Through The Lens

(3) His wrist healthy save for some arthritis, the hale Howe cut short his retirement after two seasons, dropped 12 pounds and played himself back into shape with the upstart WHA in '73--74.

(4) Howe's reputation for physical play preceded him to the new league, where he dominated players half his age.

(5) After the NHL absorbed his Whalers in a merger before the '79--80 season, Howe found himself back on the ice in Detroit, only now he was wearing green and centering for his sons Marty (top) and Mark (5).

THROUGH THE LENS

THE 1970s

Just GETTING WARMED UP?

SPENDING more time in the whirlpool after games, as he did with the Whalers in 1977, was a rare way that Howe showed some age during the last years of his career. Over six WHA seasons, between ages 45 and 51, he averaged 70 games, 29 goals, 56 assists and 85 points while also working power plays, killing penalties and, of course, showing his surly side: He spent 67 minutes a year in the penalty box.