Through The Lens

THE 1970s

A BLOODLINE like NO OTHER

AFTER two seasons in retirement, Howe was lured back to the ice in 1973 by the World Hockey Association's Houston Aeros, who also signed his sons Marty, 20 (left) and Mark, 18 (right). The combination helped produce two straight WHA championships, and Gordie, at 46, was named Most Valuable Player of the league's second season. The WHA's MVP award was promptly renamed the Gordie Howe Trophy.

THROUGH THE LENS

THE 1970s

A COMEBACK Means a NEW CHAPTER

IN his fourth decade of pro hockey Howe's career kept moving, like the man, counterclockwise

(1) An injury to his left wrist limited Howe to 63 games for Detroit and led to his retirement after the 1970--71 season.

(2) To commemorate Howe's 25 seasons with the team, the Red Wings retired jersey number 9 on March 12, 1972, before a game against the Blackhawks.