UPDATE: Gordie Howe’s son says he’s ‘up and kicking ass’

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 Howe family has released a statement that Gordie’s remarkable recovery could be due to a two-day stem cell clinical trial in Mexico last week.

The statement goes on to detail that the family was contacted by two doctors who knew of the Howes because of connections to the Detroit Red Wings and being Gordie Howe fans. 

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The statement said Gordie’s response to the treatment was “truly miraculous” and he was walking with minimal effort one day after the procedure and helping out with daily chores five days after. 

“When tested, his ability to name items has gone from less than 25% before the procedure to 85% today. His physical therapists have been astonished. Although his short term memory, strength, endurance and coordination have plenty of room for improvement, we are hopeful that he will continue to improve in the months to come,” the statement said.

Read the entire statement here.

The impending visit from Gordie to Saskatoon 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.

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 one 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.

-With files from The Hockey News and News Talk Radio’s Lasia Kretzel. 

news@panow.com 

On Twitter: @princealbertnow