Former NHL Great Howe Shows Novices He Still Has the Edge at 60

John Talarico plays hockey in one of those civilized novice leagues, the kind that accepts women and sensitive men. Fighting is unacceptable social behavior. Good sportsmanship is actively promoted. Whatever happens on the ice bears little resemblance to the real head-banging game.

So Talarico wondered what was going on as he skated the puck toward his opponent’s goal the other day at Pickwick Ice Rink in Burbank. A stick was poking at his ankles. Somebody was intentionally trying to hook his skates! It was a violation of the rules that could get the perpetrator ostracized at the postgame social.

While Talarico was concentrating on trying to stay upright, the guy with the stick deftly slid in front of him and shot the puck away. For good measure, he subtly crashed an elbow into Talarico’s right clavicle, sending him to one knee.

So much for sportsmanship, but at least Talarico got a taste of real hockey. Which was exactly the lesson Gordie Howe was trying to teach.

The legendary Howe, known as much for his strong-arm tactics as his playmaking during 26 years in the National Hockey League, was putting on a clinic for area players in the National Novice Hockey Assn., a league with 9,000 players in 21 cities. After 15 minutes of instruction, Howe scrimmaged with teams for the remainder of the hour, giving him a chance to further their knowledge of hockey terrorism.

“Gordie sharpens his elbows before he goes on the ice,” joked Mike Shannon, vice president of the league that is based in Washington, D. C.

In an effortless display of mayhem, Howe was able to get across his points without putting anyone out for the season. Alan Mak of Burbank discovered the consequences of going after the puck in a corner without paying attention to the guy behind him. Howe took him down with a flick of his stick. Helpless like a crab on its back , Mak could only wriggle as Howe playfully speared him in the stomach.

“He’s a dirty player, no doubt,” Mak said. “But he’s the best.”

Christina Marsden of Chatsworth learned the folly of skating with her head down and her stick held loosely. Howe glided up unnoticed and suddenly whipped his stick across hers, whacking it out of her hands.

“I’m going to hold that stick from now on,” she said.

In working for the league, Howe, 59, has traveled to a dozen cities since the beginning of the year, taking time off only to enjoy the Winter Olympics in Calgary as the guest of Sports Illustrated. In one day in Los Angeles, he did three hours of clinics at Pickwick, three hours in Orange County, his skills and reflexes still razor sharp.

“He hasn’t lost a thing,” marveled Talarico, who attends the University of Southern California.

And getting decked by Howe was an experience they cherished. “He took a run at me,” Mak said, “but I enjoyed it.”

Playing with a devilish twinkle in his eyes, Howe showed the novices why he was a master penalty killer in the NHL. Picking up the puck behind a cage, he sauntered--as opposed to rushed--to the other end, others unable to stop him. Stopping short in front of the goal, he teased the goalie for an instant before lifting the puck into the net.

“The old guy can still skate,” said Greg Anderson of Encino, an instructor in the league.

Glenn Dryfoos of L. A. likened the experience to “taking batting practice with Ted Williams.”

Howe, who played in the pros until eight years ago, will turn 60 this month, but after 45 minutes on the ice at Pickwick, it was the kids who were puffing. “We all had to take breaks, but he didn’t,” Marsden said. “It’s hard to believe he’s that old.”

And while the novices were covered from head to toe with protective gear, Howe wore only a couple of sweaters and a cup. “The cup is necessary,” he said with a wink. “I can always get someone to think for me.”

Recently, Howe’s NHL record for assists was broken by Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers. Howe had no regrets. Gretzky has been a protege of his since Gretzky was 11.

“The thing about Wayne,” Howe said, “is that he’ll ask a question, and he’ll listen to the answer. Even today he can repeat something I told him years ago.”

Then Howe skated off to put on a clinic for the next group of novices. They will ask questions, and maybe some among them will listen.