Colleen Howe
Encyclopedia
Colleen Joffa Howe was a sports agent who founded Power Play International and Power Play Publications to manage the business interests of her husband, Hall of Fame
hockey player Gordie Howe
, as well as those of her sons Marty
and Mark
. She was married to Gordie for 55 years. As a civic leader, she brought the first Junior A hockey team to the United States, built the first indoor rink for public use in Michigan, and ran for Congress
. In 2000, as "Mrs. Hockey", Howe received the Wayne Gretzky Award from the United States Hockey Hall of Fame
, along with her husband (known as "Mr. Hockey") and their two sons Mark and Marty.
, the first Junior A hockey team in the United States. She served as general manager for three years and formed Power Play International to manage Gordie, Marty and Mark's business interests. She registered her husband's name (Gordie Howe), nickname
(Mr. Hockey), and her own nickname (Mrs. Hockey) as trademark
s. She was instrumental in the construction of Michigan's first indoor ice hockey rink, named the Gordie Howe Hockeyland arena, located in the Detroit suburb of St. Clair Shores. She was named Sportswoman of the Year in Detroit in 1972, followed by Michigan Sportswoman of the Year in 1973. The Colleen J. Howe Arena in Sandusky, Michigan was named in her honour. The Colleen & Gordie Howe Middle School, Abbotsford, British Columbia
, British Columbia
and the Howe Arena in Traverse City, Michigan
are also named in their honour. Howe established the 65-city 65th birthday Gordie Howe tribute tour and the Howe Foundation which supported charities. Howe was also the proud recipient of the The Hartford Chamber of Commerce award for outstanding community achievement in 1979.
Her son, Mark Howe was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
2003. The Howe family—Gordie, Colleen, Mark, and Marty—received the Wayne Gretzky Award in 2000.
Re: Re Howe and U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
Monday, March 9, 2009 10:38 AM
From:
"Hall Info" info@ushockeyhallmuseum.com
Mark Howe was Inducted in 2003. His Family, Gordie, Colleen, Mark and Marty, received the Wayne Gretzky Award in 2000.
Mrs. Howe is NOT Inducted in the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Museum, only her son, Mark. (It is frequently—but erroneously—reported that she was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. Such reports are probably intended to refer to the Gretzky Award.)
Colleen Howe has stated in an open letter: "Both Gordie and I stem from humble, rural origins. We have been fortunate to see the positive effects hockey has had on our lives, our family’s lives and the lives of millions of others".
Howe's most remarkable negotiation as sports agent occurred in 1973, when she brought Gordie out of retirement and arranged for Mark, Marty, and Gordie to all play together on the Houston Aeros
. The three later played together for the Hartford Whalers
.
In 1982, Colleen Howe was the Republican
candidate for Congress
from Connecticut's
first congressional district, losing to incumbent
Democrat
Barbara Kennelly.
, at a Detroit bowling alley, Lucky Strike Lanes, when Gordie was playing for the Detroit Red Wings
. They later married on April 15, 1953. Gordie Howe is considered one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time.
The Howes had four children: Marty
, Mark
, Murray, and Cathy. Mark Howe started his professional hockey career at the age of 18 in the WHA
and went on to become an all-star
defenseman in the NHL; he is currently a pro scout for the Detroit Red Wings. Marty Howe played initially for the WHA at 19; he later changed careers and became a home builder and designer. Murray studied medicine and is currently a doctor.
, an incurable neurological disease that causes dementia and died Friday, March 6, 2009, aged 76, in the family home at Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
. Her son, Murray, who diverged from the family's footsteps to become a doctor, helped treat Howe during her ordeal with Pick's disease. Howe is survived by nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. Red Wings general manager Ken Holland held a moment of silence before the Detroit Red Wings
' game against the Columbus Blue Jackets
on March 7. When a picture of Howe and Gordie lit up the scoreboard, fans responded with a standing ovation at the Friday, March 6, 2009 Vancouver Giants
' game against the Calgary Hitmen
at the Pacific Coliseum
.
