By Kelly Malone

Gordie Howe’s childhood school celebrates his return to Saskatoon

Feb 5, 2015 | 4:45 PM

Cheers rang out through the King George Community School gym as they held up a red Gordie Howe flag with a big number nine emblazoned on the front.

The school held a special assembly Thursday morning to recognize the hockey legend who got his start playing at the nearby ponds and going to the school.

“To some of (the students) it was a surprise because they didn’t know and it has really motivated them to think that anybody can have a chance,” teacher Dustin Millar said.

“Gordie having come to our school when he was young, and living across the street, and we did some cards when he had his stroke to support him and his family and just say that we were thinking about him.”

Millar is also the coach for their Kinsmen Hockey League (KHL) team which started their season on Wednesday.

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“Most of the students have never played hockey before… (We) help them do something they maybe don’t get the opportunity to do in the hope that after when they are done the KHL they keep it going,” he said.

The special assembly also celebrated the start of the KHL season by presenting the school with one of only a few special flags from the City of Saskatoon with Howe’s name and number. The KHL will be playing the staff in a game of shinny on Friday afternoon to celebrate Howe’s return to the city.

“I knew that he was one of the best hockey players that there ever were,” Grade 8 student and hockey player Jasper Schroell said. “I like that he’s a good player.”

Grade 6 student Alanna Frampton said she didn’t know a lot about Howe but she’s excited to learn more now.

“I think it makes me feel great to know that we had someone who was a good hockey player, who grew up to be a hockey player that came to our school,” she said.

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