Born: March 31, 1928 Place of Birth: Floral, Saskatchewan
Major Notes:
The New York Rangers in 1943 turned down Gordie Howe, who was 15 at the time, at a hockey try-out because he was too "scrawny"
The next year, Howe tried out with Detroit and he was assigned to their franchise team.
Gordie Howe joined the Red Wings in 1946 when he was only 18 years old.
A remarkable player with a wrist shot of over 100 mph, Howe captured the scoring championship six times.
He was voted the Most Valuable Player in the league six times as well.
Because of his longevity, he was able at one time to play on a professional WHA team with his two sons!
Howe was a player with both offensive and defensive skills coupled with great skating ability.
Some fans suggested Gordie Howe was sneaky in checking and he developed the nick name "Mr.Elbows".
He finished playing hockey at the age of 52; a record that probably will never be matched.
His teams won four Stanley Cups, emblematic of the league champions, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972..
Howe played a remarkable 32 seasons of professional hockey.
Gordie Howe made a contribution of hockey off the ice as well because, along with some other retirees, he was instrumental in
having fundamental changes made in the pensions paid to hockey players.
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