Clarence Campbell, the NHL president in NHL 17 Coins 1971, said, "Gordie, when you entered into the league, hockey was a Canadian sport. As you exit, you have made it a North American sport!". One of Howe's biggest fans was Wayne Gretzky, who played from 1979 to 1999. Gretzky is also one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Howe and Gretzky inspired thousands of players around the world. Howe was a pioneer with hockey expansion because professional hockey is now played on other continents, such as Europe. Howe loved hockey so much that he played over three decades and his passion for the game flourished around the world. Howe's hockey career spanned from 1946 to 1980. Howe did not play for two seasons after his first retirement in 1971.

For six of the seasons, Howe played in the World Hockey Association, another professional hockey league, which Wayne Gretzky also played. The WHA ended in 1979. Many of your careers will last many decades. Will you evoke the same passion in your career as Howe did? Howe did not have to come back to play hockey in 1973 at the age of 45, but he did for his love of the game. Howe defines what it's like to have passion for one's career. For most of you, working many days and weeks in a row may seem tiresome. Howe played one of the most physically-rigorous sports and played in every game in his last season at age 52. He retired after the 1979-80 season. Considering that many professional hockey players retire in HUT 17 Coins their thirties, Howe proved that age is only a number and not a state of mind.