Fansided

5 greatest moments from Gordie Howe’s career

By Dave Stevenson

Nov 14, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; (Editors note: Caption correction) Gordie Howe is congratulated during the second period as the Vancouver Canucks host the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; (Editors note: Caption correction) Gordie Howe is congratulated during the second period as the Vancouver Canucks host the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Getty Images /

2. His Greatest Season

There is a ton of debate about which of Gordie Howe’s NHL season was his best one. A few of them stand out, but using Hockey Reference’s point share system, used to define how many standing points a player was worth, Howe’s greatest season came at the age of 24 during the 1952-53 season.

Back in 1953, the NHL season consisted of only 70 games. In those 70 games, Howe led the league in goals (49), assists (46), and points (95). His 0.70 goals per game and 1.36 points per game during that season both wound up being his career highs and his 0.66 assists per game rank among the best assists per game rates of his career.

During the postseason, Howe added two goals and five assists for seven points in six games. Including the postseason, Howe had 102 points in 76 games, which is an astonishing total considering the era that he played in.

Gordie Howe also won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player and the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in points. That was simply icing on the cake for one of the best seasons that an NHL player has ever had and Gordie Howe’s finest work of art. Howe had other terrific seasons, winning a total of six Hart Trophies and six Art Ross Trophies, but none were more terrific than his 1952-53 season.

Next: 1. Playing With His Sons

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