Marty Gordon Howe, born on February 18, 1954, is a Canadian-American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He is the son of Colleen and Gordie Howe, older brother of Mark Howe, and nephew of Vic Howe. Marty Howe's career spanned various leagues, including the World Hockey Association (WHA) and the National Hockey League (NHL).
Gordie Howe, Marty's father, was a legendary figure in hockey. Image source: Wikipedia
Early Career
As a youth, Howe played in the 1965 and 1966 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments along with his brother Mark, on the Detroit Roostertail minor ice hockey team. He started his junior career with the Toronto Marlboros of the OHA (now the OHL).
Joining the WHA
In 1973, Marty chose to join his father Gordie and brother Mark to play with the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association (WHA). In his first WHA season, Howe Sr. finished the year with 31 goals and 100 points, good enough for third in league scoring. He led the Aeros to an Avco World Trophy championship that year, as well, and the Aeros repeated as champions in 1975. For good measure, Howe also collected the Gary L. Davidson Award as regular-season MVP in his first WHA season.
The Houston Aeros team, where Marty Howe played alongside his father and brother. Image source: Pinterest
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NHL Draft and Career
Howe was drafted in the third round, 51st overall in the 1974 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens.
Coaching Career
From 2001 to 2006, he was an assistant coach for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL.
Family Legacy
The Howe family's impact on hockey is undeniable. Gordie Howe's achievements and playing style have been both celebrated and scrutinized. Son Marty has called him “the toughest, meanest guy I’ve ever seen on a pair of skates.” The Howe children penned themselves, does actually attempt to rationalize the punishment and pain that were such prominent parts of their father’s professional brand. “How can someone who’s so kind and soft-spoken at home become so remorseless once he puts on skates,” they ask.
Gordie Howe and Maurice Richard
SportsCentury: Maurice "Rocket" Richard
There was no bad blood between the two players. That myth began when Howe hit Richard coming across the line, and according to Howe, “he spun like a rocket and fell down.” Howe went on to explain, “He wasn’t hurt that much and I started to laugh.
In their 2000 book, 9: Maurice Richard, Reluctant Hero, Chris Goyens, Frank Orr, and Jean-Luce Duguay quote Richard near the end of his career. “Howe is a great player, the best I ever played against, but he should hustle more. He doesn’t seem to be trying as hard as he could. He was a better all-round player than I was, maybe the best ever.
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University of Denver
Howe grew up in Regina and played for his home town junior team, the Regina Pats. After a bid for a third title in his final season went unfulfilled, Howe matriculated south and began attending the University of Denver in 1957. Howe was one of many players used by teams like Denver or North Dakota who arrived from Canada as over-aged athletes (20 years old or more) and some in the conference, particularly Minnesota, took issue with that policy.
Marty Howe, now a junior, was a star of the team, the conference and college ice hockey as a whole when he was named as the most outstanding defenseman for Denver in 1960, named to the inaugural All-WCHA First Team, and earned the first of his two All-American honors. As an encore, Marty Howe helped Denver produce one of the most outstanding seasons in the history of college hockey.
Howe's team returned to the NCAA tournament as the heavy favorite and Denver did not disappoint. Denver dropped Minnesota 6-1 in the semifinal and then produced the most lopsided victory in NCAA championship history with a 12-2 drubbing of St.
Achievements at the University of Denver
- Two-time All-WCHA First Team honoree
- Seventh-leading goal-scorer among defensemen in Denver hockey history
- Second-fastest goal in DU record book (8 seconds into a WCHA battle)
- One of just 11 blueliners to net a hat trick in Denver hockey history
In 76 games as a Pioneer, Howe finished with 80 points on 32 goals and 48 assists.
Table: Key Stats and Achievements
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| All-WCHA First Team | Two-time honoree |
| Points as Pioneer | 80 points (32 goals, 48 assists) in 76 games |
| Fastest Goal | Scored 8 seconds into a WCHA battle |
| Hat Trick | One of 11 blueliners in Denver hockey history |
After graduating with a degree in accounting, Howe continued his playing career. He appeared briefly with the Pittsburgh Hornets before travelling west and spending several seasons in the Western Hockey League. Howe retired in 1964 but returned three years later as a member of the US National Team.
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