Murray Wood: Of Easter bunny bells and Juicy Fruit gum
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Former players are remembering the life and legendary career of Gordie Howe.
One of those players is former NHL goaltender and Moose Jaw native Ed Staniowski, who said growing up Mr Hockey was a player he looked up to.
“I don’t think that there was a young player in Saskatchewan who wouldn’t know the name and know of the markers that were part of Gordie’s career.”
Staniowski got the chance during his career to play against Howe when he was with the St. Louis Blues and Howe was playing with his sons for the Hartford Whalers.
“Gordie scored two goals on me, I remember them well, I can’t remember if it was Mark or Marty was in Hartford, had the puck in the corner and got it out front to Gordie who was in front of the net for the first one and in the blink of an eye it was behind me.”
Staniowski got the chance to know Howe in a different sense later on in his career when he was traded to Hartford and Howe was working for the team in the front office.
Staniowski said Howe would still get out and skate with the team, he also recalled when Howe got on the ice with Staniowski’s young nephews.
“(He) put one of my nephews, the nine year old, on his left wing and the other one, the eight year old on his right wing and they did line rushes together, and those boys are in their 30s now and they still talk about that.”
Howe will be laid to rest on Wednesday in Detroit at Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
