Was also an Oakland Seal (and Los Angeles King) and in the WHA, he was with the San Diego Mariners (and also New York Golden Blades and Jersey Knights when franchise was in those locations) and the Calgary Cowboys.
Posted on 03/11/2019 3:08:29 PM PDT by EveningStar
Harry Howell, the Hall of Fame defenseman who became one of hockey’s most durable figures, playing with the Rangers for 17 seasons in a career that spanned 24 seasons in two leagues, died on Saturday in Ontario. He was 86...
When Howell joined the Rangers in October 1952, he was among 14 rookies with the team that season. Most didn’t stick around too long, but Howell went on to play in 1,160 regular-season games as a Ranger, a still-standing team record...
Howell won the Norris Trophy as the N.H.L.’s leading defenseman in the 1966-67 season and he was a seven-time All-Star...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
ping
I was there for his Night in the Old Garden. I am glad to see his sweater was raised along side Andy Bathgate’s #9. Two of my heroes as I played CYO Roller Hockey. RIP Harry.
One of the greats. Condolences to family and friends of Harry Howell. R.I.P., sir. Thanks.
ML/NJ
old time Rangers fan but never saw Howell play...to this day Eddie Giacomin is my all time favorite athlete..
(let me know if you want on or off the ping list)
Condolences to the Howell family. He played way before my time, but it's good to see his number in the rafters at MSG.
He was the last NHL defenseman to win the Norris Trophy before Bobby Orr won it eight straight years.
Was also an Oakland Seal (and Los Angeles King) and in the WHA, he was with the San Diego Mariners (and also New York Golden Blades and Jersey Knights when franchise was in those locations) and the Calgary Cowboys.
IIRC, at his acceptance speech, he said something like, “I guess this will be known as the Bobby Orr Trophy for the next twenty years.”
RIP.
The Knights were Philadelphia's second foray into the WHA. The first one (the Blazers) moved to Vancouver after the first WHA season. The Knights started the '73-74 season as the NY Golden Blades before moving down the Turnpike.
RIP Harry.
ff
P.S. There's a Howell, NJ, in southeast Monmouth Co. just west of the GSP.
I recall reading a story about the reason why the Knights franchise was allowed to play in that funny old dump in Cherry Hill (the visiting team had to change into their gear at the hotel nearby as the dressing room was too small and that centre ice had a slight rise so that one could take a slapshot from there and make the puck do all sorts of crazy things). The person who bought the franchise apparently promised the league that he was to have built a nice new arena in New Jersey for the team, so they let him play in the Cherry Hill one on a temporary basis.
But the new place did not come through and the owner basically gave up on major league hockey in New Jersey and sold the franchise to Ray Kroc (of McDonalds fame) who in turn moved the team to San Diego. The Mariners played until the end of 1976-77 before ultimately folding.
RIP #3.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.