Gordie Howe’s Hometown Hockey connection to Galt

The Galt Arena Gardens has a history that’s nearly unmatched.

It’s the oldest continuously operating arena in the world (having opened in 1922, it’s predated by the Matthews Arena in Boston, which opened in 1910; however, unlike Matthews Arena, the Galt Arena has managed to stay in continuous operation throughout renovations), and as such, it’s only natural that the nearly century-old rink would see its share of hockey legends through the years.

Both Terry Sawchuk and Bobby Hull laced up their skates in the old arena over the years, but as hockey historians in Galt are quick to tell you, at the top of the list is Mr. Hockey himself, Gordie Howe.

The Hall of Famer arrived in town as a 16-year-old in 1944, planning on playing for the Junior A Red Wings.

As Cambridge author David Menary notes, Howe was disqualified from playing after just one game, because teams were only allowed one import from Western Canada. It nearly caused the Red Wings legend to leave just as soon as he’d arrived.

LISTEN: David Menary on Gordie Howe and the Galt Arena

“Al Murray was the coach of the Red Wings here in Galt,” said Menary, “and Al convinced Gordie to stay in Galt and practice with the team, saying he’d get much more out of practising and playing exhibition games with the team than he would going back to Saskatchewan.”

Newly-settled in Galt, Howe was supposed to attend Galt Collegiate; however, Menary says the teen was so nervous and shy on his first day of school that he gave away his books and applied for a job at the first factory he could.

“There was a funny story there,” the author adds. “His boss, partway through the year, said, ‘Gordie, forget about your hockey career, this is the place you want to be: Galt Metal.’ Nobody knew, of course, he was going to go on to become perhaps the greatest hockey player of all time.”

Menary is the author of ‘Gordie Howe: A Year in Galt’.