Saskatoon Sun
October 3, 1993. p.28
By Ned Powers
SOME OF SASKATOON'S LANDMARKS were still recognizable when Gordie Howe and his wife, Colleen, returned to Saskatoon for some spirited celebrations last weekend.
As he stood on a cold, windy corner for the unveiling of Michael Margin's bronze, life-sized statue of the hockey hero on Saturday afternoon, Howe had to be reflecting about the change in scenery since his boyhood days.
Gone, for instance, are the CN railway tracks which represented a lifeline to the community but, nevertheless, created an eastside-westside division.
Gone is the overhead wooden bridge which was situated 30 feet above the tracks and provided an east-west flow for pedestrians of 20th Street.
(And how many times did Howe, with skates and hockey stick, cross that bridge en route from his King George area home to the Arena?)
Gone is the Arena, built on 19th Street during Depression days and once the symbol of hockey at its best. (And how many times did Howe skate on that surface, from school days through minor hockey and then with the Saskatoon Lions juniors?)
The beauty of the tribute to Howe, by Saskatoon's Spirit of Service Committee, is that the Martin sculpture stands in an area which was so familiar to Howe as a youngster.
For those who knew, saw or remembered a younger Howe, the selection of the site enriches the memories and heightens the myths of a boy who came out of Saskatoon to become a hockey legend.
IF THE WEEKEND TRIBUTE established anything, it was that Howe is a hero to people of many ages, that he hasn't lost his genuine affection for the community nor his boyish charm and ability to mix with people.
No one will ever know how many autographs he signed on the weekend. He's always signed, whether it was in the aftermath of a National Hockey League game in another team's building, on a street corner or at a public function.
It is remarkable that here is a man, 65 years old and a few years removed from patrolling the ice lanes, who still commands the respect he does. Many players, unfortunately, get lost in the shuffle once their playing days are over. Their memories live on with only those who lived the era. Howe's memories grow from generation-to-generation. Howe remains widely known as Mr. Hockey in today's generation even though television cameras do immense selling jobs on the Gretzkys, Lemieuxs and Roys.
Howe has done much to keep a visibility near the game. Two of his sons followed him into the NHL. He's been affiliated with a couple of teams in an administrative role. The sports card phenomena helps. And he's shown an ongoing interest in the game.
As a public speaker, Howe has to be in demand. Once the shy youngster from the Prairies, he demonstrates as a speaker that he collects his thoughts well, can shoot from the hip, can mix humor into his presentation and gives his audiences full value.
During three whirlwind days in Saskatoon, Howe was visibly moved. It's something to reflect on how friends in Saskatoon influenced his early life. But it's really rewarding that here's still a glow of adoration from old and new friends, many of whom knew him only by reputation until the past weekend's encounters.
