Gordie Howe (1928-2016) played for the Detroit Red Wings and the Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League, and the Houston Aeros and the New England Whalers in the WHA. A four-time Stanley Cup champion with the Red Wings, he won six Hart trophies as the league's most valuable player and six Art Ross trophies as the leading scorer. He was the inaugural recipient of the NHL Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. He was the only player to have competed in the NHL in five different decades (1940s through 1980s).

Gordie Howe's name and nickname, "Mr. Hockey," as well as his wife's nickname, "Mrs. Hockey," are registered trademarks.