There I was sitting in the back of a van listening to music from the 1980’s while riding to Detroit to watch the Red Wings with Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, in the front seat.

We arrive in Detroit and park 10 feet away from Joe Louis Arena — the player’s parking lot — where we were asked for identification in order to get into the most prestigious parking lot available.

First, the five of us entered the arena to a series of questions asking us for our tickets. Then, Gordie Howe walks into the building following us and the questions come to a halt. We receive our tickets and proceed to the elevators that take us to our suite.

Detroit Red Wing legends Gordie Howe and Mark Howe in the press box at Joe Louis Arena.(Photo by Detroit Red Wings team photographer Dave Reginek)

I did not happen to just find these tickets lying around behind a dumpster, mind you.

I am friends with Gordie’s grandson, Corey. It is not every day that the family gets luxurious suites either. Former National Hockey League player Mark Howe, Gordie’s son, was being honored for his recent induction into the NHL Hall of Fame and the Ilitich (Red Wings owner) family gave friends and family the suite to help celebrate.

On the way to the elevators, we had to stop several times and wait for Mr. Hockey to sign autographs and shake hands with every fan who wanted a memory of a lifetime. He was accommodating to all and took the time to shake their hand.

Inside the elevator, I stood next to Mr. Hockey himself. When I squeezed next to him, I received an elbow from one of the most famous figures in professional hockey history. This caught my attention, so I looked at him and he looked back and gave me a smile. This is the first time I met Mr. Hockey and not once did I feel intimidated.

After walking around the stadium (because there is only one entrance to our suite) we arrive. Right behind the Red Wings net the view is breathtaking. In the suite, there is a lounging area with a bar and a couple rows of seats with a railing on the right separating us from the rest of the stadium.

The food was an all you can eat buffet, including salads, steaks, salmon, chicken wings, chicken cordon bleu, and fruits and vegetables. We ate before the game started so the taste would not distract us. Instead, the distractions were coming from the heroes inside the suite. Not only was Gordie Howe present, but also Bill Gadsby (a Hall of Fame defenseman for the Red Wings) and Jack Finley (the Red Wings team doctor for over 40 years), and, of course, Mark Howe.

For about a period, Mr. Hockey sat at the front railing overlooking the arena. The railing was not far removed from fans, so they could easily get an eye-shot of the most famous Red Wing in history anytime they wanted.

Sitting in the suite, you could see fans in surrounding sections constantly turning to look at who was sitting a couple rows away. They took out their phones and cameras and continued flash photography of Mr. Hockey. If you are one of those fans and see a 5-foot-9, dark-haired male wearing a blue and gold plaid shirt making a funny face in the background, I apologize. Sometimes my immaturity gets the best of me.

Fans would even come to the railing and ask to shake his hand, get his autograph, or take a picture with him. Not once did I see Gordie Howe ever deny a fan an opportunity. Between watching the game and playing with the children who were also in the suite, he always found time for fans.

The Red Wings game was tied until the final period. Although a Wings fan, all I wanted to see was overtime instead of a Detroit win in regulation. The night could not go on long enough.

The game did end in a Red Wing victory and Mr. Hockey kissed all his friends and family goodbye and we headed for the van for the ride home. I made one crucial mistake.

I choose to take the stairs down to the arena basement instead of the elevator. The stairs, however, only went to the first floor. There, I was ushered out of the arena. Once outside, I realized this is not where I wanted to be. I tried to go back, but the usher was adamant about moving the traffic outside. I claimed I was with Gordie Howe. The usher called over a co-worker, who then escorted me to the basement area where Mr. Hockey was still signing autographs.

In the basement, waiting as he continued to sign autographs, an arena worker asked me what I was doing outside the ropes. I replied I was with Gordie Howe — he gave me a stare for several seconds and then realized how he dare question someone with the most powerful man in Joe Lewis Arena. He then let me wait until Mr. Hockey was ready to go home.

The whole ride home I could not stop thinking how fortunate I was to be alongside such a popular figure in sports history. Although one of the toughest on the ice, Gordie Howe is one of the nicest men I have met. I will always remember my night with Gordie Howe.

Jacob Amstel is a Sylvania native, Bowling Green State University journalism student and Press contributing sportswriter.

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