This Date in NHL History
by John Kreiser @jkreiser7713 / NHL.com Managing Editor
THIS DATE IN HISTORY: June 4
1980: At age 52, Gordie Howe retires again, this time for good.
Howe's first retirement, from the Detroit Red Wings after the 1970-71 season, lasts two years before he joins the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association, where he plays with sons Mark Howe and Marty Howe. All three Howes move to the New England Whalers in 1977, and Mr. Hockey returns to the NHL (with his sons) two years later when the franchise is one of four WHA teams admitted to the League.
Howe plays all 80 regular-season games for the now-Hartford Whalers in 1979-80, finishing with 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists). He scores a goal and has an assist in Hartford's three-game loss to the Montreal Canadiens in the Preliminary Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Howe retires as the NHL's all-time leader in games played (1,767), goals (801), assists (1,049), and points (1,850). Wayne Gretzky breaks Howe's three scoring records, but his mark for games played still stands.
Video: Memories: Gordie Howe scores his final playoff goal
MORE MOMENTS
1996: Patrick Roy passes Billy Smith to become the NHL's all-time leader in games played by a goalie in the playoffs when he appears in No.
133 and helps the Colorado Avalanche defeat the Florida Panthers 3-1 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final at McNichols Arena. Roy makes 25 saves, allowing only a first-period goal to Tom Fitzgerald, and the Avalanche score three times in a span of 3:49 in the second period.
1998: The Washington Capitals advance to the Cup Final for the first time since entering the NHL in 1974 when Joe Juneau scores at 6:24 of overtime for a 3-2 win against the Buffalo Sabres in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final at Marine Midland Arena. Sabres goalie Dominik Hasek stops a stuff attempt by Brian Bellows, but Juneau controls the loose puck and sends it under Hasek's glove. The Capitals tie the game 2-2 on a power-play goal by Peter Bondra with 5:59 remaining in the third period.
1999: Mike Keane scores twice in 4:05 span of the second period to help the Dallas Stars defeat the Avalanche 4-1 in Game 7 of the Western Conference Final at Reunion Arena. Ed Belfour makes 18 saves, allowing a third-period goal to Colorado's Joe Sakic after Dallas builds a 4-0 lead.
The win puts the Stars into the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1991, when they were the Minnesota North Stars.
2008: Nicklas Lidstrom becomes the first NHL captain born in Europe to hoist the Stanley Cup when the Detroit Red Wings defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in Game 6 of the Final at Mellon Arena to win the Cup for the fourth time since 1997. Henrik Zetterberg scores what proves to be the Cup-winning goal and wins the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. At age 46, Detroit defenseman Chris Chelios becomes the oldest player ever to win the Cup.
Video: Memories: Lidstrom first European captain to win Cup
2011: Alexandre Burrows scores 11 seconds into overtime to give the Vancouver Canucks a 3-2 victory against the Boston Bruins in Game 2 of the Final at Rogers Arena and a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 series. Burrows matches the second-fastest overtime goal in Stanley Cup Playoff history, equaling J.P. Parise of the New York Islanders in 1975.
Mark Recchi's second-period power-play goal gives Boston a 2-1 lead and puts the 43-year-old into the record book as the oldest player to score a goal in the Final.
2014: Justin Williams scores 4:36 into overtime to give the Los Angeles Kings a 3-2 win against the New York Rangers in Game 1 of the Final at Staples Center. Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi puts the puck on the stick of Kings center Mike Richards, who finds Williams alone in the slot for a shot that beats goalie Henrik Lundqvist to the stick side. It's the eighth goal of the 2014 playoffs for Williams; they've all come in Kings victories.
2016: The San Jose Sharks win a Stanley Cup Final game for the first time in their 25-year history when rookie Joonas Donskoi scores at 12:18 of overtime for a 3-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3 at SAP Center. Donskoi becomes the sixth rookie to score an overtime goal in the Final when he circles the net and beats Matt Murray over the shoulder to the short side.
San Jose goalie Martin Jones gives Donskoi the chance to be the overtime hero by making 40 saves.
Video: PIT@SJS, Gm3: Donskoi goes top-shelf to win Game 3
2018: The Washington Capitals move within one victory of winning the Stanley Cup for the first time since entering the NHL in 1974 by defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 6-2 in Game 4 of the Final at Capital One Arena. Evgeny Kuznetsov assists on four goals for the Capitals, who win for the third straight time after losing the opener of the best-of-7 series.
Video: Caps down Knights, move one win away from taking Cup
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Gordie Howe, recognized as the greatest NHL player who ever lived, died Friday. Howe, affectionately known around the world as "Mr. Hockey," was 88.
Here is a look back at his life and illustrious career:
March 31, 1928 -- Howe is born in Floral, Saskatchewan.
1943 -- Howe is offered a tryout with the New York Rangers. He is 15 years old.
1944 -- Howe receives a tryout with the Detroit Red Wings and is signed to a contract by coach/general manager Jack Adams.
