He possessed all the intangibles that made a player great

The trio signed with the WHA Houston Aeros and propelled their team to the league championship. Mark delighted the Houston fans with a star performance despite his youth and inexperience. Marty played stellar defense, helping to anchor the Houston defense, and Gordie proved to be more than a drawing card by leading the team in scoring with more than 100 points.When the NHL absorbed the WHA, the Howes also came back, joining the Hartford Whalers Durability was Gordie Howe. In his tenure as a professional hockey player, he skated right wing through the presidencies of Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter He played a remarkable 32 years. At 51, when he should have been in rocking chair on his front porch, he was still playing a regular shift in the NHL. Not even more than 300 stitches, damaged knee cartilages, broken ribs, a broken wrist, several broken toes, a dislocated shoulder, an assortment of scalp wounds, a painful ankle injury and a near-brush with death could derail his NHL dominance.Competing for as long as Howe did, one is bound to put up incredible numbers. His stats (World Hockey Association and playoff games included): 2,421 games, 1,071 goals, 1,518 assists, 2,589 points and 2,418 penalty minutes.

Besides Howe's endurance, there was the ability and determination that enabled him to win six MVP awards and six scoring championships with the Detroit Red Wings The Hull family definitely has hockey in its genes. Bobby's younger brother Dennis (nicknamed "the Silver Jet"), starred alongside him with the Chicago Blackhawks for eight seasons, scoring over 300 goals in his own right. Bobby and Brett are the only father-and-son tandem to achieve the marks of more than 50 goals in a season and more than 600 NHL goals. They are also the only father-and-son tandem to win the Hart Trophy and Lady Byng Trophy. While playing for the Phoenix Coyotes (formerly the Winnipeg Jets) in 2005, Brett donned his father's retired 9 for the last five games of his career. Bobby and Brett are the only father and son combination in any professional sport to both have their numbers retired.

Louis Blues.Bobby's other sons included: Bart Hull, a standout running back for the Boise State University Bronco's football team in the early 1990s, and briefly played with British Columbia Lions prior to a recurring knee injury Bobby Jr and Blake both played junior and senior hockey Bobby won the Memorial Cup with the 1980 Cornwall Royals. also possessed a powerful shot, but lacked the scoring touch of his father and brother Brett.Hull's daughter and youngest child, Michelle, was an accomplished figure skater, becoming British Columbia Pre-Novice Champion at the age of 11. If there is any such thing as hockey royalty, the Richards wear the crown.Maurice" The Rocket" Richard was one of the biggest stars in the game. He possessed all the intangibles that made a player great.Not only was he known for his skating speed and shot, but also his tireless determination to score a goal Richard once scored while carrying a defender on his back. Henri was a relentless checker, skilled stickhandler and clutch scorer.

When Maurice passed away, his funeral ceremony was on a par with those held for heads of state. Elder brother Phil (Espo) broke every record in the NHL for scoring goals. His 76 goals and 152 points in 78 games was thought to be unreachable until the Edmonton Oilers' offensive machine and Wayne Gretzky appeared on the scene.Tony (Tony O), one year younger, broke the record for stopping them. In their long careers, time and again at the goal crease, they had no choice but to face each other. In 1972, the time came for Canada to take on the hockey archenemy of the time, the Russians. Together the brothers answered the call and became heroes of the day.Phil showed his leadership ability and will forever be remembered for making a impassioned plea for the fans to get behind Team Canada. The strategy worked, and Team Canadaplaying without Bobby Orr and Bobby Hullmade a dramatic comeback to win the international series.Both brothers were involved with the management of Tampa Bay Lightning and continue to be visible in the hockey world..