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Gordie Howe: The legend returns

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By: Dan Berlin, Pro-Am Blogger - 29/04/2014

He’s arguably the greatest hockey player of all-time.

2,186 games played.
801 career NHL goals.
4 Stanley Cups.

Quite simply, he is Mr. Hockey™ .

And on Thursday May 1, 2014, Mr. Hockey™ will once again take centre stage at the 9th annual Scotiabank Baycrest Pro-Am as the guest of honour at the Gordie Howe and Friends Luncheon, a “thank you” to the event’s corporate sponsors.

Now 86, the legendary Howe remains as admired, revered and respected as ever.

Marcel Dionne, a Pro-Am participant and Hall-of-Famer in his own right, fondly remembers as a young boy growing up in Quebec watching Howe play.

"I remember going to the Montreal Forum at the age of 13 and watching him come on the ice as a Red Wing," says Dionne, who hails from Drummondville, QC.

"It was just awesome."

Seven years later, in the 1971-72 season, Dionne broke into the NHL as a fresh-faced rookie with Detroit, just one year after Howe initially retired from hockey. Now, more than four decades later, Dionne looks back at an incident during his first year at practice involving Howe - a Red Wings legend for 25 years - that scarred him.

"This is incredible what I’m about to tell you. I witnessed this as a 20-year-old young man," says Dionne, now 62.

"When I turned pro, Gordie [would still] come on the ice a few times [to skate with the team]. He was told to get off the ice."

This event would have a profound effect on Dionne’s own storied career.

"You’ve got to figure why I only stayed [in Detroit] for four years. I had to go," says Dionne, who would later be traded and go on to star with Los Angeles. "They did this to the greatest player of all time. I could see that there was a lot of lack of respect."

Now, when he’s asked about Howe’s legacy and his impact on the game of hockey, Dionne speaks with tremendous respect for the man whose one-time lofty records were ultimately made to be broken.

"We can talk about Wayne [Gretzky] and Mario [Lemieux] and Sidney Crosby now, and Bobby Orr and so on," says Dionne. "But there’s one thing about Gordie that everyone agrees [on]: He was one of the toughest players who ever played the game. To this day, guys admire him. He’s right at the top."

Howe’s skill and longevity – he played 32 professional seasons in all – are equally admirable. Before retiring from hockey for good at age 51, the ageless wonder joined the WHA’s Houston Aeros in 1973, where he skated alongside his two sons, Mark and Marty, en route to winning the Avco Cup and MVP honours in his first year in the league.

"There’s one record that will never be broken," adds Dionne. "It’s to play with your two sons. Unbelievable."

Longtime Pro-Am participant Mike Krushelnyski also shares a personal connection to Howe, having played with both Marty in Boston as a rookie in 1981 and with Mark in Detroit in 1995, to bookend his 14-year NHL career.

The Howe family continues to hold a special place in Krushelnyski’s heart. He remembers always being welcome in their homes, with memories of Gordie "giving him the gears" from time to time.

"Cruiser … you’re late!" the elder Howe would holler at Mike when it was time for he and Mark to head over to Joe Louis Arena for a game.

And now, with two sons of his own, Krushelnyski sees first-hand how the legend of Howe has carried on through new generations of hockey fans.

"For years, they knew him as Nolan’s [Marty’s son] grandfather," says Krushelnyski. "Years later, my little guys realized, 'Dad, THAT’S Gordie Howe!'"

And Gordie’s the reason why Krushelnyski, a three-time Stanley Cup champion with Edmonton in the ’80s, continues to be an integral part of the Scotiabank Baycrest Pro-Am to this very day.

"Years ago I received a phone call," says Krushelnyski. "When Gordie speaks, people listen."

Krushelnyski took it as an opportunity to personally help Gordie - and Baycrest - "stick it to Alzheimer’s."

"What he went through with Colleen was devastating to all," says Krushelnyski, referring to Mrs. Hockey, Gordie’s wife, who succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease in 2009. "We’ve been fortunate enough to help and participate in this, our ninth year, with the Scotiabank Baycrest Pro-Am."

"That’s what it’s all about."

Howe is currently batling a form of dementia. But that hasn’t stopped the man who famously wore No. 9 from taking part in a remarkable 9th year with the Pro-Am and the fight against Alzheimer’s.

The legend truly lives on.

Follow Dan on Twitter @Dan_Berlin and stay up on the latest event news @ScotiabankProAm.