Club 1974:
Houston Aeros

 
Gordie Howe
# 9, Team CANADA 1974

Club: Houston Aeros
Position: RW  Shoots: Right
Height: 6-00 Weight: 205
Born: 3/31/1928 in Floral, Sask

It is impossible to do justice to Gordie Howe in a few paragraphs. He was arguably the greatest player in the history of North American professional hockey. He starred for the Detroit Red Wings from 1946-47 to 1970-71 being a key member of 3 Stanley Cup winning teams. He led the NHL in scoring 6 times, and was league MVP 6 times as well. Howe was a gifted offensive player, a superb defensive player, and perhaps the toughest player in the game. There were players who were better offensively, others who had better defensive skills, and perhaps even players who were tougher. No player however, combined all of these skills in such a complete "package" then did Gordie Howe.

Gordie retired from the NHL at age 43 after the 1970-71 season. Although he was still playing well and producing points at a good pace Gordie, was in pain from sever arthritis in his wrists and discouraged with the poor way in which the Red Wings were being operated. He worked in the Red Wings front office for two years then stunned the hockey world by announcing he was ending his retirement and joining the WHA's Houston Aeros who had just drafted his two oldest sons Mark and Marty. In his return to big league hockey in 1973-74 at age 45 Gordie had 31 goals along with 69 assists for 100 points. He was a leader of the Aeros' championship team that year and was named WHA MVP.

Gordie even at age 46 was a natural selection for Team Canada in the summer of 1974. He had proven the season before he could still hockey at an elite level. There were many hockey experts however who doubted that he would be able to keep up with the younger, stronger, and faster Soviets he would be facing. Gordie proved all of his doubters wrong in that series. After a strong training camp, he played well in every game. He opened the series playing on a line with Frank Mahovlich and Ralph Backstrom and turned in a strong performance in the series opener. Starting in game 2, Gordie played on a line with Backstrom, and son Mark, which quickly became Team Canada's finest line. In 6 full games (and 1 period of game 2 after which he left due to an injury) Gordie produced 3 goals, and added 4 assists. He worked the power play, killed penalties, and was on the ice for almost every crucial situation Team Canada faced. The Soviets were literally "awestruck" at the high skill level Howe still displayed at such an advanced age. He was clearly among Team Canada's finest players.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGTS:

- Played in the professional hockey leagues: 1946-80
- Pro hockey clubs:
NHL: Detroit, WHA: Houston, New England
- Stanley Cups (4): 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955
- AVCO Trophy (2): 1974, 1975
- NHL awards:
Art Ross Trophy 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1963
Hart Memorial Trophy 1952, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963
NHL All Star (1st Team) 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970
NHL All Star (2nd Team) 1949, 1950, 1956, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1967
- WHA awards:
Gary L. Davidson Award (MVP) 1974
WHA All Star (1st Team) 1974, 1975
- Hockey Hall of Fame: 1972

PERFORMANCE IN THE 1974 SUMMIT

THE SUMMIT IN 1974:
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Arthur R. Chidlovski

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