DETROIT: Gordie Howe, the rough-and-tumble Canadian farm boy whose boundless blend of talent and toughness made him the NHL’s quintessential star during a career that lasted into his 50s, has died. The man forever known as “Mr. Hockey” was 88.

Son Murray Howe confirmed the death on Friday. “Mr Hockey left peacefully, beautifully, and w no regrets.

“Howe shattered records, threw elbows and helped the Detroit Red Wings win four Stanley Cups, becoming an idol to Wayne Gretzky and countless other Canadians while also helping the sport attract American fans.

His final NHL season came at age 52 when Gretzky was a rookie — a fitting symmetry since Howe was the league’s most prolific scorer until the “Great One” broke his career marks for goals and points.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland called Howe “one of the greatest players, if not the greatest” in NHL history and the “greatest Red Wing of all time.”

Speaking to the AP by phone, Holland said Howe had “as much skill and toughness as anybody who ever played. With finesse and a heavy dose of grit, the Hockey Hall of Famer set NHL marks with 801 goals and 1,850 points - mostly with the Red Wings — that held up until Gretzky came along.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2016