Hockey legend Gordie Howe has died after a lengthy illness. He was 88 years old.
Howe, a.k.a. "Mr. Hockey," had been struggling with health issues since suffering a stroke back in 2014. The stroke left him unable to walk and barely able to speak.
Howe was born in Floral, Saskatchewan on March 31, 1928. He began playing organized hockey at eight years old and left Saskatoon at the age of sixteen to pursue his hockey career.
He earned his infamous nickname "Mr. Hockey" for his lengthy career that included 25 years as a Detroit Red Wing, four Stanley Cup championships, six Hart Trophies as the league's most valuable player, and numerous records. Known for his prolific goal-scoring ability and his physical play, Howe played his first NHL game on October 16, 1946 at the age of 18. Howe retired in 1971 and was awarded the Order of Canada, the country's highest civil honor. The following year he was inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame.
Howe is survived by his three sons and a daughter. His wife, Colleen, died in 2009.
