Gordie Howe entered the National Hockey League in 1946 at the age of eighteen. Entering the NHL at 18 has been common for many young professional hockey players over the decades, but what Howe did in his career was anything but common. Howe played in over 2,400 games, scored over 1,000 goals and over 1,500 assists during his career. He was on four Stanley Cup championship teams with the Detroit Red Wings.
When Howe was a rookie, the NHL had six teams. When Howe first retired in 1971, the National Hockey League doubled. Clarence Campbell, president of the NHL in 1971, said: “Gordie, when you entered the league, hockey was a Canadian sport. When you came out, you made it an American sport!” One of Howe’s biggest fans was Wayne Gretzky, who played from 1979 to 1999. Gretzky is also one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Howe and Gretzky inspired thousands of players around the world. Howe was a pioneer in expanding hockey because professional hockey is now played on other continents, such as Europe. Howe loved hockey so much that he played it for three decades and his passion for the game blossomed around the world.
1. Howe played professional hockey for 32 years.
Howe’s hockey career spanned from 1946 to 1980. Howe did not play for two seasons after his first retirement in 1971. For six of the seasons, Howe played in the World Hockey Association, another professional hockey league, in which also played Wayne Gretzky. The WHA ended in 1979.
Many of their careers will span many decades. Will you evoke the same passion in your career as Howe? Howe didn’t have to play hockey again in 1973 at the age of 45, but he did it for the love of the game. Howe defines what it is to be passionate about one’s career.
2. In the 1979-80 season, Howe, at age 52, played in all 80 games and was the top scorer for most of the season.
For most of you, working many days and weeks at a time can seem exhausting. Howe played one of the most physically demanding sports, appearing in every game of his final season at age 52. He retired after the 1979-80 season. Considering that many professional hockey players retire at thirty, Howe proved that age is just a number and not a state of mind. How many of you think you are too old to do anything? Gordie Howe made no excuses.
3. Howe was a very versatile player
Howe played centre-back, right-back and defense positions and could shoot with his right or left. He was a physically tough player and was the all-time top scorer until Wayne Gretzky broke his record. Howe’s versatility made him the player he was.
Many of you have skills, but are there other skills you could gain on the job or by taking a class that would make you even more valuable and resourceful in the workforce?
Howe epitomized versatility and the ability to multitask even before the term “multitasking” was coined.
Do you love what you do for a living? You don’t have to be one of the greatest hockey players of all time to love your career.
Howe greatly influenced Wayne Gretzky, who is also one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Who are some of the people you have greatly influenced? Although it’s not likely to influence the Hall of Fame hockey players much, it will influence people nonetheless. You never know if you will have a big influence on a great author who writes an excellent novel, the scientist who cures cancer, or a teacher, who can inspire other influential people. You never know who you will inspire.