his early 40s.
Here's the CBC obituary, which seems appropriate for someone known as Mr Hockey.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 7:57 AM on June 10, 2016
He was built like a brick shithouse.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:59 AM on June 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:59 AM on June 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
At first I felt bad this morning that my knowledge of Howe was limited to "Woodrow's face on The Simpsons" and "go to answer for any pre-1980 hockey trivia" but actually I think that's an amazing legacy.
.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 8:01 AM on June 10, 2016 [5 favorites]
.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 8:01 AM on June 10, 2016 [5 favorites]
.
I was delighted when, as an early hockey fan, I learned about the "Gordie Howe hatrick" (one goal, one assist, and one fight). He was one of a kind.
Also, wasn't Cameron wearing his jersey in Ferris Bueller?
posted by orrnyereg at 8:10 AM on June 10, 2016
I was delighted when, as an early hockey fan, I learned about the "Gordie Howe hatrick" (one goal, one assist, and one fight). He was one of a kind.
Also, wasn't Cameron wearing his jersey in Ferris Bueller?
posted by orrnyereg at 8:10 AM on June 10, 2016
Howe was a demigod of hockey. For kids growing up in the '70s (at least in the U.S. rust belt), he was to hockey what Babe Ruth must have been to baseball for kids growing up in the 1930s: such a famous, dominating presence that even non-sports fans knew his name and why.
posted by ardgedee at 8:16 AM on June 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by ardgedee at 8:16 AM on June 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
Cameron was wearing a Howe jersey, which I always found odd. Why isn't this Chicago kid wearing a Bobby Hull jersey? Gordie Howe was so good that he transcended petty rivalries such as these.
posted by enjoymoreradio at 8:26 AM on June 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by enjoymoreradio at 8:26 AM on June 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
.
Cameron was wearing a Howe jersey, which I always found odd. Why isn't this Chicago kid wearing a Bobby Hull jersey?
Because John Hughes grew up in Michigan and was a huge Red Wings fan, that's why.
posted by praemunire at 8:44 AM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Cameron was wearing a Howe jersey, which I always found odd. Why isn't this Chicago kid wearing a Bobby Hull jersey?
Because John Hughes grew up in Michigan and was a huge Red Wings fan, that's why.
posted by praemunire at 8:44 AM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
.
2016 has moved on from musicians and actors and literary figures and is now taking out sports heroes.
It's like someone is playing a demented cosmic game of Trivial Pursuit.
posted by JohnFromGR at 8:44 AM on June 10, 2016 [7 favorites]
2016 has moved on from musicians and actors and literary figures and is now taking out sports heroes.
It's like someone is playing a demented cosmic game of Trivial Pursuit.
posted by JohnFromGR at 8:44 AM on June 10, 2016 [7 favorites]
.
"This is SportsCenter" (w/Keith Olbermann(!))
posted by the painkiller at 8:52 AM on June 10, 2016 [7 favorites]
"This is SportsCenter" (w/Keith Olbermann(!))
posted by the painkiller at 8:52 AM on June 10, 2016 [7 favorites]
Non-Trivial Pursuit. Please.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 8:58 AM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 8:58 AM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
I was lucky enough to see Mr. Hockey play an exhibition game wearing a Wings sweater; Red Wings alumni vs. MSU Spartans alumni. Alex Delvecchio was on the ice too. This would have been something like 14-15 years ago now. It was a hell of an entertaining game - obviously friendly, but damn the old man still had some moves in him. He could still throw a hip check with the best of them.
It was strange. My grandpa wore #9 as well, "Same as Howe" he always said. He would have been a contemporary player, could even have been on the team with Gordie, but he turned them down - too little pay at the time, and Grandpa has always maintained that the only reason they wanted him was because "All the good players were away at war" (my aunt disagrees!)
