Esquire 324 Report post Posted March 31, 2009 Today marks Mr. Hockey's 81st birthday! The first and only time I had the pleasure of meeting Gordie was at an Easter Seals function in my hometown of Sudbury, Ontario where he signed my Red Wings banner. It's also where my avatar picture came from. Anyone else want to share some Gordie stories in honor of his birthday? Stay classy my good man! :beerbuddy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheBigRedMachine 2 Report post Posted March 31, 2009 I can relate a Gordie story that my Dad always tells me because I find it to be a true example of how classy this guy is. Back in the '60's, my Dad (being a little kid) went to an Eaton's department store to meet Gordie Howe at a scheduled meet and greet. Of course the line-up was quite long but when my Dad got up there to meet him, Gordie asked, "So little guy, what do you want to be when you grow up?" and my Dad replied, "I want to be a Train Engineer and drive trains like my Dad." Gordie then laughed and said, "You're the first kid that didn't say hockey player." Gordie then proceeded to halt the entire meet and greet, walk with my (child) Dad to the Eaton's toy department and purchase a Lionel Toy Train Engine, signed it, and gave it to my Dad. My Dad still has that Toy, unopened in the box and has an absolute man-crush on Mr. Hockey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted March 31, 2009 Wow, Red Machine, that's a helluva story. For being such a beast on the ice the guy sure was a giant teddy bear off it. It's been a rough year for Mr. Hockey, but let's give it up for the greatest ever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-TownWing 0 Report post Posted March 31, 2009 It's been a rough year for Mr. Hockey, but let's give it up for the greatest ever. For sure, on both counts. Some of my favorite stories involve him being overprotective of his sons during the WHA years--he liked to pull guys off of Mark and Marty by putting his fingers in their nostrils. Dude was one tough hombre and fought his own battles, which is why I put him ahead of Gretzky, and he had the durability that Orr didn't. It blows my mind to think that he played major league-level hockey for 32 years. And he scored 41 points in the NHL at age 51. Freaking insane. I just wish I wasn't being born while he was doing that so I could've had the chance to see him play, other than on grainy highlight films. Only met him once, when he was signing copies of the 9 book at the Joe last year. I won't pretend like we talked for 20 minutes or anything like that, but he came off as just a tremendous guy, playfully ripping on me for making my gf carry all of our stuff while I got the autograph and asking to see the back of my jersey. A guy in his position has no need to make some random Wings fan like me feel important, but he does anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dimaline312000 51 Report post Posted March 31, 2009 Happy Birthday Gordie!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted March 31, 2009 The greatest of all time, period. No ifs, ands or buts. He has truly earned the title of "Mr. Hockey". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingsgirl001 983 Report post Posted April 1, 2009 Happy Birthday Gordy!! May you have many more! :beerbuddy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electrophile 3,554 Report post Posted April 1, 2009 Happy Birthday, Gordie! Hope you ate lots of birfday cake. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ComradeWasabi 109 Report post Posted April 1, 2009 Happy Birthday Mr. Hockey. Have your signed book in my room somewhere still. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted April 1, 2009 Happy birthday to Mr. Hockey! :beerbuddy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kira 451 Report post Posted April 1, 2009 My first encounter with Gordie was at training camp. My hubby had his service dog with him (at the time it was Galen). Gordie saw Galen and tried to feed him a piece of banana! Galen wouldn't take it (he was taught not to do that, being a service dog), and Gordie said, "He'd probably rather eat a calf." He is a sweet and wonderful gentleman. I wish him nothing but the best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
