Tampa Bay Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman comments on the passing of hockey legend Gordie Howe.
There are very few players in the National Hockey League that are truly able to make an impact on their fans. As the old saying goes, the logo on the front is much more important than the name on the back of the jersey. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Players who truly transcend time and will remain forever in the hearts of their fans.
Fans of the Edmonton Oilers will never forget “The Great One” Wayne Gretzky. In Pittsburgh, no other name rings quite as true as “The Magnificent One” Mario Lemieux. This is the same way in which Tampa Bay Lightning fans will always remember players like Dave Andreychuk and Vincent Lecavalier.
While all of the aforementioned names have made an impact on the game and have gone on to achieve great things, there is no one in the world of hockey that has made the kind of impact Gordie Howe has made over the course of his lifetime. Gordie Howe was a consistent, all-around player who could lay a hit just as quickly as he could score a goal. Howe’s on-ice persona over the years quickly earned him the name “Mr. Hockey.”
Unfortunately, the world lost one of the truest hockey icons yesterday as Detroit Red Wings forward Gordie Howe passed away at the age of 88. As you can imagine, while the entire hockey world mourns Howe’s loss, there are none more devastated than those who are players, friends, family, and fans of the Detroit Red Wings, the team in which he spent 25 seasons with during his illustrious career.
As many of you here in the Bolts Nation know, Tampa Bay Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman spent 22 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, almost all of which were spent as their captain. In that time, Yzerman got to know Gordie Howe fairly well, and as you can imagine, Yzerman has felt his loss just as deeply as his brother-in-arms in Detroit.
"“It was very saddening to hear the news of Gordie’s passing this morning. He has been an icon not only in Detroit, but throughout the entire hockey world for as long as I can remember.” Yzerman said via the Lightning’s official site. “As one of the greatest players to ever play in the NHL, the majority of his career being in Detroit, it was an honor to wear the same uniform, spend time with, laugh, joke and seek advice from him. Gordie’s humility and kindness left a permanent impression on me, greatly influencing how I tried to conduct myself throughout my career.”"
The hockey world may never see a player quite like Gordie Howe. There will be many who strive to live up to his standard. Many will give everything they have on the ice. Most players bleed for their teams as long as they can lace up their skates. Unfortunately, the National Hockey League will be hard pressed to find another player like “Mr. Hockey.”
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We here at Bolts By The Bay send our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and teammates of Gordie Howe. May they find peace in this incredibly troubling time. To Mr. Hockey himself…thank you for the memories.