Wayne Gretzky calls Gordie Howe ‘the greatest hockey player ever’

NHL great Wayne Gretzky issued a statement Friday on the passing of Gordie Howe, calling Howe “the greatest hockey player ever.”

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NHL great Wayne Gretzky issued a statement Friday on the passing of Gordie Howe, calling Howe “the greatest hockey player ever.”

Howe, the Hall of Fame former Red Wings great, died Friday at age 88. 

“Unfortunately we lost the greatest hockey player ever today, but more importantly the nicest man I have ever met,” Gretzky tweeted. “Sending our thoughts and prayers to the Howe family and to the millions of hockey fans who like me loved Gordie Howe. RIP Mr. Hockey.”

Howe, who suffered a serious stroke and nearly died in October 2014, underwent stem cell treatment last summer and briefly improved in health. He last attended a Red Wings game this March, just before his 88th birthday.

• Hockey world mourns the passing of Gordie Howe

Unfortunately we lost the greatest hockey player ever today, but more importantly the nicest man I have ever met. (1/2)

— Wayne Gretzky (@WayneGretzky) June 10, 2016

Sending our thoughts and prayers to the Howe family and to the millions of hockey fans who like me loved Gordie Howe. RIP Mr. Hockey. (2/2)

— Wayne Gretzky (@WayneGretzky) June 10, 2016

Howe won four Stanley Cup trophies with the Red Wings and six Hart Trophies for being the league MVP.