1945 -- After being signed by the Red Wings, Howe joins the Omaha Knights of the United States Hockey League. In his only season there, the 17-year-old has 22 goals and 26 assists in 51 games.
Oct. 16, 1946 -- Howe plays his first NHL game. He had seven goals and 15 assists in 58 games in the 1946-47 season.
1947-48 -- Howe switches from No. 17 to the iconic No. 9 he wore for remainder of his career.
March 28, 1950 -- Howe sustains a career-threatening injury during a Stanley Cup Playoff game when he collides with Ted Kennedy of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The force causes a fractured skull, a concussion, and a broken cheekbone and nose. The injuries left Howe in critical condition for several days.
April 23, 1950 -- An injured Howe wins the Stanley Cup for the first of four times when the Red Wings defeat the Rangers in seven games.
1950-51 -- Howe returns the following season and leads the NHL in goals (43), assists (43) and points (86) in 70 games.
April 10, 1952 -- Howe scores two goals in a 3-1 Stanley Cup Final victory against the Montreal Canadiens.
April 15, 1952 -- Howe wins the Stanley Cup for a second time in a four-game sweep of the Canadiens. Howe was awarded the Hart Trophy as League MVP for the first of four times later that spring.
1953 -- Howe marries his girlfriend of two years, Colleen Joffa.
April 16, 1954 -- Howe wins the Stanley Cup for a third time in five years, helping the Red Wings to a seven-game victory against the Canadiens.
April 14, 1955 -- Howe wins the Stanley Cup for a fourth time in six years, and the final one of his career, when Detroit defeats Montreal in seven games.
Video: 1955 Cup Final, Gm7: Gordie's game-winning goal
1958 -- Howe is named Red Wings captain, a role he would occupy through 1962.
Jan. 17, 1960 -- Howe, 31, scores two goals and one assist and passes Montreal Canadiens legend Maurice "Rocket" Richard for the most points in NHL history (950).
Nov. 26, 1961 -- Howe plays his 1,000th game in the NHL.
March 14, 1962 -- Howe becomes the second player in NHL history to score 500 goals.
Nov. 10, 1963 -- Howe breaks Richard's record with his 545th NHL goal.
Nov. 27, 1965 -- Howe scores his 600th NHL goal.
Dec. 4, 1968 -- Howe scores his 700th NHL goal.
1969-70 -- Howe finishes with 71 points to rank No. 9 on the NHL scoring list, the first time in 21 years he was not in the top five.
Sept. 8, 1971 -- Howe announces his retirement after 25 years with the Red Wings. He is 43 years old.
March 12, 1972 -- The Red Wings retire Howe's No. 9.
June 7, 1972 -- Howe is inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
June 5, 1973 -- Howe comes out of retirement and signs with the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association.
1973-74 -- Howe scores 31 goals and has 69 assists in 70 games for Houston. It's his first of four seasons there.
May 19, 1974 -- Howe wins the Avco Cup, the WHA championship, for the first time. Later that spring, he was named League MVP.
May 12, 1975 -- Howe wins the Avco Cup again when Houston defeats the Quebec Nordiques in four games.
1977 -- Howe signs with the WHA's New England Whalers.
Dec. 7, 1977 -- Scores the 1,000th goal of his career in a 6-3 win against the Birmingham Bulls.
Oct. 11, 1979 -- Howe returns to the NHL with the Hartford Whalers in the NHL-WHA merger. His sons, Mark Howe and Marty Howe, are teammates.
Video: Gordie Howe, 51, returns to NHL with Hartford Whalers
Feb. 29, 1980 -- Howe scores his 800th NHL goal.
April 11, 1980 -- At 52 years and 10 days, Howe plays his final game and becomes the oldest person to ever play.
June 4, 1980 -- Howe announces his retirement.
Oct. 3, 1997 -- Howe plays one shift for the Detroit Vipers in the International Hockey League, extending his record of consecutive decades played to six.
March 28, 2016 -- Four days before his 88th birthday, Howe appears at a Red Wings-Buffalo Sabres game at Joe Louis Arena, where he is presented with a cake as the crowd sings "Happy Birthday" to him.
June 10, 2016 -- Howe dies at age 88.
Recognized as the greatest hockey player in NHL history, Gordie Howe died on Friday. Mr. Howe, who was called Mr. Hockey, was 88 years old.
Below are the main milestones in the life and distinguished career of the departed legend:
March 31, 1928 - Howe was born in Floral, Saskatchewan.
1943 - 15-year-old Howe offered probation with the New York Rangers.
1944 - Howe tries out for the Detroit Red Wings and signs with coach/general manager Jack Adams.
1945 - After signing with the Red Wings, Howe joins the Omaha Knights of the United States Hockey League. In his only season at the club, 17-year-old Howe played 51 games, scoring 22 goals and 26 assists.
October 16, 1946 - Howe makes his NHL debut. In 58 meetings of the 1946-47 season, he scored seven goals and 15 assists.
