HAPPY 80TH MR. HOCKEY!

by E. Spencer Kyte, Bugs and Cranks

Gordie Howe turns 80-years-old today and we here in the Great White North want to send along some birthday wishes to the greatest all-around player to ever lace up skates. Yeah, I said it - Best All-Around Player Ever. Tell me I'm wrong.

Howe debuted with the Red Wings at age 18, when some of us (myself included) were still trying to figure out how to get to third base and I'm not talking baseball.

He led the Red Wings to four Stanley Cups and cruised down the right side on one of the best lines ever put together, The Production Line, along side Sid Abel and Ted Lindsay.

In 1973, Howe joined his sons Mark and Marty as members of the Houston Aeros of the WHA. The following year, "Old Elbows" was named the league MVP. He was 46 at the time.

Can you imagine? I doubt I'll be able to play a game of pickup basketball in the driveway with my kids at age 46, yet along be the MVP of anything.

His last season came in 1979 when the WHA folded and the Hartford Whalers joined the NHL. The 51-year-old Howe helped the Whale make the playoffs, notching 15 goals and 41 points.

I know I did this before, but seriously, 41 points as a 51-year-old! That's as many or more points than Scott Hartnell, Miro Satan, Alexander Semin or Darcy Tucker netted this season and none of them are even on the plus side of 35.

Plain and simple, Gordie Howe was amazing.

Happy Birthday Mr. Hockey.

Hopefully someone will do you proud and notch a Gordie Howe Hat Trick tonight in your honour.