Gordie has been a hero for 3 generations in my family. That's saying something. God damn it... this news sucks. Godspeed, #9. (It's not the end, see, he just got called up to a higher level team...)
posted by caution live frogs at 9:08 AM on June 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
It was strange. My grandpa wore #9 as well, "Same as Howe" he always said. He would have been a contemporary player, could even have been on the team with Gordie, but he turned them down - too little pay at the time, and Grandpa has always maintained that the only reason they wanted him was because "All the good players were away at war" (my aunt disagrees!)
Gordie has been a hero for 3 generations in my family. That's saying something. God damn it... this news sucks. Godspeed, #9. (It's not the end, see, he just got called up to a higher level team...)
posted by caution live frogs at 9:08 AM on June 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
_/
posted by saturday_morning at 9:28 AM on June 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by saturday_morning at 9:28 AM on June 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
As someone who grew up in the Gretzky era, Gordie Howe never seemed like a real person to me. He was godlike. It's hard to comprehend that he died, because isn't he immortal?
There was a great story in Gretzky's autobiography. Apparently Wayne had a bunch of duplicate keys made to his apartment so he could pass them out, ostensibly to girls he met (or so he claimed). When he got married, he had to scramble to get them all back, and at the wedding, he had found all but one. The last one was the one he gave to Gordie Howe, who teased him about it. I always found that amusing.
R.I.P.
posted by kevinbelt at 9:47 AM on June 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
There was a great story in Gretzky's autobiography. Apparently Wayne had a bunch of duplicate keys made to his apartment so he could pass them out, ostensibly to girls he met (or so he claimed). When he got married, he had to scramble to get them all back, and at the wedding, he had found all but one. The last one was the one he gave to Gordie Howe, who teased him about it. I always found that amusing.
R.I.P.
posted by kevinbelt at 9:47 AM on June 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
I got Gordie Howe's autograph when I was 9. They had a signing at the Don Mills Plaza in Toronto, and I lined up with a bunch of other kids to get his signed autograph on a picture. I remember being too nervous to speak to him.
He was such an extraordinary athlete that he was able to be productive in the NHL at the age of 51. I can't imagine that ever happening again.
.
posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 9:52 AM on June 10, 2016
He was such an extraordinary athlete that he was able to be productive in the NHL at the age of 51. I can't imagine that ever happening again.
.
posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 9:52 AM on June 10, 2016
\_
posted by chrispy108 at 10:14 AM on June 10, 2016
posted by chrispy108 at 10:14 AM on June 10, 2016
Video of Stompin' Tom (RIP) classic The Hockey Song featuring a brief Gordie appearance--a fitting musical tribute for Mr. Hockey.
\_
.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:15 AM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
\_
.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:15 AM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
All the pictures of hockey players without helmets are jarring. Times sure have changed.
.
posted by tommasz at 10:18 AM on June 10, 2016
.
posted by tommasz at 10:18 AM on June 10, 2016
Re: Ferris Bueller, I always though it was a perfect detail that Chicagoan Cameron rocked a Red Wings sweater. It just screams clueless outsider.
posted by Sauce Trough at 10:39 AM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Sauce Trough at 10:39 AM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescat in pace.
posted by ob1quixote at 10:44 AM on June 10, 2016
posted by ob1quixote at 10:44 AM on June 10, 2016
after the turn of the century, the humorous Howe would walk around Joe Louis Arena in Detroit carrying around a teacup poodle named Rocket.
The missing context is that he named the dog just to mess with Maurice
posted by zamboni at 10:51 AM on June 10, 2016
The missing context is that he named the dog just to mess with Maurice
RocketRichard.
posted by zamboni at 10:51 AM on June 10, 2016
Cameron was wearing a Howe jersey, which I always found odd. Why isn't this Chicago kid wearing a Bobby Hull jersey?
