Gordie Howe talks about his comeback at 50, 1978: CBC Archives | CBC

In this clip from 1978, NHL legend Gordie Howe talks about his comeback in professional hockey. Howe was a month away from turning 50 during this interview. He came back after two years of retirement to play with his sons Mark and Marty with the WHA's New England Whalers. For more classic clips, go to www.cbc.ca/archives
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Gordie Howe talks about his comeback at 50, 1978: CBC Archives | CBC
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[@bernardbisson6461]

The greatest player to ever lace on a pair of skates. He was Gretzky's idol.

[@bobbyhulll8737]

Mine as well

[@michaelohalloran2800]

Iconic man. Had all the skills. Could listen to him all. Day.

[@majorsmythe1]

Greatest COMPLETE hockey ever. RIP.

[@tommyarmour986]

He was one of those few super athletes who could have excelled at 2-3 sports at the pro level.

[@rockinyouallnight]

Gordie was a beast, a freak of nature and a hockey player, the likes of which, we will never see again. Long live the memories of Mr. Hockey.

[@southpaw788]

Thick shoulders and traps 💪

[@franktheo2055]

When I was a kid growing up during the 1960's the two most popular players in hockey were with the Detroit Red Wings & Chicago Blackhawks Mr. Hockey & The Golden Jet. When the WHA merged into the NHL in 1979 I got to see the legendary Gordie Howe playing on the same line with his two sons Mark & Marty for the Hartford Whalers, how many dad's in pro sports could say that they got to play on the same team and on the same line with their kids None ! Gordie Howe @ 50 will always be Mr. Hockey all the way at drop of the puck. He was Great RIP.

[@jeancorriveau8686]

I met Gordie Howe in 1991. He has big hands like claws. Then I understood why he had such good wrist shoots.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Thank goodness for Saskatchewan 💚

[@jockejocke1]

Gordie's NHL & WHA stats combined: Regular season: GP - 2,186 G - 975 A - 1,383 P - 2,358 PIM - 2,084 Playoffs: GP - 235 G - 96 A - 135 P - 231 PIM - 335 Regular season + Playoffs: GP - 2,421 G - 1,071 A - 1,518 P - 2,589 PIM - 2,419 Unbelievable numbers.

[@michaelmohrle1773]

Still the all time regular season professional goal scorer with 975, even as I write this 6/28/2023.

[@kolptroop9983]

My hero. RIP

[@davidoswald5271]

I have met Mr. Howe 2 times and went to the Joe for Mr. Howe's viewing at funeral. He was a Complete gentleman yet a Beast on the ice. I Thank You Jesus, for Mr. Hocky...

[@PinkLaffs]

Greatest comb over in hockey.

[@jakecrow8345]

The description is wrong, he actually came back to play with the WHA's Houston Aeros

[@sethother8012]

He seems to have more charisma than the typical hockey player. Almost like they are interviewing a movie star or something

[@leevanderwaskewitch7858]

Miss you Gordie

[@domeniceufemia870]

Mr hockey gordie howe

[@donschmidt8203]

Pure hockey royalty along with jean beliveau, bobby hull and bobby orr. I love the comment red wing announcer bruce Martyn said about Gretzky vs Howe. He said five Gretzky's vs five Howes would be no contest because the five howes would be the only ones standing at the end of the game. Maybe the only player ever who needed no protector. Quite possibly the greatest athlete ever from north America or anywhere else. Beyond a legend.

[@celticwarlord4204]

Such a mellow soul, but once he's on the ice he's the devil.

[@bulkyspud1842]

Is it me or is this what sid Crosby will look like eventually. Kinda sounds like him and his expressions and mouth. Rip. Legend

[@ptl44]

Yes, I always thought Sid looked and talked like a young Gordie.

[@MMGJ10]

Good call! I see it. .. the head tilt. Several things.

[@andyc9979]

@@MMGJ10 I'm the original poster. New account. Exactly what I was seeing. The head tilt, his mannerisms and the nose I think

[@DeckardWhite]

RIP

[@jeffreyturcotte420]

"Why go behind the net at the other end...." enter Wayne Gretzky.

[@BBBYpsi]

45 yrs old & takes on two guys & whips them. Only great scorer that did his own fighting & hardly anyone would try him. Even at 52 young guys were afraid of him.

[@gwens547]

He's a lot like Sidney Crosby...such great hockey minds....

[@elvisparker4691]

I was just thinking that. Just as soft spoken as Sid, too.

[@matthewpester6003]

Mr Hockey!

[@martinfriesen9038]

Gordie # 9 was the Bested when he got the pack Gordy delivered the mail that means a goal

[@tomp4925]

Was his wrist shot 100 MPH?

[@bananaramic6038]

You're wrong dude, he did come back to the NHL. He played a season in 1980 for the Hartford Whalers with his two sons. He retired following that season. You are right about the WHA though, but that was two years prior, which IS what this video is about.

[@michaelmohrle1773]

You are also a bit wrong, Gordie came back in 1973 to play with his sons in Houston for the Aeros of the WHA. Then he went to the Whalers who were an expansion team in the NHL in 79/80 and went to the playoffs at 52 years old!!

[@BikeStorck]

The description is incorrect. Gordie Howe didn't come back to the NHL... he came back to play in the WHA with his two sons.

[@MMGJ10]

But stayed with the Hartford Whalers when they came back in the NHL IN 79-80 and played one more year at 51-52 years of age

[@whocares3591]

Go to the NHL1980 all Star game....after 8 mins come back and let us know...

[@michaelmohrle1773]

​@@whocares3591The standing ovation that went on for 8 minutes, !!!

[@RM-gn2nj]

Class act ! Don't poke the bear on the ice otherwise ......

[@HarveyBacktheBeatles]

The big difference between the real Gordie and Michael Shanks portrayal of him is Gordie speaks very soft and gentleman like. Michael Shanks played Gordie much more ballsy off the ice.

[@rickrick5041]

Nice guy! But never get in his way in the ice. Lol