Red Wings to wear uniform patch to honor Gordie Howe

The Detroit Red Wings will wear a commemorative patch during the 2016-17 regular season in honor of Gordie Howe, who died June 10 at age 88.
Howe played for the Red Wings from 1946-71, winning six NHL scoring titles, helping Detroit win the Stanley Cup four times, setting scoring records that lasted for decades and earning the nickname "Mr. Hockey."

The Red Wings will wear the commemorative "9" patch above the logo on the front of the jersey on the left side of the chest for all home and road games this season, beginning with the season opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Oct. 13. They will wear a white "9" patch on their red home jerseys and a red "9" patch on their white road jerseys.
"Our team wanted to honor 'Mr. Hockey,' due to his incredible impact on the game of hockey, the Red Wings organization and the city of Detroit," Tom Wilson, president and CEO of Olympia Entertainment, said Tuesday in a statement. "Wearing the '9' jersey patch will be one of many ways our team will celebrate and look back on the life and career of Gordie during the upcoming season."
Also, the Red Wings have painted a red "9" in the ice behind each net at Joe Louis Arena to honor Howe throughout the preseason and regular season. An in-game tribute to Howe will be held during the Detroit's home opener against the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 17.