Today, the greatest hockey player turns 80 years old. No, it isn’t Wayne Gretzky because, with all due respect, he couldn’t even hold Mr. Hockey’s jock strap. I am talking about none other than Gordie Howe the Detroit Red Wings legend, who has played in more professional hockey games and scored more goals professionally than any other hockey player.

I never had the opportunity to see Gordie play in person, but I did have tickets to see him play for the Detroit Vipers when he signed a one game contract so he could play hockey in 6 decades. However, I was not able to go for various reasons and passed the tickets off to someone else. Sadly it would be the last time he would really ever skate again because of having both knees replaced, which he said is the one thing he misses the most.

If you want to read more you can read two excellent articles that appeared in the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press.