By Lasia Kretzel

Gordie Howe may return to Saskatoon

Dec 19, 2014 | 6:33 AM

As he continues on the long road to recovery, hockey legend Gordie Howe could make a stop in Saskatoon in the new year.

If his health holds, Howe is set to appear at the Kinsmen Sports Celebrity Dinner on Feb. 6. Howe’s son Murray thinks his dad is doing well enough to make the trip.

“In Murray’s words exactly, he’s up and he’s kicking ass,” Howe’s sister, Helen Cummine, said with a laugh.

The impending visit has Cummine, excited about a possible family reunion.

Cummine, who lives in Saskatoon, said she hasn’t seen her brother in two or three years and would love to have the remaining four of nine siblings in one place again. She said she also expects Howe’s children to come as well.

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But she said she has mixed feelings about the big event.

“I would be anxious to have them come but on the other hand, I don’t know if it’s good for (Howe),” she said. “I’m not really sure what the people expect of him. I just hope they understand his condition and what he’s able to do and what he can’t do anymore.”

Howe, 86, suffered a series of strokes in October and November.

Cummine said she’s been told Howe is up, taking steps, trying to put words into sentences and “joking around a little bit.”

The last time Howe appeared at the Kinsmen dinner was in 2010.

Howe’s family said the dinner, featuring keynote speaker and fellow hockey-great Wayne Gretzky, will likely be the hockey hall of famer’s final public appearance.

“As time goes on and they reassure that he’s doing okay, it will get exciting,” Cummine said, adding she can’t wait to reconnect with her brother. “He’s never changed on bit since he left home. He comes home and it’s the same old person I remember when we were kids.”

Corporate tables for the dinner cost $7,500 and are on sale at kcos.ca.

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