Tributes are pouring in for the man known as “Mr. Hockey.”
Gordie Howe passed away this morning at the age of 88 after battling dementia for the last few years.
President of the North Bay Battalion Mike Griffin got to know Howe while working for the NHL in media relations in the mid-80’s. Griffin says Howe was a humble man and always had time for the fans.
He says Howe is a true legend and is in the same class as Jean Beliveau, Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky.
Griffin says every good story you’ve ever heard about Howe is true. He says despite Howe’s legendary status he had always wanted to be remembered as a hard working farm boy from Saskatchewan.
Griffin says he was having breakfast with Howe at the Royal York in Toronto several years ago. He says Howe spent five minutes talking to the waitress about each other’s kids. Griffin says Howe didn’t know the waitress personally, he just remembered her from his playing days since they always stayed at the Royal York before playing the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Battalion Colour Commentator Greg Theberge played against Howe in 1979 – which was 33 years after Howe played against Theberges’ grandfather Dit Clapper.
Theberge says it was a pretty big story in the press to have a game which featured players from a three-generational span. He says the media were asking Howe what is was like to play against someone whose grandfather was in the league when Howe was just a rookie.
Theberge says it was Howe’s off-ice personality that made him so popular. He says Howe was soft spoken, he wasn’t in your face or very flamboyant.
Theberge went on to say Howe should get as much recognition in hockey as Muhammad Ali got in the sport of boxing.
