The Latest: Bettman says all hockey fans mourn loss of Howe

By foxsports
Published

The Latest on the death of Hall of Fame hockey player Gordie Howe (all times local):

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11:45 a.m.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said all hockey fans will grieve the loss of ''the incomparable,'' Gordie Howe.

''A remarkable athlete whose mastery of our sport was reflected by the longevity of his career and by his nickname, `Mr. Hockey,''' Bettman said.

''Gordie's commitment to winning was matched only by his commitment to his teammates, to his friends, to the Red Wings, to the city of Detroit and - above all - to his family,'' Bettman said.

''Gordie's toughness as a competitor on the ice was equaled only by his humor and humility away from it. No sport could have hoped for a greater, more-beloved ambassador.''

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11:15 a.m.:

Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland says Gordie Howe was the greatest Red Wing of all time and may have been greatest player in NHL history.

''He was one of the greatest players, if not the greatest, in the history of the National Hockey League and the greatest Red Wing of all time,'' Holland said Friday, after Howe died at his daughter's home in Ohio.

''He was a big power forward, one of the biggest players of his time, with as much skill and toughness as anybody who ever played. As a human being, he was incredible. He loved to be around people and to make them laugh. He was an incredible ambassador for the sport. This is a sad day for hockey.''