The Detroit Red Wings are hosted Gordie Howe night Friday as the team took on the Winnipeg Jets.
The night included tributes to Howe, as well as a giveaway of Gordie Howe replica statues to the first 5,000 fans to arrive.
Howe's son -- and Red Wings director of pro scouting Mark Howe -- said that Friday night's event was the beginning of a new life for the Howe Foundation. "It's kind of the beginning for the process for the Howe children to continue the legacy of not only Gordon Howe, but Colleen Howe," said Mark.
Gordie Howe's daughter, Cathy Howe, echoed those sentiments. She said once their mother and father both became ill, the Howe Foundation and the dreams her mother had for it were pushed to the back burner.
"Once mom passed away, Dad never spent a night alone. So now we all made the decision that that was now... We put that in the front burner for all of us to make it happen," said Cathy.
Mark Howe says the Howe Foundation is exploring different ways to raise money, including the idea of a Gordie Howe hockey tournament.
The goal of The Howe Foundation is to help kids who may face economic barriers to enjoy the sport of hockey.
