Gordie Howe dies at 88

The hockey world lost one of its most legendary players and most beloved figures Friday morning with the death of Gordie Howe at 88.

The Hall of Famer, who earned the nickname Mr. Hockey, defined longevity in a career that spanned five decades.

Howe played 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings and retired in 1971, but returned to spend six campaigns in the WHA with the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers. He played his final NHL season with the Hartford Whalers in 1980.

He holds the NHL record with 1,767 games played, ranks second all time with 802 goals, and sits fourth in NHL history with 1,850 points.

Howe won the Stanley Cup four times, captured the Hart Trophy six times as the NHL's MVP, and won six Art Ross trophies as the league's leading scorer.

He was known for his scoring prowess and his physical style of play, becoming the namesake of the "Gordie Howe hat trick" - a goal, an assist, and a fight. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972, and his No. 9 hangs from the rafters at Joe Louis Arena.

Related: The Gordie Howe hat trick: A stat only suitable for Mr. Hockey

Howe suffered a serious stroke in October 2014 and made a remarkable recovery after undergoing stem cell treatment shortly thereafter, attending a charity event in his home province of Saskatchewan in February 2015 and appearing at a pair of Red Wings home games.

The Red Wings helped him celebrate his 88th birthday in March.