Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site alberta.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!ihnp4!alberta!lake From: lake@alberta.UUCP (Robert Lake) Newsgroups: net.sport.hockey Subject: Re: The Great One Message-ID: <197@alberta.UUCP> Date: Tue, 16-Oct-84 12:14:36 EDT Article-I.D.: alberta.197 Posted: Tue Oct 16 12:14:36 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 17-Oct-84 06:31:28 EDT Distribution: net Organization: U. of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Lines: 31 I don't see how you can say Wayne Gretzky "could never hold a candle to Gordie Howe". In my view, Wayne Gretzky is playing in a league that is at least as demanding, if not more so, than Gordie Howe did. Players today are much faster, bigger, have better hockey skills, and better conditioning than ever before (as is true with every sport - e.g. consider the record breaking performances in the Olympics). More kids are playing organized hockey in Canada and the US than the days of the 6 team league, and the NHL has the European countries in addition to the expanded North American hockey program to draw talent from (during the days of the 6 team league virtually every player was a Canadian). Thus I don't feel the calibre of talent these days is at all inferior to what was offered in the days of the 6 team league. Gordie Howe himself has said that Wayne Gretzky makes moves and plays that he never dreamed possible. At the same time, Gretzky has stated that his ideal as a young player was Howe, and in fact wanted his number for his jersey (but settled for 99 because someone else already had 9). I feel comparing Gordie Howe to Wayne Gretzky is like comparing apples to oranges. They are both very different hockey players, with very different abilities and playing styles. Also, Howe acquired his reputation after about 25 years of play. Gretzky has been in for only 5 years. How can you compare the two? Also, compare the abilities of most of the top scorers for the 6 team league against Gretzky's abilities. Think of guys like Stan Mikita. How can you say he would have been only average in that league? Robert Lake (alberta!lake) University of Alberta