NHL History: Today in 1971, Gordie Howe scores last goal with Detroit Red Wings

It was 49 years ago today that Gordie Howe scored his last goal with the Detroit Red Wings.

After 25 years with the club, Howe’s goal came in a 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. For Howe, however, it marked the final year of his first stint in the NHL.

Howe was forced to retire after that 1971 due to a chronic wrist problem. Offered a job as the first head coach of the New York Islanders, Howe declined the role and instead took a job in the Red Wings front office.

The role wasn’t what Howe anticipated, and was offered a contract to play for the World Hockey Association’s Houston Aeros where his son’s Mark and Marty just signed. Gordie underwent wrist surgery and returned to hockey at 45-years-old to play with the Aeros.

Back-to-back championships later, Howe stayed with the Houston club until 1979-80 when the WHA folded. One last year of hockey came for Howe in 1979-80 where as a 51-year-old, Howe scored 41 points in 80 games becoming the oldest person to ever play in the NHL.

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