The Wings Walk
Mr. Hockey: The greatest Red Wing of all time.
Gordie Howe (March 31, 1928 – June 10, 2016) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. From 1946 to 1980, he played 26 seasons in the NHL and six seasons in the WHA; his first 25 seasons were spent with the Detroit Red Wings. Nicknamed "Mr. Hockey", Howe is often considered the most complete player ever to play the game and one of the greatest of all time.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Outside Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
- Dedication date
- 2017
- Honoree count
- Over 30 stars representing players and contributors
- Key figures honored
- Gordie Howe
- Nicklas Lidstrom
- Steve Yzerman
- Sid Abel
- Affiliation
- Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
- Status
- Active public attraction
Lore & Background
Howe made his NHL debut with the Red Wings in 1946. He won the Art Ross Trophy six times, led the NHL in goal-scoring four times, and won the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings four times. He won six Hart Trophies as the NHL's most valuable player. He set an NHL record for points in a season (95) in 1953. He led the NHL in playoff points six times.
Reader's Guide
Howe retired for the first time in 1971 and was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame that same year. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame the following year but came back two years later to join his sons on the Houston Aeros of the WHA. He scored over 100 points twice in six years, won two straight Avco World Trophies (1974 and 1975), and was named most valuable player in 1974. He was traded to the New England Whalers in 1977, where he became the first player to play a professional hockey game at age 50 and score 1,000 career goals. When the Whalers joined the NHL, Howe played for the team, becoming the oldest person to play in an NHL game. He retired weeks after turning 52.
Did You Know?
- Howe is the only player to have competed in the NHL in five different decades (1940s through 1980s).
- He became the namesake of the "Gordie Howe hat trick": a goal, an assist, and a fight in the same game, though he only recorded two such games in his career.
- He was the inaugural recipient of the NHL Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
- Howe scored 975 regular season goals and 96 playoff goals across two professional leagues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Wings Walk?
It is a tribute plaza located outside Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit that honors the franchise's greatest players and contributors. Bronze stars embedded in the pavement commemorate retired numbers and Hall of Fame inductees associated with the team.
Where can I find The Wings Walk?
You will find this attraction situated directly outside Little Caesars Arena, serving as a gathering spot for fans before games begin. It acts as a physical bridge connecting the team's history at Joe Louis Arena to its current home.
Who is honored on The Wings Walk?
Over 30 stars represent legends such as Gordie Howe, Nicklas Lidstrom, Steve Yzerman, and Sid Abel who defined Detroit hockey history. These figures include Hall of Fame inductees and other significant contributors to the Red Wings legacy.
When was The Wings Walk dedicated?
The plaza was officially dedicated in 2017 as part of the transition to the new arena venue. It continues to serve as an active public attraction celebrating over a century of hockey excellence for the franchise.
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