This Day in Hockey History – June 4, 1980 – Mr. Hockey Hangs Up Skates, Again
Gordie Howe, having already retired but then returned to the ice to skate with his two sons, often made the “dad” joke that he would not retire again until the usual retirement age, 65. As a professional athlete, it was amazing how close he came when he retired at 52. The legend had skated for 32 seasons that spanned five decades when he announced his retirement on June 4, 1980. Howe wrote in his autobiography, “When I say it out loud, it almost seems unreal that I played in five different decades. At the time, however, it felt completely natural. When winter arrived, it always just felt like time to put on my skates. It didn’t matter whether I was a kid or a grandfather, those feelings didn’t change.”
When Howe retired the first time, in 1971 after 25 seasons, he meant to help run his team, the Detroit Red Wings. They did not give him enough meaningful work, so after two years, he signed with the Houston Aeros of the WHA. He wanted to play hockey with his sons, Mark and Marty. The three of them then joined the New England Whalers in 1977. When the Hartford Whalers joined the NHL in 1979, Gordie Howe enjoyed one final season back in the NHL.
He planned to take the summer of 1980 to decide whether he had enough energy to make it all the way through the next season. However, he only needed until the beginning of June. Howe told the Whalers management and his sons about a week before making the formal announcement at the Hartford Hilton Hotel ballroom. His sons were surprised, but as Howe told the media, “I feel I probably have another half year in me. I think I could still enjoy and participate with the hockey club. But I feel the idea is to leave something behind. I’d hate to play another year and find out I’d left it short. I think I’m still damn good enough to play but in my mind I think I might not make a whole year.”
Whalers officials praised Howe. According to Jack Kelley, the director of hockey operations, “There is a certain sadness knowing that Gordie will no longer be a player. We will never see a player like Gordie in our time. He is a man for all seasons – 32 of them to be exact.” Coach Don Blackburn stated, “It’s tough when you’re a coach and a fan. I never thought I’d see the day I’d be coaching Gordie Howe. I’m just happy to have been a part of the greatest sports story in history.” In summary, Bob Casey (director of public relations) commented, “This is one of the biggest days in history. It is truly the end of an era. Gordie Howe is the greatest player to ever play the sport as well as a great human being. He is a credit to the game and his family.”
All this led to the announcement that Howe would take on a new role as the Whalers’ director of player development. That would entail “on-ice coaching during training camp, scouting, evaluation of both junior and NHL players and player acquisition.”
Even though he accepted the position, Howe and his wife Colleen made comments about him focusing on Amway Corp. (short for American Way), the second-largest and controversial direct sales organization based at Ada, Michigan. Colleen explained, “Gordie just wants to be a crown ambassador in Amway.” Howe felt Amway offered more freedom than hockey, saying, “We’re very strong with Amway, you know. We’re totally involved and have dedicated ourselves to that because that will give us professional mobility (so we are) not nailed down to a specific job.”
Whatever Howe ended up doing, his sons would miss him on the ice. Mark noted, “I’ll miss him. There’s no doubt about that. We’ll miss him for the 30-40 games he’s playing well. When he plays well he controls the whole game. That’s where we’ll miss him most.” Marty wished everyone could have had a chance to skate with his father. “I’ll miss him and the team will miss him. You always miss a good hockey player.”
Howe definitely had the longest professional hockey skating career. He still ranks third (behind Mark Messier and Jaromir Jagr) for most NHL games played, at 1,924. He actually played more regular-season games than them but fewer playoff games. However, Howe also played 497 games for the WHA. Were that included, Howe’s professional play would top the list.
“My career, though, feels like much more than a collection of numbers,” Howe wrote. “It’s playing for the fans and my teammates, and all of the friendships [my wife] Colleen and I made over the years. It’s being part of something bigger than just myself. It’s being on the ice, sweating and bleeding with the boys. It’s the wonderful life that hockey allowed me to give my family. It’s a game I love.” On June 10, 2016, 36 years and about one week after his retirement, Howe passed away leaving his skates behind for good.
Additional Sources:
- https://www.nhl.com/news/gordie-howe-retired-june-4-1980-remained-face-of-hockey/c-289754646
- https://thepinkpuck.com/2019/04/09/this-day-in-hockey-history-april-9-1980-gordies-goodbye-goal/
- Terry Price, “Whalers’ Gordie Howe Retires,” Hartford Courant, 5 June 1980, pp. 1, 23, 69, 73.
- Terry Price, “Marty: You Always Miss a Good Hockey Player,” Hartford Courant, 5 June 1980, p. 73.
- Bill McGraw, “The Howe Years” and ‘Not Sad’ – Gordie Howe Ends His Career,” Detroit Free Press, 5 June 1980, pp. 1D, 5D, 7D.
- Joe LaPointe, “A legend is at rest as Howe hangs it up,” Detroit Free Press, 5 June 1980, pp. 1D and 7D.
