'It seemed like Gordie was going to live forever': sports reporter remembers Mr. Hockey

Saskatchewan sports reporter Darrell Davis is remembering Gordie Howe, alsoknown as "Mr. Hockey." Thehockey legend, who grew up in Saskatoon,died in Ohio this morning at the age of 88.

The reporter'sdad,LorneDavis, played withHowein Detroit in the1950s.

He was a teammate and opponent ofHowe, who helped Detroit win the Stanley Cup four times in six seasons.

Davis also won his ownStanley cup with the MontrealCanadiens. Eventually, he went on to be ascout with the St. Louis Blues and the Edmonton Oilers.

• Gordie Howe dies at 88

Immersed in the hockey world, hecontinuedto literally rub elbows with Howe, Davis said.

Daviscompared Gordie Howe to the recently fallenboxer and activistMuhammad Ali.

"They spoke to the people who really looked up to them," he said, remembering Howe as a man whoviewedhimself as alucky farmer from Saskatchewan.

Davis said he saw Howe as invincible, even though people"kind of knew it was coming."

"It seemed like Gordie was going to live forever."

Last year, Howe returned to his old stomping grounds inSaskatoon for a banquet in his honour.

It was the famous hockey player's first public appearance after he suffered a series of strokes.

Davis was there and said even today, people are still talking about Howe's presence.

"He could barely speak, but he still had that little smile on his face," Davis said.

He added that whileHowe was getting his picture taking with little kids, he would giggle and elbow them.

"You'd think, 'aha, he's still got it!'"

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According to Davis, his dad said Howe was the "perfect teammate" because hewas an all-the-time, all-around player.

Davisnoted thehall-of-famercould score goals, play cleanly, but he wouldn't hesitate to get rough if the situation called for it.

While reminiscing, Davis told a story told to him by Vic Howe, Gordie's younger brother.

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According to Vic, when hisbrotherwas growing up in Saskatoon, he usually played as a goalie.

Davis wondered just how different hockey history would be ifHowedidn't leave the net.