When the game was one of violence, he was the best. When it was a shootout, he was the best. In a defensive struggle, he was the best. When it came down to playing on a team with his sons and making a new league work, he was the best. Mr.HOCKEY!

Probably the most complete player ever.

And tough like some guys think they're tough.  Even playing in an era when stars were supposed to look out for themselves rather than depend on an enforcer, Gordie was something special.  He knew every clean and cheap shot that existed, and either in a stand up fight or in the corners he was fearsome.  It was said that his elbows were like those spikes on the chariot wheels in Ben Hur.

They used to have a something called the "Gordie Howe Hat-trick" A goal, an assist and a fight. 

Henri Richard? COME ON!

THE SYMBOL OF THE NHL. (babe ruth of hockey) THE BEST EVER thats all!

Regarding comments by Bellarina; Guys today are stronger than Gordie Howe??!!! Anyone else's grandaddy out there still getting paid to play professional hockey? To you guys handing out the one star ratings; Where do you get that stuff you're smoking?

mr hockey

Mr. elbow

Arguably the most overrated athlete in the history of sports.

Anyone who wouldn't put Howe in the top 5 of the greatest Hockey Players to ever play doesn't know hockey. He had a great shot, could pass with the best of them, back check, score and hold his own with anyone on the ice. He was tough, tough enough to withstand over 20 years and a near fatal hit from Ted Kennedy. He was a leader and on and off the ice he has continued to be a great ambassador to the sport. The complete player.

Overrated thug...shame on Canada for worshipping this goon.

It's Howe. . .I know Gretz has the numbers, but who do you want coming to center ice to start the game? Howe could fight, score, pass, and probably sell tickets if you asked him. He scared the living s#$% out of people. Don't belive me? Ask his son Mark who said this about his dear old man: He was the cruelest player I saw. Nuff said.

Very possibly the most overrated player in the history of organized sports. Don't get me wrong, he was great. But please...to even put him in the top ten of this list is a joke. He was a thug with talent, but not a lot of talent. Canada loves him because he epitomizes all that they love, and that's fine, but Gretzky and Mario must chuckle when they see their names beside Howe's on this list.

never got to see him but his longevity & toughness are legendary. he defines old time hockey.

he loves the sport played it for so long. was very skilled for his era. would not survive as long as he did in todays game guys are much faster and stronger today he would end up eating some elbows too! sorry gordie.

Mister Hockey. 'Nuff said.

Gordie "elbows" Howe ... WOW ! One hell of a GREAT hockey player. I saw him rip a wrist shot off a goal post, only because I heard the puck clang off of the goal post ! Believe me, you could not see the puck. Howe just snapped his wrist while he was in his effortless stride, and CLANG !!! He played in an era (6 teams), where today's 50 goal scorers would be in the minors or riding the "pines". Howe did for Detroit, what the WHA did for contracts. Howe was a GREAT hockey player!!! He makes my all-time team hands down!!!

A Complete Player Who scored alot of goals in a very defensive era.

Overrated. Mr. Elbow! He could elbow anyone but if anyone touched him "PENALTY!" If not for his league protection, he wouldn't have lasted half as long. Attacked from behind, not face to face. Dirty little bugger.

Did it all!

HE WAS THE BOMB!!!!!

in my mind he was the greatest all round player ever to play the game

One of the best players of all time.