Gordon (Gordie) Howe Signed Hockey Puck & Picture presented in a black shadow box.

No list of great hockey players would be complete without the name of Gordon Howe, who spent 25 glorious seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. Howe holds the record for the most goals (786), the most points in a career (1,809), and the most career assists (1,023).

Howe was born in 1928 at Floral, Sask., and played his last amateur season with the Saskatoon Lions juveniles and then played one year of minor pro with Omaha of the U.S. League before joining Detroit in the 1946-1947 season.

Gordie was known as one of the game's best all-around players, combining the arts of shooting, scoring, stickhandling, and all other hockey skills. He displayed an ability to shoot with equal dexterity from either side and had an effortless skating style. He was rough and tough, but never a bully.

Howe may well be ranked the game's greatest player of all time. Bobby Orr, Boston's great defenseman, thinks so, and so does Bobby Hull, another Hall of Famer.

Howe established many records. He played the most seasons (25), most regular-season games (1,687), won the most Hart Memorial Trophies as the NHL's most valuable player (6), most Art Ross Trophies as league scoring champion (6), in addition to the most career goals, points, and assists. He was also named to the most NHL All-Star teams (21-12 times to the 1st team, 9 to the 2nd).

Howe's last season with Detroit was 1970-1971. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972.