After the Applause (published in 1989), followed by When the Final Buzzer Sounds (published in 2000). A 20th Century Hockey Chronicle co-written by Howe and Gordie was published in 1994. And ...Howe!: An Authorized Autobiography was written together by the Howes and Tom Delisle and released in 1995. The final joint venture between Howe and Gordie was You Read to Me & I'll Read to You: 20th-Century Stories to Share which came out in print in 2001. Charities were supported by proceeds from the sales of her books.
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
hockey player Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...
, as well as those of her sons Marty
Marty Howe
Marty Gordon Howe is a former professional ice hockey defenseman. Howe was drafted in the third round, 51st overall in the 1974 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. From 2001 to 2006, he was an assistant coach for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL...
and Mark
Mark Howe
Mark Steven Howe is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League and 6 seasons in the World Hockey Association . He is the son of Colleen and Gordie Howe, and early in his career was a teammate of his father...
. She was married to Gordie for 55 years. As a civic leader, she brought the first Junior A hockey team to the United States, built the first indoor rink for public use in Michigan, and ran for Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
. In 2000, as "Mrs. Hockey", Howe received the Wayne Gretzky Award from the United States Hockey Hall of Fame
United States Hockey Hall of Fame
The United States Hockey Hall of Fame was established in 1973 with the goal of preserving the rich history of the game in the United States while recognizing the extraordinary contributions of select players, coaches, administrators, officials and teams....
, along with her husband (known as "Mr. Hockey") and their two sons Mark and Marty.
Professional career
Howe was one of the founders of the Detroit Junior Red WingsDetroit Jr. Red Wings (SOJHL)
The Detroit Jr. Red Wings are a defunct Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey team that was based out of Detroit, Michigan. They played out of the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League and were the feeder team for the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings....
, the first Junior A hockey team in the United States. She served as general manager for three years and formed Power Play International to manage Gordie, Marty and Mark's business interests. She registered her husband's name (Gordie Howe), nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
(Mr. Hockey), and her own nickname (Mrs. Hockey) as trademark
Trademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
s. She was instrumental in the construction of Michigan's first indoor ice hockey rink, named the Gordie Howe Hockeyland arena, located in the Detroit suburb of St. Clair Shores. She was named Sportswoman of the Year in Detroit in 1972, followed by Michigan Sportswoman of the Year in 1973. The Colleen J. Howe Arena in Sandusky, Michigan was named in her honour. The Colleen & Gordie Howe Middle School, Abbotsford, British Columbia
Abbotsford, British Columbia
Abbotsford is a Canadian city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, adjacent to Greater Vancouver. It is the fifth largest municipality in British Columbia, home to 123,864 people . Its Census Metropolitan Area, which includes the District of Mission, is the 23rd largest in Canada,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
and the Howe Arena in Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Grand Traverse County, although a small portion extends into Leelanau County. It is the largest city in the 21-county Northern Michigan region. The population was 14,674 at the 2010 census, with 143,372 in the Traverse...
are also named in their honour. Howe established the 65-city 65th birthday Gordie Howe tribute tour and the Howe Foundation which supported charities. Howe was also the proud recipient of the The Hartford Chamber of Commerce award for outstanding community achievement in 1979.
Her son, Mark Howe was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
United States Hockey Hall of Fame
The United States Hockey Hall of Fame was established in 1973 with the goal of preserving the rich history of the game in the United States while recognizing the extraordinary contributions of select players, coaches, administrators, officials and teams....
2003. The Howe family—Gordie, Colleen, Mark, and Marty—received the Wayne Gretzky Award in 2000.
Re: Re Howe and U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
Monday, March 9, 2009 10:38 AM
From:
"Hall Info" info@ushockeyhallmuseum.com
Mark Howe was Inducted in 2003. His Family, Gordie, Colleen, Mark and Marty, received the Wayne Gretzky Award in 2000.
Mrs. Howe is NOT Inducted in the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Museum, only her son, Mark. (It is frequently—but erroneously—reported that she was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. Such reports are probably intended to refer to the Gretzky Award.)
Colleen Howe has stated in an open letter: "Both Gordie and I stem from humble, rural origins. We have been fortunate to see the positive effects hockey has had on our lives, our family’s lives and the lives of millions of others".
