How Did Gordie Lee Affect Hockey

“Mr. Hockey” himself, also known as Gordie Howe, was arguably one of the greatest hockey players of all time. From growing up in the small town of Floral, Saskatchewan, to making his way to become an NHL Hockey Hall of Fame player, Howe has demonstrated a commitment to hockey throughout his entire life. He has displayed qualities during his career that will have an impact on many generations of Canadians to come. First of all, Howe had a successful career in hockey that inspires Canadian hockey players today. Secondly, Gordie was committed to hockey, as he continuously displayed his dedication to the game throughout his career. Finally, Howe became a legacy in the game of hockey, that will go on for generations, to become a future impact on

To start, Howe displayed a passion for hockey, that came natural to him from a young age, and continued into the start of his professional career. Despite growing up in the small town of Floral, Saskatchewan, just after the Great Depression, Howe discovered his love for the game by playing street hockey. He got his first pair of ice skates at the age of five when the neighbours sold an assorted collection of their belongings to his family to make extra money. He became devoted to the game, playing in all his spare time as a child, and had became an exceptional ice skater by the age of twelve. At fifteen, Howe had already been recognized by professional scouts, leading to him being invited to a New York Rangers’ tryout camp. Despite this early success, he returned home early, making the director unimpressed; the director claimed Howe was too awkward because of his large, muscular size, and would not make it to the NHL. Despite this rejection by the Rangers, he continued to work hard to make a tryout with the Detroit Red Wings where his skills impressed the management. Jack Adams, coach and general manager of the team, signed him to a contract, and at seventeen Howe played on a Red Wings’ minor league team in Nebraska, and he was given a chance to play in the major leagues the next year. In 1946, Howe made the Red Wings, playing his first game where he scored a goal, skating

Firstly, Howe’s legacy has been well represented in the media during his hockey career, an undoubtable mark on society. On top of the nickname “Mr. Hockey,” and being the person who inspired the “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” (in which someone scores a goal, gets an assist, and gets in a fight in one game), Howe has been represented even more in pop culture. Such as being included in an episode of the TV series The Simpsons, and having his number nine Red Wings jersey featured in the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), and the list goes on. Moreover, in 1963, Bob Davies, a Canadian singer, described Howe as “the greatest of them all,” in his hit song, “Gordie Howe.” Large statues of him are displayed in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, inside the Red Wings’ Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, and in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Gordie Howe became an international legend in the game of hockey, that has continued to be represented in the media over time. Also, hockey has a connection to the Howe family, that will continue the legacy for many years to come. Gordie Howe’s brother Vic Howe, also played in the NHL with N.Y. Rangers from the 1950-54 seasons. In 1973, when Gordie Howe returned to the WHA to play with the Houston Aeros, he also played alongside his sons Mark and Marty Howe. This was put together by his wife Colleen Howe who even became an agent for Gordie Howe during his career.