By Ian Holmes

Howie Meeker shares his Gordie Howe memories

Jun 13, 2016 | 9:30 AM

Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster and former Toronto Maple Leaf Howie Meeker has nothing but nice things to say about Gordie Howe.

Howe, widely known as ‘Mr. Hockey’, passed away Friday morning at the age of 88.

Meeker, a French Creek resident, says Howe was an amazing ambassador for the game of hockey.  Both Meeker and Howe broke into the NHL as rookies during the 1946/47 campaign.

“Very honourable man, did a wonderful thing for hockey, he was the best person in hockey by far…he loved hockey and loved people,” Meeker said.

Meeker recalls two elbows to the mouth from Howe, resulting in a lost tooth both times.

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“Physically you don’t fool with Gordie Howe…he’d get you right back.”

Meeker says years ago he bumped into Howe at a dinner at an event on Vancouver Island and Howe called Meeker over while signing autographs.

“He saw me coming and he put the pen down, and he walked toward me and I could tell in the gleam in his eyes and the smile in his face, he said, hi Howie, great to see you, how are the teeth? hahaha.”

Meeker says it was a pleasure to know Howe and become friends.