R.I.P. Mr. Hockey

There is a theory that celebrities die in threes. With the passing of Muhammad Ali and Kimbo Slice the world wondered who'd be the unlucky third, but now we have our answer - Gordie "Mr. Hockey" Howe. Gordie Howe is a legend, still the NHL record holder for most games played (1,767) and seasons played (26), not counting his 419 games played through 6 seasons in the Western Hockey Association during the twilight of his career. Also not included are his 157 NHL and 78 WHA playoff games. What's even more impressive about the longevity of Howe's career is how productive he was. Howe tallied 801 regular seasons goals and 1049 assists for 1850 career NHL regular season points. He also managed to tack on an additional 68 goals and 92 assists for 160 career playoff points. Even in the final season of his playing career, at the ripe old age of 52, Howe scored 15 goals and added 26 helpers for 41 points in 80 games for the Hartford Whalers (also RIP) that year....oh and he also racked up 42 penalty minutes. Howe was the quintessential hockey player, he could score, pass, and most importantly...fight. Howe racked up 1,685 regular season and an additional 220 playoff penalty minutes throughout his 26 year NHL tenure, and added an additional 514 during his time in the WHA - numbers that make goons today blush. Everyone is familiar with a "Gordie Howe Hat Trick," the prestigious honor bestowed upon a player who can record a goal, an assist, and a fight all in the same game. The fact that Howe is the namesake for such an accomplishment not only sums up his playing style but also his attitude. Players like Gordie Howe come along maybe once in a generation and he will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.