My guess is his dad is a big Hawks fan and the Wings sweater is a not-too-subtle "fuck you!".
posted by rocket88 at 11:18 AM on June 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
My guess is his dad is a big Hawks fan and the Wings sweater is a not-too-subtle "fuck you!".
posted by rocket88 at 11:18 AM on June 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
As well as being one of the greats, he had one of the greatest hockey names ever. I am unable to pronounce it without a Canadian accent.
.
posted by lumpenprole at 11:27 AM on June 10, 2016
.
posted by lumpenprole at 11:27 AM on June 10, 2016
"Cameron was wearing a Howe jersey, which I always found odd. Why isn't this Chicago kid wearing a Bobby Hull jersey?
My guess is his dad is a big Hawks fan and the Wings sweater is a not-too-subtle 'fuck you!'."
I always interpreted it as showing his awareness of the world outside the Chicago area, and his feelings of limitation and alienation because no one else around him has such an awareness. There's a whole big world out there, but all anybody can see is this provincial bubble. He's the type of kid who's better suited to going to college and getting away from home and finding out what's right for him, rather than just going along with everyone else. Contrast it to Clark Griswold, who has his own Hawks jersey, or Wayne and Garth, who eat at Stan Mikita's doughnut shop. They're more of the everyman-buffoon character, as opposed to the more intelligent and introspective Cameron.
posted by kevinbelt at 12:45 PM on June 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
My guess is his dad is a big Hawks fan and the Wings sweater is a not-too-subtle 'fuck you!'."
I always interpreted it as showing his awareness of the world outside the Chicago area, and his feelings of limitation and alienation because no one else around him has such an awareness. There's a whole big world out there, but all anybody can see is this provincial bubble. He's the type of kid who's better suited to going to college and getting away from home and finding out what's right for him, rather than just going along with everyone else. Contrast it to Clark Griswold, who has his own Hawks jersey, or Wayne and Garth, who eat at Stan Mikita's doughnut shop. They're more of the everyman-buffoon character, as opposed to the more intelligent and introspective Cameron.
posted by kevinbelt at 12:45 PM on June 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
They're more of the everyman-buffoon character, as opposed to the more intelligent and introspective Cameron.
I'm pretty sure a Red Wings jersey is not a character sign of deep intelligence. Mostly rebellion against the locals. The Red Wings are widely despised both in Northern (Blackhawks Land) and Southern (Blues Territory) Illinois.
I always took his wearing the jersey as a snobby fuck "what the locals like."
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 1:19 PM on June 10, 2016
I'm pretty sure a Red Wings jersey is not a character sign of deep intelligence. Mostly rebellion against the locals. The Red Wings are widely despised both in Northern (Blackhawks Land) and Southern (Blues Territory) Illinois.
I always took his wearing the jersey as a snobby fuck "what the locals like."
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 1:19 PM on June 10, 2016
(Last time I went to Chicago I wore my Wings sweater. Because.)
posted by caution live frogs at 1:20 PM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by caution live frogs at 1:20 PM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
"I'm pretty sure a Red Wings jersey is not a character sign of deep intelligence. Mostly rebellion against the locals."
I'm probably getting too much into this tangent, but it's fun, so oh well. To clarify: I didn't mean to imply that Cameron is intelligent because he's a Wings fan (eeek) or a Howe fan. What I'm saying is that I think his intelligence and introspection is the reason for the snobbery you noted. He feels like he's better than them because he's a smart kid who's going to get out of the Chicago suburbs, while they're going to spend their whole lives there, and the Howe jersey is a demonstration of his perceived cosmopolitan-ness.
posted by kevinbelt at 1:38 PM on June 10, 2016
I'm probably getting too much into this tangent, but it's fun, so oh well. To clarify: I didn't mean to imply that Cameron is intelligent because he's a Wings fan (eeek) or a Howe fan. What I'm saying is that I think his intelligence and introspection is the reason for the snobbery you noted. He feels like he's better than them because he's a smart kid who's going to get out of the Chicago suburbs, while they're going to spend their whole lives there, and the Howe jersey is a demonstration of his perceived cosmopolitan-ness.
posted by kevinbelt at 1:38 PM on June 10, 2016
The World Famous, I will hold your beer.
