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• Also known as "Mr. Hockey," Gordie Howe is a retired Hall of Fame hockey player.

  On March 6, 2009, Howe's wife of 56 years, Colleen, passed away at the age of 76.NHL.com: Colleen Howe Passes Away at 76

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: March 31, 1928
  2. Most decades played professional hockey: Six
  3. Won league MVP six times
  4. Holds nine hockey records
  5. Won four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings
  6. Height: 6'0"
  7. Weight: 205 lbs
  8. Years pro: 32

• Gordie Howe Hat Trick

  • Score a goal
  • Get an assist
  • Get into a fight

• Early Career

  Howe began his professional career by joining the Omaha Knights in the United States Hockey League in 1945. He joined the Detroit Red Wings in 1946.

• Production Line

  Under coach Jack Adams, Howe joined Sid Abel and Ted Lindsay on "The Production Line," leading the team to four Stanley Cup Championships over a six year period, starting in 1949.

• Late Years in Detroit

  Howe continued with the Red Wings for a total of 25 consecutive seasons, earning numerous awards. He earned the Art Ross Memorial Trophy six times, finishing the season with the most points and the Hart Memorial Trophy, for the league MVP six times as well. In 1967, he was given the Lester Patrick Trophy, for his outstanding service to U.S. hockey. Following the 1970-1971 season, Howe announced his retirement from the league.

• Life After Retirement

  Following his retirement, Howe continued with the Red Wings in a management position off-ice. In 1973, he was offered a contract in the now defunct World Hockey Association, with the Houston Aeros. He played in the WHA for the following six seasons, before returning to the NHL for one last season in 1979-1980 with the then Hartford Whalers. After the season, Howe again retired from professional hockey.

• Six Decades of Hockey

  In what still remains a U.S. hockey record, Howe returned to the ice for a single game in 1997, nearly 70 years old, to play in his sixth decade of professional hockey.

• Celebrating the Legend

  In 1972, Howe was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. The same year, his #9 Jersey was retired by the Detroit Red Wings.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Wayne Gretzky | Detroit Red Wings | Steve Yzerman | NHL Awards | Joel Quenneville | Hockey Hall of Fame | Stanley Cup Playoffs | Bobby Orr | Bobby Hull | Mike Babcock

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