After retiring in 1971 following a legendary 25-season career with the Detroit Red Wings, Gordie Howe was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972. However, in 1973, at the age of 45, Howe came out of retirement to join his sons, Mark and Marty, in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The trio played six seasons together in the WHA before playing one final season in the NHL during the 1979-80 campaign, which marked the last year in the league for "Mr. Hockey."
Gordie was chosen to participate in the 1980 NHL All-Star Game, held in the heart of Detroit, Michigan. At that time, he was donning the colors of the Hartford Whalers, but as he stepped onto the ice in the city that had embraced him throughout his legendary career, the atmosphere became electric. The crowd erupted in a powerful, emotional standing ovation that lasted over five minutes, a profound testament to the love and admiration they held for him. In that moment, it was not just a tribute; it was a celebration of a hockey icon whose impact on the game and the community would be cherished forever. In that game, Howe earned an assist setting up Real Cloutier for a goal late in the third period, contributing to the Wales Conference All-Stars' 6-3 victory.
Over 26 NHL seasons, Howe scored 801 goals and 1,049 assists in 1,767 games. When including his WHA career, he totaled 975 goals and 2,358 points over 32 professional seasons. A 23-time NHL All-Star, Howe won six Hart Trophies and four Stanley Cups, and remarkably, finished in the top five in NHL scoring for 20 consecutive seasons.