Gordie Howe New England Whalers Warm-Up Suit: GAMEWORNAUCTIONS.NET

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Gordie Howe New England Whalers Warm-Up Suit
Lot #106


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Gordie Howe New England Whalers Warm-Up Suit
Lot #106

This item comes from the personal collection of longtime New England/Hartford/Carolina equipment man Skip Cunningham.

The New England Whalers began play in 1972-73 as an original WHA franchise. They were one of the few to survive all 7 of the tumultuous WHA seasons and would eventually merge and join the NHL as the Hartford Whalers after the WHA’s collapse. Speaking of collapses, in 1978 the Whalers had to deal with the collapse of the Hartford Civic Center’s roof, forcing them to change venues for their home games. The team started out in the Boston Garden and actually won the WHA’s 1st Avco World Trophy behind the strong offense of Tom Webster, the team’s leading offensive weapon. The Whalers were again a force in year 2 of the league, but eventually succumbed in a 7-game semi final series to the Cinderella Chicago Cougars. Some of the Whalers home playoff games that year were played in the tiny Big E Coliseum in West Springfield MA, after the club was chased from the Boston Garden. The Whalers began play in 1974-75 in East Springfield until their own arena; the Hartford Civic Center was finally completed in January of 1975. The franchise added some major names to their roster in the later WHA years with the additions of Dave Keon and Gordie, Mark and Marty Howe.

This stunning dark green warm-up suit by Sand-Knit was worn by Gordie Howe while playing for the New England Whalers of the WHA. Affectionately known as Mr. Hockey, Howe is considered the greatest pre-expansion player ever, and in the minds of many the greatest of any era. In the now revered ‘The Hockey News’ book which ranked the 50 greatest players in NHL history. Gordie was honored as the 3rd greatest player in NHL history in that publication. Howe’s career NHL totals for goals 801 is 2nd to only Wayne Gretzky. His NHL point total of 1850 has only been surpassed by Gretzky and Messier. Gordie played an incredible 1767 NHL games, a record that will likely never be broken.

His NHL career spanned an amazing 26 seasons. After a 2-year retirement from hockey following the 1970-71 season, Howe, then in his mid 40’s, was lured back to professional hockey by the Houston Aeros of the WHA. Gordie quickly wiped away the rustiness with a 100 point effort in his 1st season back. He continued to play at a supremely high level through the remainder of the decade in the WHA. His WHA totals are impressive in their own right, with 508 points in 419 games played. Keep in mind that this was accomplished while in his mid 40’s to his early 50’s.

Following the 1978-79 season, the WHA’s last, the New England Whalers, Howe’s current WHA team, gained entry into the NHL as the Hartford Whalers. Then in his 50’s, Howe fulfilled a lifelong dream as he played in the NHL with his two sons, Mark and Marty. His final NHL season, while in his 50’s, was unlike that of many athletes who hang around too long. Gordie scored a productive 15 goals and 26 assists for 41 points.

He was 21 times a 1st or 2nd team NHL All Star as well as a 2 time 1st team WHA All Star. Howe was the winner of the Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States, 4 Stanley Cups, 6 Art Ross Trophies for leading the NHL in scoring, 6 Hart Memorial Trophies as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player and 1 Gary Davidson trophy as the WHA’s MVP. When you think of a power forward from hockey’s early days, this is the man that comes to mind. He had a pair of sharp elbows which earned him many of his 1687 NHL PIMS. He was as skilled and as tough as they came, a true legendary player.

On the left chest of the jacket is the Whalers logo as well as Gordie's full name and number "Gordie Howe 9". With Howe game worn items commanding such high prices, here is a chance to own a Gordie article without breaking the bank.