My old law firm had an event organized by a client a couple of years before I started there. Gordie was a guest celebrity. One of the auction items was a puck that Gordie signed (not a game puck or anything - just a signed puck). A lawyer at the firm was a huge Red Wings fan and paid a large sum for this puck.
The next day the client comes to the office with Gordie and a big bucket of pucks that he just signed and gave away to whoever was in the lunch room. One woman lawyer who was from England said to the Red Wings fan who'd paid all that money, "do you think I should get a puck for my son - I think that fellow is some sort of sports figure". The guy was fuming by the end of lunch.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to GioforPM For This Useful Post:
I didn't see Howe play live, other than the stint with the Whalers in the early eighties. His strength, competitiveness and nastiness are legendary, but I recall one particular highlight clip in his prime which stuck with me. He executed a "savardian" spinorama, likely 20 years before Savard even played in the NHL. Awesome skill, to go along with that toughness.
Just for clarification it was Serge Savard who was first known for the Savardian Spinorama and not Denis Savard.
RIP Gordie Howe and I love reading these old stories.
Just for clarification it was Serge Savard who was first known for the Savardian Spinorama and not Denis Savard.
RIP Gordie Howe and I love reading these old stories.
Really? I never would have thought that.
__________________
From HFBoard oiler fan, in analyzing MacT's management:
O.K. there has been a lot of talk on whether or not MacTavish has actually done a good job for us, most fans on this board are very basic in their analysis and I feel would change their opinion entirely if the team was successful.
When I was a kid my dad volunteered at Craig Simpson charity softball game. Gordie Howe was there every year I believe. He was the nicest guy to all the kids there (well he was nice to everyone) and also kudos to him for writing all over my brother's face in a joking manner when we for an autograph.
What a sad day. Probably the most legendary figure in the history of hockey. To me the fact he lived this long after some of the stuff he went through the past couple of years to me is a miracle. There isn't a hockey fan around who hasn't been influenced him in some way.
Thank you Mr. Hockey. You are a true legend and your memory will live forever.
The NHL Foundation Player Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) player "who applies the core values of (ice) hockey—commitment, perseverance and teamwork—to enrich the lives of people in his community."
That night, he stood outside the Forum signing the very autograph his sister-in-law had chosen for him so many years back. His son and teammates were off to Crescent Street to celebrate the tie. You cannot imagine what it does for an expansion team to get a tie its first time into the Forum. It was cold, and Gordie's hair was wet. A young boy handed him a program, and Howe signed it over the picture of his son.
"That's not you," the boy protested.
"No, but that's my work."
Howe has always been good with children. He chides and kids remorselessly, and who can guess what must go through their minds? They worship him. He takes a giant hand now, and musses up the boy's hair, a great blond shock. "Look at you with all that hair, and me with so little. That's not very fair."
The boy blushes. Ah, that he, and his hair, might endure so well.
