Howe the whole hockey package

It's been more than 25 years since Gordie Howe played his final NHL game - at the unprecedented age of 52 - and his name remains one of the most recognizable in sport.

His presence drew more than 500 people to the 10th anniversary Acadia hockey celebrity dinner held in June in Wolfville - a record attendance that may never be broken.

It was nice to see such a crowd as the always-successful event celebrated its anniversary. A lot of people organize the dinner each year as a fundraiser for the hockey program, and they deserve a lot of credit.

The group of individuals and business people that ponied up to bring Howe in as the headline guest - at no cost to the organizers - also deserve a big pat on the back.

Even at the age of 79, Howe's name is still spoken in almost reverential terms. If there was a hall of fame for hall of famers, he would surely be a charter member.

What is it that made Howe so special? He's not that imposing physically - especially in comparison to a lot of players today. In his prime, he was bigger than most, at about 6', 200 pounds.

He played hard, even mean at times, but so, it seemed, did everyone in the old six-team NHL.

Howe would probably tell you himself there were players who had more talent, were faster or had better moves. But no one else, in his era or any other - including Wayne Gretzky, in my opinion - had the whole package like Howe did.

Though he was never the fastest, Howe could skate with the best. Like Gretzky and Bobby Orr, he had the ability to see the entire ice and anticipate the play.

Others could shoot harder, but Howe's shot was arguably more accurate, and he was ambidextrous. Others were just as strong or maybe even stronger, but Howe's secret was knowing when to use his strength, and how to use it to his advantage.

Howe played 25 years in the NHL before retiring at the age of 43. Even then, for anyone not named Johnny Bower, it was an advanced age to be still playing.

He wasn't done, as it turned out - not nearly. Coaxed back to play in the World Hockey Association on the same team - and briefly the same line - as his two eldest sons, Howe played six years in the WHA and one final campaign in the NHL. Even as a 51- and 52-year-old, he played 80 games in that 1979-1980 season. He scored 15 goals.

He retired with more goals and points than any other player in NHL history - records that have since been broken by others, including Gretzky, arguably the only player (so far) considered to be in Howe's class.

A look at the list of career records begins to show how well Howe's stats stack up. He remains first in games played (1,767), second (behind Gretzky) in goals (801), third (behind Gretzky and Mark Messier) in points (1,850), and eighth in assists (1,049).

To me, what made Howe special was what he was made of as a person. He describes himself as “a mean S.O.B.” when he played, but what he was was smart - not the type of smarts you learn in a book, either. With the help of wife Colleen - and they made a formidable team - he translated his on-ice skill to his off-ice affairs as well. He is not only officially “Mr. Hockey” - thanks to Colleen having had the good sense to register the name - he is literally “Mr. Hockey” as well.

I hope everyone out there that had a chance to meet Howe during his recent visit did. Cherish the experience. Individuals of his stature are few and far between - in any era.