Howe I became a Red Wings fan


By
June 13, 2016

I was born in 1952 and have been a National Hockey League fan for as long as I can remember, all the while living a double life.

As a youngster growing up in Sault Ste. Marie and living under the same roof as my dad, I had no choice but to be a Montreal Canadiens fan.

Back then, my dad was as big a Canadiens fan as there was in the Soo and his favourite player was Jean Beliveau. Thus, in our Maple St. house, not only did dad expect me to cheer for the Canadiens but having a favourite player from another NHL team was strictly prohibited.

Secretly though, I was a closet Gordie Howe/Detroit Red Wings fan.

Don’t get me wrong, I cheered for the Canadiens — and Beliveau and Henri Richard were among my favourite players.

But I liked Howe, Alex Delvecchio and the Red Wings just as much, though I did not dare tell my dad for fear that he would be disappointed. In fact, even when we were in Windsor visiting family and my dad took me to games at the old Olympia in Detroit, I would let on that the Red Wings were my second-favourite team behind the Canadiens.

To this day, 27 years since my dad passed away, I am still somewhat reluctant to admit that I like the Red Wings as much as the Canadiens.

So, to some folks, I am a Canadiens fan. And to others, I am a Red Wings fan.

But with the recent passing of Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, it’s time to come clean.

When the Red Wings play the Canadiens, it’s Detroit who I root for.

Sorry, dad.

PHOTO: The hockey world is mourning the recent passing of the legendary Gordie Howe.


What you think about “Howe I became a Red Wings fan”

  1. Great one Randy! Well said!
    I am one of those people that thought you were always a Wings fan:):)

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