Ottawa's hockey fraternity remembers Gordie Howe
Howe's impact on generations of local hockey players, both professional and amateur, was profound
Hockey fans and players in Ottawa are remembering the impact Gordie Howe had on them, after hearing news Friday the hockey legend had died at the age of 88.
Former Ottawa Senators centre Radek Bonk took time away from a charity golf tournament to offer his recollections.
"I remember meeting him many years back here in Ottawa and I know it's a big loss for the hockey world," Bonk said. "Obviously everyone knows what he's done for hockey and he's going to be missed... I think everybody in the world knows his name."
He was such a gentleman.- Hockey broadcaster Garry Galley
Former NHL player and hockey broadcaster Garry Galley said it was a huge thrill to watch Howe on television.
Galley, who grew up in Ottawa, played with Mark Howe, Gordie's son, when he was with the Philadelphia Flyers.
"I had the opportunity to meet [Gordie Howe] on a number of occasions. Everything you thought about Gordie when you watched him play and all the things you heard about him were really true. He was such a gentleman," said Galley.
Former Ottawa 67s coach Brian Kilrea was a teammate of Howe's for a brief but memorable stint with the Red Wings back in 1957/58.
Kilrea recalled his first NHL game in an interview with the Hockey Hall of Fame.
"I was nervous," Kilrea said. "But when I got to Detroit, it was just such a thrill to be in the same room with Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay and the rest of the squad. They were playing Boston. I only got one shift but I remember it, mainly because I was out with Gordie Howe. It was a 2-1 game and unfortunately, Boston won. It was a game I'll always remember."
The Ottawa Senators hockey club and captain Erik Karlsson were among those who took to Twitter with tributes and condolences.
<a href="https://twitter.com/ErikKarlsson65">@ErikKarlsson65</a> he might toss a few more elbows before settling into his final sleep
—@troytcarlsonHockey lost a legend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of <a href="https://t.co/r0HGttShWL">https://t.co/r0HGttShWL</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9RIP?src=hash">#9RIP</a><a href="https://t.co/oCFJ4RrvIV">https://t.co/oCFJ4RrvIV</a>
—@SenatorsMy condolences to the family of Gordie Howe, the Detroit Red Wings and all his fans around the world. He will always be Mr. Hockey.
—@JustinTrudeau'Heaven is a better place today': <a href="https://t.co/8BxBskPzn9">https://t.co/8BxBskPzn9</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPGordieHowe?src=hash">#RIPGordieHowe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MrHockey?src=hash">#MrHockey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9RIP?src=hash">#9RIP</a> <a href="https://t.co/O9wTLDM47L">pic.twitter.com/O9wTLDM47L</a>
—@PSRecordClubHowe played into his 50s, all but his last season with the Detroit Red Wings.
Howe played his 26th and final year in hockey for the World Hockey Association's Hartford Whalers, where he was able to play with his sons Mark and Marty.
Howe shattered records, threw elbows and helped the Detroit Red Wings win four Stanley Cups, becoming an idol to Wayne Gretzky and countless other Canadians while also helping the sport attract American fans.
Gretzky was a rookie when Howe played his final season at 52 — a fitting symmetry since Howe was the league's most prolific scorer until the "Great One" broke his career marks for goals and points.
With files from The Canadian Press