Three Ways Wayne Gretzky Had Paid Tribute To Gordie Howe This Weekend
Photo credit: Essentially Sports
During Alex Ovechkin's Gr8 Chase, we should examine the actions of Wayne Gretzky, who throughout the process of passing the torch acted with class, and paid tribute to one of the greatest Red Wings ever, Gordie Howe.
Sunday, Wayne Gretzky made sure he was in attendance during the Washington Capitals game against the New York Islanders. The game that would clinch the new record set by Ovechkin.
He'd be present to pass the torch as Ovechkin has pushed the NHL to greater heights as a result of his play. But before him, Gretzky had someone else following him, an NHL legend, Gordie Howe.
His conduct during this entire Gr8 Chase felt like a tribute to a man who'd influenced his game significantly as a hockey player.
Here are three ways he conducted himself like a class act, in tribute to Howe.
Gretzky Was Present
It's not often in the sports world that previous record holders were present during the recording clinching game to celebrate with the person breaking the record. Howe did this for Gretzky, and Beliveau before him.
Gretzky has kept this ceremony intact, and it is a testament to the impact Howe has had on the game in memory.
"When I was breaking Gordie Howe's record, he was there," said Gretzky. "And I said 2 years ago that if Alex gets close to my record, I'll be here.
Tribute To Howe
Gretzky found a subtle, but classy way of paying tribute to Howe. As we know, he wore the jersey #99 his entire career, but as he followed Ovechkin on his path to 895 he on his attire we saw him wear a pin for #9.
A heartfelt tribute to Gordie, whose name is etched in the history books and had a huge impact on Gretzky himself.
The Gretzky Family Kept A Tradition Alive From The Howe Family
During the broadcast, Wayne Gretzky would share a story that illustrated the admiration he had for Gordie Howe and his family. Gretzky would make an effort to keep a tradition from Colleen Howe alive with an emotional gesture on Sunday.
"Colleen Howe had bought my wife a beautiful bracelet," revealed Gretzky describing the moment he broke Gordie Howe's record. "A month ago my wife said 'You know Colleen Howe started a tradition here, I'm not sure somebody is gonna break Alex's record but I wanna get her something really unique.' So we went out and she picked out an eight-diamond ring for Alex's wife. Not only do the hockey guys pass down traditions but so do the families and wives and I thought it was so cool that my wife followed that. It was an amazing day."
The Gretzky family's gesture shows how great this sport is when superstars pass the torch from one another.
The class displayed by all involved was amazing, and shows why the NHL continues to build legacies, and Ovechkin's is just beginning.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 6 | 191 ANSWERS Three Ways Wayne Gretzky Had Paid Tribute To Gordie Howe This Weekend Do you think anyone will beat forward Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals' new All-Time Goals Scored Record? | ||
| Yes | 89 | 46.6 % |
| No | 102 | 53.4 % |
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