Howe's most remarkable negotiation as sports agent occurred in 1973, when she brought Gordie out of retirement and arranged for Mark, Marty, and Gordie to all play together on the Houston Aeros
Houston Aeros (WHA)
The Houston Aeros were a professional ice hockey team in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1978.-Franchise history:The Aeros became one of the original franchises in the World Hockey Association when the Dayton Arrows franchise was moved to Houston in 1972...
. The three later played together for the Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
.
In 1982, Colleen Howe was the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
candidate for Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
from Connecticut's
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
first congressional district, losing to incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Barbara Kennelly.
Family life
Colleen Howe was born as Colleen Joffa, an only child, in Sandusky, Michigan. Following her parents' divorce, her mother, along with an aunt and uncle, were responsible for her upbringing. Eventually her mother re-married. During the 1951–52 NHL season (some sources say in 1950), Colleen met her future husband, Gordie HoweGordie Howe
Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...
, at a Detroit bowling alley, Lucky Strike Lanes, when Gordie was playing for the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
. They later married on April 15, 1953. Gordie Howe is considered one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time.
The Howes had four children: Marty
Marty Howe
Marty Gordon Howe is a former professional ice hockey defenseman. Howe was drafted in the third round, 51st overall in the 1974 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. From 2001 to 2006, he was an assistant coach for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL...
, Mark
Mark Howe
Mark Steven Howe is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League and 6 seasons in the World Hockey Association . He is the son of Colleen and Gordie Howe, and early in his career was a teammate of his father...
, Murray, and Cathy. Mark Howe started his professional hockey career at the age of 18 in the WHA
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
and went on to become an all-star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
defenseman in the NHL; he is currently a pro scout for the Detroit Red Wings. Marty Howe played initially for the WHA at 19; he later changed careers and became a home builder and designer. Murray studied medicine and is currently a doctor.
Later life
Howe was diagnosed in 2002 with Pick's diseasePick's disease
Pick's disease, is a rare neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive destruction of nerve cells in the brain. Symptoms include loss of speech , and dementia. While some of the symptoms can initially be alleviated, the disease progresses and patients often die within two to ten years...
, an incurable neurological disease that causes dementia and died Friday, March 6, 2009, aged 76, in the family home at Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Bloomfield Hills is a city in Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan, northwest of downtown Detroit. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,869...
. Her son, Murray, who diverged from the family's footsteps to become a doctor, helped treat Howe during her ordeal with Pick's disease. Howe is survived by nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. Red Wings general manager Ken Holland held a moment of silence before the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
' game against the Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
on March 7. When a picture of Howe and Gordie lit up the scoreboard, fans responded with a standing ovation at the Friday, March 6, 2009 Vancouver Giants
Vancouver Giants
The Vancouver Giants are a major junior ice hockey team playing in the Western Hockey League . Inaugurated in 2001–02, the Giants have won one President's Cup in 2006 and one Memorial Cup in 2007 in their ten-season history...
' game against the Calgary Hitmen
Calgary Hitmen
The Calgary Hitmen are a major junior ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Hitmen play in the Central Division of the Western Hockey League . They play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Bret "The Hitman" Hart, a local-born professional wrestler, was a founding owner...
at the Pacific Coliseum
Pacific Coliseum
Pacific Coliseum is an indoor arena, at Hastings Park, in Vancouver, British Columbia.Completed in 1968, at the former site of the Pacific National Exhibition, the arena currently holds 16,281, for ice hockey, though capacity at its opening was 15,713....
.
Publications
Colleen Howe wrote the book My Three Hockey Players published in 1975 which became her first venture into writing. The Howes and Charles Wikins collaborated onAfter the Applause (published in 1989), followed by When the Final Buzzer Sounds (published in 2000). A 20th Century Hockey Chronicle co-written by Howe and Gordie was published in 1994. And ...Howe!: An Authorized Autobiography was written together by the Howes and Tom Delisle and released in 1995. The final joint venture between Howe and Gordie was You Read to Me & I'll Read to You: 20th-Century Stories to Share which came out in print in 2001. Charities were supported by proceeds from the sales of her books.
External links
- The Howe Foundation
- Obituary in the Huron Daily TribuneHuron Daily TribuneThe Huron Daily Tribune is a daily newspaper in Bad Axe, Michigan. The newspaper, owned by Hearst Corporation since 1979, serves Huron County, in the upper part of "The Thumb".- Awards :...