1947-48 - Howe changes number from 17 to the legendary number 9, which he will wear for the rest of his career.
March 28, 1950 - During the Stanley Cup playoffs, he faces Ted Kennedy of the Toronto Maple Leafs and suffers a career-threatening injury. As a result of the collision, he receives a fracture of the bones of the skull, a concussion, a broken jaw and nose. Due to injuries, Howe has been in critical condition for several days.
April 23, 1950 - An injured Howe wins the first of four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings, defeating the New York Rangers in seven games.
1950-51 - Howe returns to the ice and leads the NHL in goals (43), assists (43) and points (86) in 70 games.
April 10, 1952 - Howe scores two goals in a 3-1 Stanley Cup final game against the Montreal Canadiens.
April 15, 1952 - Howe wins the Stanley Cup for the second time, beating the Canadiens in four games. That spring, Howe was awarded the Hart Trophy for the league's most valuable player for the first time in four.
1953 - Howe marries Colleen Joffa, a girl he dated for two years.
April 16, 1954 - Howe wins his third Stanley Cup in five years, helping Detroit beat the Canadiens in seven games.
April 14, 1955 - Howe wins the Stanley Cup for the fourth time in six years, and the last time of his career. “Red Wings” again in seven games beat “Montreal”.
1958 - Howe named Detroit captain until 1962 years old.
January 17, 1960 - 31-year-old Howe scores a double, one assist and passes Canadiens legend Maurice "The Rocket" Richard in NHL points (950).
November 26, 1961 - Howe makes his 1,000th NHL game.
March 14, 1962 - Howe becomes the second player in league history to score 500 goals.
November 10, 1963 - Howe breaks Richard's record with his 545th NHL goal.
November 27 1965 - Howe scores 600th NHL goal.
December 4, 1968 - Howe scores his 700th NHL goal.
1969-70 - Howe scores 71 points this season and is ninth in the scoring race, missing the top five for the first time in 21 years.
September 8, 1971 - Howe announces his retirement after 25 years with the Red Wings. He is 43 years old.
March 12, 1972 - The Red Wings retire number nine.
June 7, 1972 - Howe is inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
June 5, 1973 - Howe resumes his career and signs with the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association.
1973-74 - Howe scored 31 goals and 69 assists in 70 games for Houston. This is his first of four seasons with Aeros.
May 19, 1974 - Howe wins the Avco Cup, the WHA's main trophy, for the first time. He would later be named the most valuable player in the league.
May 12, 1975 - Howe wins the Avco Cup again. In the final, Houston beat the Quebec Nordiques in four games.
1977 - Howe signs with the WHA New England Whalers.
December 7, 1977 - Howe scores his 1,000th career goal in a 6-3 win against the Birmingham Bulls.
October 11, 1979 - Howe returns to the NHL with the Hartford Whalers in the NHL-WHA merger. His sons Mark and Marty play with him on the same team.
February 29, 1980 - Howe scores his 800th career goal.
April 11, 1980 - At 52 years and 10 days old, Howe plays his last NHL game and becomes the oldest player in history.
June 4, 1980 - Howe announces his retirement.
October 3, 1997 - Howe plays one shift for the Detroit Vipers in the International Hockey League, extending his hockey career to six decades.
Komsomolskaya Pravda
ATITORPORT: Hockey
Sergey Chernykh
June 10, 2016 19:00
Our Columnist recalls the legendary hockey player, who left us for 89 years of life
of his career stretched out for 35 years Photo: REUTERS
- ... And still not enough for life, - Khazanov Ozerova parodied in the 70s, - he plays, and makes children. Children, instead of learning and expanding their horizons, rush around the playground, get into a fight with our guys. We don't need this kind of hockey!
Soviet hockey players of those times retired at 32-33. Starshinov, who returned to Spartak at 36, was famously beaten up by the same Ozerov. And here - the new North American WHA league, whose teams got into the habit of coming on tour to the USSR. Houston Aeros, Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, Washington Ost... Who remembers them now? And now in the first two - a small gray-haired 45-year-old right striker.
His career spanned 35 years. His main club is the Detroit Red Wings (NHL), where he hung up his skates. First - "Mr. Elbows." Then, when another coach (how many of them did he have?) advised to change his playing image due to advanced years, he became a gentleman and "Mr. Hockey".
In 1974, the family (Gordy with his sons Martin and Mark) played for the WHA team on a world tour. At Hartford, there was generally a great three - Howe-Hull-Keon - the average age is 44 years.
His number 9 has been retired by three clubs: Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Houston Airus. A special type of hat-trick is named after him - the "Gordie Howe hat-trick" - this is when in one match he scored a goal, made an assist and participated in a fight.
B 1997, the last time he went on the ice as part of the Detroit Vipers of the International Hockey League. Through this match, it is believed that Howe played hockey for six decades.
Stanley Cup Winner - 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955 NHL and WHA playoffs: 2,421.
