Howe retires from the NHL in 1971 after 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. But he returns to pro hockey in 1973 with the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association to be able to play with his sons. All three move to the Whalers after Houston folds and come to the NHL when Hartford is one of four WHA teams absorbed by the League for the 1979-80 season.
Mark Howe
plays all of 1979-80 with the Whalers and goes on to become a Hall of Fame defenseman. But
Marty Howe
spends much of it in the minor leagues before being recalled in early March, setting up the chance to take a shift with his father and brother.
MORE MOMENTS
1937:
Frank Boucher
of the New York Rangers becomes the first NHL player to have 250 assists in his career. Boucher, an original member of the Rangers, scores a goal in the first period, then gets assist No. 250 when he sets up a second-period goal by
Alex Shibicky
in a
7-5 overtime win against the New York Americans
at Madison Square Garden.
1952: Center
Sid Abel
scores his final goal as a member of the Red Wings and their famed "Production Line." The goal by Abel, assisted by longtime linemates Howe and
Ted Lindsay
, helps Detroit
defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1
at Olympia Stadium.
1975:
Bobby Orr
of the Bruins sets the NHL single-season record for goals by a defenseman when he scores his 38th in a
5-2 win against the visiting Atlanta Flames
. He breaks his own mark, set in 1970-71. Orr finishes the season with 46 goals. He also has three assists and becomes the first defenseman in League history to reach 600 in his career.