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The family of hockey great Gordie Howe says his condition is improving but he has a long way to go to recover from a stroke he suffered over the weekend. Today, NHL Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne — who played with the NHL legend — talked about his friend, ‘Gordie’.

On the ice, Gordie Howe was known for grit, finesse and stamina. He scored 801 goals in his NHL career. Marcel Dionne played
with Howe during Howe’s final year with the Detroit Red Wings: “I’d just look at him and say ‘this is the guy I watched’. He had already 26 years in the NHL. And that’s why he thought his record would never be broken, until Wayne Gretzky came along.”

Dionne has all kinds of memorabilia of Howe and other hockey greats on the walls of his Niagara Falls diner.

Gordie Howe suffered a series of health problems over the summer. He had spinal surgery for back pain. He had a seizure and a number of mini strokes. But just a few weeks ago family members were saying it looks like he’s improving.

Over the weekend, the 86 year old was further debilitated by a stroke that paralyzed his right side.

Marcel Dionne: “This is a true legend. And when these things happen it affect all of us because he’s been a big part of our life.”

Niagara IceDogs players Blake Siebenaler and Zach Wilkie were born years after Howe retired. But they know the name Gordie Howe.

Zach Wilke: “Growing up in Chicago and being a Chicago Blackhawks fan, you definitely know who Gordie Howe is. With him
playing for the Red Wings and tormenting the Blackhawks.”

Blake Siebenaler: “It’s unfortunate to hear what happened to him. Hockey hero like that, ‘Mr. Hockey’. But he’s definitely someone
we all can look up to.”

Back at the diner, there’s a photo with Howe that shows he scored one thousand, seventy one goals.

Marcel Dionne: “And the reason he put 1,071 goals. That’s including the WHA. So Wayne cannot break his record.”