Detroit Red Wings x Gordie Howe [1956-1971]

I just got my Detroit Red Wings Gordie Howe jersey back from the flea market. They have a custom embroidery shop with jersey cresting services. It didn't turn out that bad. The sleeve numbers are a bit off in size, but all together - it looks really good and was only $20.
Gordie Howe wore this style jersey for 15 seasons between 1956 to 1971. Although he didn't win a Stanley Cup in it, he still set league records in goals and points.


Way back in the day, numbers - particularly for the Red Wings, determined the type of berths/beds the players slept in when travelling by train. The lower the number, the better the bed. A previous player who wore the #9 was traded and passed it on to Gordie Howe. He was comfortable wearing #17 - but for a good night's sleep, inherited the single digit. It was definitely a good decision for he'd carve a historical career with this number.
I was asked, "Why don't you have his name on the back?" During Howe's career, nameplates weren't a standard part of the Red Wings uniform and were then used after he retired in 1971. I wanted to have the jersey as close as possible to the real thing.


As always with my jerseys, I need the hat to match and grabbed this Zephyr snapback cap. It definitely has that vintage look with the scripted front and team logo on the side.



Born in March of 1928, Gordon "Gordie" Howe, the Floral, Sask. native headed east to try out for the New York Rangers as a 16 year old. Unfortunately, he did not make the team, but it would not deter him from becoming a professional hockey player. He was soon discovered by a scout for the Detroit Red Wings and was assigned to their minor league club; the Omaha Knights of the United States Hockey League. After one season in the USHL, he was called up to the NHL for the 1946-47 season.


As a Red Wing, he would line up with Ted Lindsay and Sid Abel to form one of the most offensive lines in the game. Nicknamed "The Production Line," they would hoist the Stanley Cup four times between 1950 to 1955 while building one of sports best rivalries with the Chicago Blackhawks.


His aggressive style of play and gentleman conduct off the ice gave him the much beloved nickname,"Mr. Hockey." Furthermore, a play was named after him, the Gordie Howe Hat Trick which consisted of a goal, assist, and a fight. Mr. Hockey would only achieve it twice. He would continue to dominate the league's numbers, leading the game in points and goals wearing the white and red.


After a 25 year stint in the Motor City as a right winger, Gordie Howe hung his skates in 1971 leaving behind a legacy very few can match. Upon his retirement, he was the all-time leader in points and goals.


Gordie Howe would come out of retirement in 1973 and play for the World Hockey Association's Houston Aeros. Alongside his sons; Marty Howe [#3] and Mark Howe [#4], it would be the first time in hockey history where father and sons would make up an offensive line.


In 1977, they were shipped off to the New England Whalers and in 1979, after the WHA-NHL merger, the three would play together for one last season as the newly named Hartford Whalers.



In 1980, Gordie Howe would make his 23rd and last appearance at the NHL All-Star Game in Detroit's Joe Louis Arena. The same city he'd start his career in over 30 years before. It would also be his final season playing as a professional as well.


In 1997, at 70 years of age, Gordie Howe signed a one game contract for the now-defunct International Hockey League's Detroit Vipers. Although his only shift lasted for 45 seonds, it would make him the only player to hit the ice in 6 different decades.


Gordie Howe represented his homeland for the first and only time in his career when Team Canada faced the USSR in the 1974 Summit Series. Unfortunately, USSR won the series 4-1-3. Mr. Hockey registered 7 points [3 goals, 4 assists].


NHL Career Highlights and Awards:
1767 games played, 801 goals [2nd all-time leader], 1049 assists, 1850 points [3rd all-time leader], 6x Art Ross Trophy [1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1963], 6x league MVP (1952, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963), 4x Stanley Cup Champion [1950, 1952, 1954, 1955], 23x All- Star, and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee [1972; 3 year waiting period was waived].
Furthermore, his #9 jersey is retired by the Detroit Red Wings, Houston Aeros, and Hartford/New England Whalers. The Whalers relocated and became the Carolina Hurricanes, but the number still remains unissued. In 1998, he was placed #3 on The Hockey News 100 Greatest Players of All Time.
His wife, Colleen "Mrs. Hockey" Howe, is the creator of The Howe Foundation, an organization to help less fortunate children participate and enjoy the game of hockey. Although she passed away in 2009, her legacy lives on through her husband and their charitable institution.


Legends of Hockey: Gordie Howe


Mr. Hockey has since reached pop culture status, from music, television, and films.


These images have to look familiar.

Before I publish and re-publish this post, let me end it off with the holy grail of Gordie Howe memorabilia:

My dual-signed action figure baseplate which also bears the autograph of Johnny Bower.

"If you love it, you can overcome any handicap or the soreness or all the aches and pains, and continue to play for a long, long time." - Gordie Howe

This post gave me a great idea. Seeing how it is the end of the week, I thought it would be fun to write an entry of each jersey in my collection every Sunday. Kind of like these guys, but include my baseball and basketball unforms in the mix along with the cap to match. I don't have much - but I do have enough. It'll be a good 10-12 notes for everyone to look forward to.