Gordie Howe receives the NHL Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 (Getty)
Legendary hockey player Gordie Howe has died at the age of 88, according to CNN.
His wife was Colleen Howe, whom he married in 1953. The two had four children together and lived happily in Toledo until her death in 2009. She was nicknamed “Mrs. Hockey,” corresponding to her husband’s nickname of “Mr. Hockey.”
Here’s everything you need to know about Colleen Howe, Gordie’s wife.
1. She Was the First Female Sports Agent
Howe was always quick to credit his wife for his success
“The key is our love for hockey, & each other -Colleen Howe
Colleen was quite involved in her husband’s career, managing his business interests and really becoming the first female sports agent.
“She fought as diligently as any agent I’ve ever worked with, in sports or Hollywood,” said producer Howard Baldwin in 2002.
She worked to trademark the terms “Mr. Hockey” and “Mrs. Hockey” and always ensured her husband was paid a fair rate. Mark Howe said that the NHL always wanted Gordie to travel for no money, but Colleen would know exactly how to negotiate a proper salary for him.
“She stood her ground because that’s how he made his living,” Mark Howe said.
2. She Developed the First Indoor Ice Hockey Area in Michigan
May #MrHockey & #ColleenHowe #RIP . Together again 💖.Sad day in Detroit but we will never forget all the good times!
Not only did Colleen negotiate on behalf of her husband, but she also was heavily involved in the construction of the Gordie Howe Hockeyland arena, which was the first indoor ice hockey rink in Michigan. It is located in the suburb of St. Clair Shores.
“We could ill-afford that rink,” Gordie Howe later recalled, according to ESPN. “But she wanted to give a lot of kids the chance to play and she did.”
Not long after the arena was constructed, she was named Michigan Sportswoman of the Year.
3. She Negotiated the Deal That Allowed Gordie to Come out of Retirement
One of Colleen’s greatest accomplishments as an agent took place in 1974. Gordie had retired in 1971, and soon after, Colleen was able to strike a deal with the Houston Aeros to get her sons Mark and Marty on the team. Bill Dineen, the Areos’ coach, floated the idea of Gordie coming out of retirement and joining the team, playing alongside his two sons.
“Colleen had already seen what life away from hockey could do to my spirit and she knew how much it would mean to me to play with the boys,” Howe said in his book.
Colleen was able to negotiate a four-year, $1.8 million deal to sign all three of them to the team.
4. She Was Nicknamed ‘Dragon Lady’
Gordie and his wife Colleen Howe carry the Olympic Flame during the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Torch Relay in Warren, Michigan. (Getty)
“Mrs. Hockey” wasn’t the only nickname Colleen was given. She was also sometimes called “dragon lady” due to her fierce negotiation style. It was said that she was extremely tough and refused to ever back down, which contrasted with her husband’s more relaxed demeanor.
“My mom is a very assertive person, and off the rink, my dad is not,” Murray Howe said. “He is a quiet gentleman. He always knew he married well, so he would defect to her if she had laid down a law…She is a strong, strong person – and that’s what my dad needed, being in the public eye and away from home a lot.”
Marty Howe also said that Colleen was brilliant and a huge workaholic.
5. She Was Diagnosed with Pick’s Disease in 2002
#relationshipgoals RT @MarkDivver: #TBT Gordie and Colleen Howe after his 300th NHL goal vs. Chicago in Feb. 1956. http://t.co/dTwUOe4mzJ
In 2002, Colleen was diagnosed with Pick’s disease, a rare condition that causes dementia and has no known cure. Marty Howe said it was extremely difficult on the entire family.
“It’s such a gradual thing and takes away one thing at a time,” he said. “The last two years she didn’t know anybody, didn’t talk and couldn’t walk. It was tough on everybody. Every once in a while you could tell she’s there because if you looked into her eyes you could see a little sparkle. But most of the time after a while all you got was that blank stare.”
After her death in 2009, the Gordie and Colleen Fund for Dementia Research was launched.