RIP, Mr Howe.
posted by shiny blue object at 4:12 PM on June 10, 2016
RIP, Mr Howe.
posted by shiny blue object at 4:12 PM on June 10, 2016
As per Cameron's jersey, at that point (1986) Detroit were less the Red Wings and more the Dead Things. Over 30 years since their last Stanley Cup win (1955), 20 years since their last Stanley Cup finals appearance, only one playoff series win (1978) in the previous two decades, 13 years since their last winning season. And the Stevie Y era would only begin in earnest a year later. So Cameron's less of a discerning hockey connoisseur and more an ironic loser. Mind you, the Hawks of that were only slightly less unimpressive - frequent regular-season champions of the Norris (a.k.a Bore-us or Snore-us) Division, perennial playoff flops.
But Gordie - old when I was young, but still I grew up in an era of Hull, Mikita, Beliveau, Orr, Esposito (x 2), but there was only one Mr. Hockey. And he passed on my 54th birthday (5+4 = 9).
. (a very small puck)
Or more to the point:
< > (elbows!)
P.S. Gordie Howe is the Greatest of Them All (1963)
posted by hangashore at 5:01 PM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
But Gordie - old when I was young, but still I grew up in an era of Hull, Mikita, Beliveau, Orr, Esposito (x 2), but there was only one Mr. Hockey. And he passed on my 54th birthday (5+4 = 9).
. (a very small puck)
Or more to the point:
< > (elbows!)
P.S. Gordie Howe is the Greatest of Them All (1963)
posted by hangashore at 5:01 PM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
One line, three Hall of Famers: Gordie Howe, Mark Howe and Wayne Gretzky for WHA All-Stars vs. Moscow Dynamo, 1979.
Fierce rivals, total class: Gordie Howe pays tribute to Jean Beliveau, who returns the compliments, 2009.
posted by hangashore at 5:30 PM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Fierce rivals, total class: Gordie Howe pays tribute to Jean Beliveau, who returns the compliments, 2009.
posted by hangashore at 5:30 PM on June 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Gordie Howe lived in Glastonbury, CT for a while, and from 1980-1984 owned Gordie's Place, a restaurant filled with hockey memorabilia. (A lot of banquet/wedding/restaurant-review sites don't seem to be aware it's been closed for 32 years.) The food: sit-down cloth-napkin suburban fare; a good place to bring your high-school date.
The Hartford Whalers had just joined the NHL; Mr. Howe had just retired from the team and was active in town functions. A bunch of us teens were volunteering for $POLITICAL_PARTY and got to do a meet and greet. He's the most famous person I've met. The years 1979-1987 were definitely peak hockey for the Hartford area.
In Wethersfield, the Silas Deane Highway, formerly Route 9 (Gordie Howe's number) is now Route 99 (Wayne Gretzky). Coincidence? Well... yeah. That was 1968 :-)
Rest in peace, Mr. Howe.
posted by kurumi at 7:39 PM on June 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
The Hartford Whalers had just joined the NHL; Mr. Howe had just retired from the team and was active in town functions. A bunch of us teens were volunteering for $POLITICAL_PARTY and got to do a meet and greet. He's the most famous person I've met. The years 1979-1987 were definitely peak hockey for the Hartford area.
In Wethersfield, the Silas Deane Highway, formerly Route 9 (Gordie Howe's number) is now Route 99 (Wayne Gretzky). Coincidence? Well... yeah. That was 1968 :-)
Rest in peace, Mr. Howe.
posted by kurumi at 7:39 PM on June 10, 2016 [2 favorites]
« Older Fandom Explained | Tony Awards That Let Everyone In on the Joke Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by wonton endangerment at 7:33 AM on June 10, 2016