You can ask just about anyone that knows the sport of hockey on a rudimentary level who the greatest player to ever “lace ’em up” was. Good chance they’ll all say former Detroit Red Wings superstar Gordie Howe. Even some legendary players themselves would concur on that fact. Mr. Hockey cemented himself in hockey history with a milestone he reached 57 years ago today.
THIS DATE IN 1960: @DetroitRedWings legend Gordie Howe became the first player in NHL history to reach 1,000 points.
More TDIH: https://t.co/ee5LDr8AjH #NHL100 pic.twitter.com/5PRxqhEYiK
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 27, 2017
On this day in 1960, Gordie Howe became the first player in League history to register 1,000 points. #NHL100 https://t.co/mIgRuFummc
— NHL (@NHL) November 27, 2017
November 27, 1960, Gordie Howe became the first ever player in NHL history to break 1000 points. He assisted on Howie Glover’s goal in a 2-0 Red Wings victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was Howe’s 938th career game.
Fast forward five years to 1965, a game against the Montreal Canadiens, and we have Gordie scoring the 600th goal of his career. Even if it ended up being a 3-2 loss for Detroit, Howe was the first in league history to reach 600 goals in a career. They don’t call him Mr. Hockey for nothing.
And finally, four years later in 1969, Howe completed the milestone date hat trick against the L.A. Kings. He notched two assists in a 5-1 victory against the Kings to become the first ever player to reach 1700 career points. It was his 1567th career game. (1.08 points per game)
You’d be hard pressed to find a player with the same level of grit as Gordie Howe, who also had the scoring touch that he possessed. We miss you dearly, Mr. Hockey!
