Gordie Howe's Health Causing Widespread Speculation
One of hockey's most recognizable faces has been the source of widespread media speculation about his health, specifically his memory. Gordie Howe, known to his legions of fans as "Mr. Hockey", was one of the most prolific scorers the National Hockey League has ever seen. Howe began his NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings in 1946 and played an incredible 25 seasons with the same team. He wrapped up his professional playing days in 1980, while a member of the Hartford Whalers (his son Mark was a member of the same Whalers that season, incredibly).
Gordie Howe won the Art Ross Trophy, which is given to the NHL's leading point scorer, an impressive six times. He also brought home the Hart Memorial Trophy, given to the league`s most valuable player, six times. The Red Wings won the Stanley Cup four times in the 1950`s with Howe on their roster. Not only was Howe a regular goal scorer, he was also known for his toughness on the ice, earning him the nickname "Mr. Elbows". In 1972, the NHL inducted Gordie into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Howe's son Marty spoke to the media Thursday about his famous father's struggle with gradual cognitive decline and some short-term memory loss. According to his son, "He’s a little bit worse than last year, but pretty close to about the same. He just loses a little bit more, grasping for words." It is unclear what medical condition Howe is experiencing. His son Murray, who is a medical doctor, said that his symptoms don't fit a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or Pick's Disease, a less common form of dementia. It is possible that Gordie may have experienced a series of "mini-strokes" which resulted in damage to the parts of his brain responsible for short-term memory, according to his family.
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