The first Christmas holiday is indelibly written in the chronicles of the NHL. One of the most famous hockey players in history, Gordie Howe, chose December 25, 1956 as the day when he would perform his life’s performance.
25.12.2025 20:07
Photo: ČTK / AP / AP
Gordie Howe in 1963. After scoring the 545th goal in the NHL, he received a twenty-minute “standing ovation”.
“Mr. Hockey”, as the Canadian was called, was the main character of the duel of his Detroit Red Wings against the New York Rangers. On the home ice of Detroit’s Olympia Stadium, he contributed to a clear win with six points.
Three goals and three assists. It may not seem like much today, but in those days it was considered a big deal.
For the famous Howe, it was the most productive evening of his legendary career, which lasted (with a roughly two-year break) almost 35 years.
Read more Shechne’s antics have an end. There have been serious errors, the club responds to the defamation. They clarify the reason for the action of the legend
Howe thus consolidated his leadership as a hockey player who is unstoppable even during the holidays. In the matches played on December 25, he scored 12 goals and a total of 24 points.
He holds the record to this day with a six-point lead over Frank Mahovlich, and it’s hard to change anything about that.
Hockey in the best competition in the world was an integral part of the American Christmas until 1973. The professional league and the Players Association reached an agreement, and since then the players spend Christmas with their families and off the ice. That will most likely not change.
