Hockey community pulling for Howe to recover from serious stroke

Gordie Howe has a long way to go to recover from a stroke he suffered over the weekend, his son said Wednesday amid an outpouring of support from the hockey community.

“Mr. Hockey” has shown some signs of improvement from what son Mark called a “pretty significant stroke” and is resting at his daughter Cathy’s home in Lubbock, Texas.

“It’s a difficult time for Dad,” Mark Howe said in a phone interview from Lubbock. “It definitely impacted his life, so we’re dealing with this, I think, as all families do and just trying to be there. The best thing we can do is just be here and be supportive and try to keep him in good spirits.”

Sons Mark, Marty and Murray travelled from their respective homes in New Jersey, Connecticut and Ohio on Tuesday to be with their father, who has been in declining health for the past year. Gordie Howe is 86 and also suffers from a form of dementia.

In a statement thanking family, friends and fans for their support, the Howe family said that “Dad’s spirits are good and his competitive attitude remains strong.”

Concerns for Howe and hopes for his recovery have poured in from across the hockey world and beyond since news of his stroke emerged Tuesday afternoon. Mark Howe, who has been a scout for the Detroit Red Wings for the past 20 years, estimated he had 375 text messages, a volume surpassed only by the time he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Mark Howe said other family members also received messages from friends about Gordie’s health.

“Obviously Dad, he’s touched so many people in his life in such a positive way,” he said. “That’s reflected in so many of the well-wishes and prayers that we’ve received.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper posted a message of encouragement on Twitter, and coaches Mike Babcock and Dallas Eakins talked about Howe’s health Wednesday.

“If there’s anybody that can recover from that, it’s that tough old bird,” Eakins, who coaches the Oilers, told reporters in Edmonton. “He’s a tough man and quite a treasure to our game. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.”

Former Hartford Whalers owner Howard Baldwin, who signed Gordie to play with sons Mark and Marty in the WHA and NHL and also produced Howe’s movie, “Mr. Hockey,” has been in touch with the family and voiced his support, as well.

“He’s somebody that I dearly treasure,” Baldwin said in a phone interview. “He’s a national treasure and I hope and pray that he can pull through this, which I think he will and have a quality of life that you would want somebody to have.”

Frank Mahovlich, who played with Howe on the Red Wings for parts of four seasons, learned of his former teammate’s stroke Wednesday morning. Days after reading about the death of former NHLer Milan Marcetta, the 76-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs great said he’s scared to pick up the newspaper much anymore.

“It’s that time in my life, I guess, that a lot of my friends are feeling the pain,” Mahovlich said in a phone interview.