Holland got to spend three weeks as a goaltender with Howe and the Hartford Whalers in 1979-80, Howe's last professional season. But it was afterward that he really got to know him, while playing with his son Marty in the American Hockey League. Gordie would come to see Marty but would pop into the dressing room and talk to everybody.
"He treated us with respect," Holland said. "He'd tell us stories. He'd give us tips. He had time for us. He'd go from locker to locker to locker and visit."
For many years Holland has worked with Howe's son Mark, the Red Wings' director of pro scouting. Mark used to bring Gordie to a game, and they would sit in the office with whoever else was around. Gordie would tell stories and make everyone laugh. Then they would walk into the bowels of Joe Louis Arena and Gordie would stop to talk to person after person.
"Gordie is legendary for what he's done on the ice," Holland said. "But I think he's legendary for what he's done off the ice. That's the Gordie that I know. …
"It's a sad day, but we're all lucky to have lived when Gordie Howe lived, to have rubbed elbows with him per se, spent some time with him. He was just a special, special human being."