One of the long-standing icons of the Detroit Red Wings and the NHL is Hall of Famer Gordie Howe.
Three years after his arrival, Gordie began to show the prowess that would make him the most recognized athlete in Detroit for nearly 60 years.
Howe’s performance, along with Ted Lindsay, Red Kelly, Sid Abel, Terry Sawchuk, and several other Hall of Famers built Detroit into a league powerhouse in the six-team NHL and beyond.
So prominent was the presence of No. 9 that his influence spanned six decades, and if not for a pivotal decision by his former Production Line partner, Ted Lindsay, things in Detroit could have been entirely different today.
Lindsay, maybe the second most popular Red Wing ever, made the decision in 1977 not to pursue bringing the Howe family, including Mark Howe, back to the Motor City from the WHA Houston Aeros.
The Red Wings would have had to give up their No. 1 overall draft choice, which turned out to be Dale McCourt, to acquire the rights to Mark Howe from the Boston Bruins, and also agree to allow Gordie and Mark’s brother, Marty, spots on the team.
All three played together ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Warren Shaw
What If Ted Lindsay Had Traded Dale McCourt for Mark Howe?
August 21st, 2010 by Warren Shaw Leave a reply »
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