OHL Mourns the Loss of Harry Howell

The Ontario Hockey League family is deeply saddened by the loss of NHL legend and former Memorial Cup champion Harry Howell who passed away on Saturday night at the age of 86.

A native of Hamilton, Ont., Howell enjoyed a Hall of Fame NHL career spent largely with the New York Rangers. A seven-time all-star, Howell played a franchise record 1,160 games for the Rangers from 1952-69 and had his No. 3 retired by the team. He also played with the Oakland/California Golden Seals and Los Angeles Kings before finishing his career in the World Hockey Association.

Our #NYR family mourns the passing of Blueshirts legend and Hall of Famer Harry Howell.

Harry will always remain in our hearts and his #3 will forever grace The Garden rafters. pic.twitter.com/1rk92DaQ0A

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 10, 2019

Known by many as “Harry the Horse,” Howell won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenceman in 1967 and finished his career with 94 goals, 324 assists and 418 points over 1,411 games. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979.

Following his lengthy career, Howell briefly served as head coach of the 1979 Minnesota North Stars before spending several years as a scout between Minnesota, the Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers ending in 2004.

Howell, who lost his beloved wife Marilyn just a few weeks ago, was a 1952 OHA champion and Memorial Cup champion with the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters, a team that also included eventual NHL stars in Andy Bathgate and Dean Prentice. Howell’s No. 3 hangs next to Bathgate’s No. 9 atop Madison Square Garden.

The Hockey Hall of Fame is saddened to learn of the passing of Honoured Member Harry Howell. We offer our condolences to his family, friends, and fans. pic.twitter.com/MEgSlQduuB

— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) March 10, 2019