SAN JOSE — From general manager Jim Rutherford to superstar captain Sidney Crosby, the fingerprints of the late Gordie Howe have left a lasting imprint that forever will influence their lives.
When Rutherford, the Penguins GM, broke into the NHL as a 21-year-old rookie goaltender with the Red Wings in the 1970-71 season, Howe, then 42, already had cobbled together a legendary resume, one that included four Stanley Cups, six Hart Trophies as league MVP, six scoring titles and 20 all-star game appearances.
Wide-eyed freshman, meet Mr. Hockey.
“Of course, your first year in the league is exciting enough, but when you enter that room with such a great player like him, it was special,” Rutherford said Saturday.