Orr considers Gordie Howe, the Detroit Red Wings Hall of Famer and six-time NHL Most Valuable Player, the best all-around player ever. Coincidentally, it was against Howe鈥檚 Red Wings that Orr made his NHL debut in 1966. Orr was so excited that he showed up at the Boston Garden at 1 o鈥檆lock for a 7:30 p.m. game. As much as he admired Howe, the two got 鈥渋nto it a bit.鈥� At one point Howe, who was known for his physical play, decided to send a message to Orr, whom he flattened with a blindside hit as Orr took a split second to admire a pass he鈥檇 made. A scrum of bodies converged over the fallen rookie as several teammates came to Orr鈥檚 defense, but he looked up and said, 鈥� It鈥檚 okay, guys, I deserved that.鈥�
PETER SOUTHWICK/AP
