Howe's Heroes
Hockey's first family ready for All-Star oldies show
Posted: Saturday January 23, 1999 10:34 AM
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Family affair: Gordie Howe and sons Mark and Marty will enjoy a special family outing in Saturday's Heroes of Hockey Old-Timers Game Rick Stewart/Allsport |
By Denise N. Maloof, CNNSI
TAMPA, Fla. -- The knees creak, and sometimes the body needs a surgical tune-up, but age and joint crankiness haven't diminished Mr. Hockey's appeal.
At age 70, Hall of Famer Gordie Howe still commands a royal audience. Kids duck between adults' hips to present locker-room autograph material. Veteran reporters say, "Yes sir" and "No sir." Mr. Hockey accepts all the deference with the smoothness of someone used to the media's eye, his cotton-white hair ready for a post-practice comb and a shower.
Well, almost.
"Oh my goodness," he says, grimacing as another camera light blasts him.
As part of the NHL's 1999 All-Star weekend in Tampa, the Venerable One will participate in Saturday's Heroes of Hockey Old-Timers game. It features the NHL Heroes against the Sunbelt Heroes, and precedes the Super Skills competition at the Ice Palace. Howe will play for the Heroes of Hockey team, and undoubtedly take several shifts with sons Mark and Marty, both also NHL alumni.
"This will be the best," he said following Friday's practice at the Ice Palace. "Playing with my family. It's our 25th anniversary, you know, so what better way to celebrate?"
Not counting years of practice and pick-up games together, the Howe family officially played together as pros -- for one WHA season -- in 1979-80 with the Hartford Whalers, producing a total of 39 goals, 83 assists and 122 points.
"They brought me out of retirement, you know," said the elder Howe, who can still take a spin with the next generation; there are nine Howe grandchildren.
His sons Mark, now 43, and Marty, now 44, also enjoyed pro careers - Mark for 22 years {16 NHL), and Marty for 12 years (197 NHL games over six seasons). Since the younger Howes' retirements, the father-son trio has appeared together at other functions and All-Star events, but Saturday's silver-anniversary appearance at the Ice Palace will be unlike any other family outing.
"I thank [NHL commissioner] Gary Bettman for suggesting it," said the elder Howe, who spent most of his record-setting career with the Detroit Red Wings.
"Back when I was 18, it didn't mean as much," Mark Howe said Friday while his father accommodated more media. "I was more concerned with my career and making a name for myself, but now, it really sinks in, having us all in the same room together. I look around and see guys I played against for years in the NHL, like [former Islanders star] Clark Gillies, and having Dad here makes it that much more special."
Despite his easygoing manner, Gordie Howe admitted that he's not all cream-puff elder statesman. Back during the 1950s and 60s, when the NHL All-Star game pitted the defending Stanley Cup champions against a team of league All-Stars, the elder Howe even punched out an opponent or two.
"I wasn't a nice guy back then," he said, grinning. "I was too much like my dad."
"I don't remember it being played like that when I was growing up," Mark Howe said. "But I think Dad does hold the All-Star record for most penalty minutes, or least comes close to it."
Regardless of whether Mr. Hockey skates only a token shift Saturday, fans should appreciate what they're seeing. Howe had replacement surgery on both knees last June, and a hernia operation two weeks before Christmas.
"Just for him to be out here, and people to know him, it's been worth it," Mark Howe said. "Because he's been through it, lately. It means a lot for me and Marty, and our whole family."
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