15 Jun

Mr. Hockey: A Legendary Brand

Posted in News, NHL on 15.06.16 by John Meloche

Today is truly a sad day as we mourn the loss of one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Gordie Howe was an unbelievable hockey player and an even better person. While people tend to focus on his playing career (deservedly so), they neglect the business acumen possessed by Mr. and Mrs. Hockey. Gordie and Colleen Howe built the Mr. Hockey brand together. Colleen was actually a very prominent figure in this process as she was Gordie’s business manager for decades. In doing so she was in charge of running their enterprises and charitable ventures.

Colleen was a business genius as this brand has become huge today. And what do you do when you want to preserve your brand? You trademark it. That’s right, in August 1993 the couple had trademarked “Gordie Howe,” and “Mr. Hockey,” with the US Patent and Trademark Office. “Mr. and Mrs. Hockey,” soon followed in 2005.

Even after his playing career, Gordie, with guidance from Colleen, took part in many business endeavors. Bill Shea from Crain’s Detroit Business went on to describe Mr. Hockey’s business proceedings as he once served as a “sports adviser for Canada’s now-defunct Eaton’s department store chain,” in addition to doing promotion work with a Detroit car company, co-owning a string of hockey schools, and even selling insurance at one time.

The Howes were truly an amazing couple. Their impeccable business skills has allowed them to not only preserve the name of one of the greatest hockey players of all time, but allow his legend to live forever. Goodbye Mr. and Mrs. Hockey, you will be missed.

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