Former Red Wings director of pro scouting Mark Howe spoke with the Detroit News’s Mark Falkner in a subscriber-only article, discussing Howe’s decision to retire from his scouting position:
In typical Mark Howe fashion, his recent retirement announcement was almost an afterthought and done as quietly and under the radar as the way the 66-year-old former defenseman with the Detroit Red Wings conducted himself during a 48-year career in professional hockey.
This past summer, Howe walked into Steve Yzerman’s office and told the Red Wings’ general manager that he was stepping down as the team’s director of pro scouting after 16 seasons.
“I think Stevie was set back a little bit when I told him,” Howe said. “Then I brought up the same thing to him that I used to ask my dad about retirement. I said, ‘Steve, you were a player. Why did you retire?’ And, in his words to me, he said, ‘I get it.'”
Howe’s last day on the job was June 30, 2021. And with that, the son of Red Wings legend Gordie Howe ended his own Hockey Hall of Fame career without much fanfare or even a press release. Just a handshake and recognition of a job well done.
“I can remember asking dad, ‘How do you know when it’s time to retire?'” Howe said. “His answer would always be, ‘Well, you’ll know.’ I would say, ‘Dad, that’s a stupid answer and you’re not helping me one iota.’ He said, ‘Don’t worry. You’ll know.’
“In 1995, I was headed home from a game that we won convincingly. I did my job as a fifth or sixth defenseman. I played my 16 minutes but then I said, ‘Wow.’ It just hit me. I said I know it’s time to give this game up. I just didn’t have the same feeling anymore. So I called dad and said, ‘Well, thanks. I get it. Thanks for the advice.'”
Continued (paywall)
