I’m not one for incessantly posting the “This Date in History” posts, but I find it pretty darn remarkable that Gordie Howe is seventy-six years removed from the start of his tenure with the Red Wings, as noted by NHL.com’s John Kreiser:
THIS DATE IN HISTORY: Oct. 8
1946: Gordie Howe begins his NHL journey when he signs a contract with the Detroit Red Wings.
Howe, an 18-year-old from Floral, Saskatchewan, makes his NHL debut eight days later. He finishes his first season with 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 58 games. By 1949-50, he’s a 35-goal scorer and begins a run of 20 seasons when he finishes in the top five in the NHL scoring race. He wins the Art Ross Trophy six times and plays on four Stanley Cup-winning teams with Detroit.
Howe is 52 when he retires June 4, 1980, holding the NHL record for games played (1,767), goals (801) and points (1,850).
Speaking of “days in history,” Los Angeles Kings writer Mike Commito noted that Steve Yzerman worked through something of an anniversary of his own on Wednesday:
On this day in 1986, Steve Yzerman was named captain of the @DetroitRedWings. At just the age of 21, he became the youngest captain in club history #Hockey365 #LGRW pic.twitter.com/236HRC2k1c— Mike Commito (@mikecommito) October 7, 2020
24 years ago.
