1971-72 O-Pee-Chee 153 Harry Howell Hockey Card (Front)
1971-72 O-Pee-Chee 153 Harry Howell Hockey Card (Back)
1971-72 O-Pee-Chee NHL Checklist
Card Notes
“Harry’s brother Ron is a football star.”
Ron Howell, younger than brother Harry by three years, was indeed a football star. Ron played as a running back in the Canadian Football League from 1954 to 1966. The bulk of his success was with the Hamilton Tiger Cats but he also played for the British Columbia Lions, Toronto Argonauts and Montreal Alouettes.
In 1954, Howell was honoured with the Gruen Award as the Outstanding Canadian Rookie in the CFL’s East Division. The award was given out from 1946 to 1972. The Gruen was retired and replaced by the Schenley Trophy which honoured the league’s top rookie, regardless of nationality.
Ron was the fifth winner of the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian Award in 1958. The trophy was first handed out in 1954 and was won by Gerry James. James was a two sport athlete that spent time in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Gerry is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
Ron Howell was also a two sport man, he just didn’t play the game as much as his older brother. Ron spent his Junior A hockey with the Kitchener Greenshirts and Guelph Biltmores from 1952-53 to 1955-56. He appeared in a total of four National Hockey League games, three with the Rangers in 1954-55 and one with New York in 1955-56. He was later signed by the Maple Leafs but never appeared with the club.
“Harry is 10th player in NHL history to play 20 seasons.”
Harry Howell remains tied for 22nd spot when it comes to most seasons played in the NHL. He appeared in one more with the Los Angeles Kings to finish with 21 seasons played. Harry also went on to play parts of three seasons in the WHA before retiring.
The NHL record for most seasons played belongs to Chris Chelios and Gordie Howe. Each of these Hockey Hall of Fame legends appeared in 26 seasons in the National Hockey League.
“Holds record of 1,160 games with New York Rangers.”
What is written on the back of this 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee Harry Howell hockey card still holds true today. Howell remains at the top of the list when it comes to regular season games played with the Rangers at 1,160.
Howell finished his NHL career with 1,411 regular season games played. This still ranks him 12th all-time for defensemen, two games more than Paul Coffey.