Gordie Howe resting after stroke: report

Hockey Hall of Fame member Gordie Howe is resting after having a serious stroke Sunday in Texas, the Detroit News reported Tuesday.

Howe, 86, lost some function on one side of his body and has difficulty speaking, the News reported. He is resting at his daughter's home in Lubbock, Texas, his son, Dr. Murray Howe, told the newspaper.

"Basically, sometime in the early morning on Sunday, he suffered a pretty bad stroke," Murray Howe said.

"The right side of his body is very, very weak. He's unable to stand without help. He's able to speak, but very, very difficult to speak.

"He knows who he is. He knows the people around him. But it is very difficult for him to get up and walk around. So he is pretty much confined to his bed right now. So we're just trying to keep him comfortable, and that's our goal."

"The entire National Hockey League family sends prayers for strength and healing to our revered Gordie Howe," Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "We all are thinking of Gordie and his loved ones as we wish him a speedy and full recovery."

Howe played 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings from 1946-1971 and won the Stanley Cup four times, six Hart Trophies and six Art Ross Trophies. He had 801 goals and 1,049 assists in 1,767 NHL games with Detroit and the Hartford Whalers.

Howe had spinal surgery this summer but Murray Howe told the newspaper he had returned to fairly fit shape, walking as much as a mile per day.