Gordie Howe, the hockey legend from the Prairies, was honoured by the University of Saskatchewan Thursday with a doctorate degree.

The 82-year-old’s professional hockey career spanned 32 seasons, and along the way he collected four Stanley Cups, amassed more than 1,800 points and was a six-time winner of the National Hockey’s League’s most valuable player award.

Because he was a statesman for the game, Howe was nicknamed Mr. Hockey, a name he eventually trademarked.

“Beyond his hockey accomplishments, he has demonstrated quiet dignity and a selfless manner,” Peter MacKinnon, the president of the University of Saskatchewan, said at the ceremony. “Reminding us that greatness goes beyond our careers and accomplishments.”

A native of Floral, Howe rose from humble beginnings in Depression-era Saskatchewan to international hockey stardom.

He always had a modest demeanor off the ice and on Thursday Howe declined to speak at the presentation where he was given a doctorate in law.

Grandson Travis Howe said his grandfather was moved by the honour.

“He had tears in his eyes,” he said. “Tears of happiness. I know just being back in Saskatoon meant a whole lot to him.”

Hockey fan Bryan Bilokreli was one of the people who suggested the university honour Howe.

“Watching him throughout my childhood and adult life and seeing what he’s accomplished in that sport really made me feel that the university and the province had an opportunity to honour him for that,” Bilokreli said.

During the presentation, Howe was recognized for his athletic accomplishments and his charity work to help underprivileged children play hockey.

Hey folks,

Just a quick message to let you know NHL Series 23 is in stock and it’s chalked full of collector-related goodness! This set includes:

The green Howe is actually the variant. The normal one is white. There’s super-chases for everyone except Schenn, but his regular variant is out there. We have a of the super chases too, but they’re selling fast! Pop in to have a look, why not?!

One of our best McFarlane Hockey Collectors, Jean, sent us some pictures of how he likes to display his collection.  It looks great!

If you have a massive collection of your own and you want us to feature it, just send us an email to toysonfireott at yahoo dot com.

Most of our customers, both new and old, are amazed by our selection of NHL McFarlane figures, we have an entire wall of them, and then some! As some of you may have noticed, we were getting kind of low (I didn’t know that was possible!), so, we restocked! Everyone’s favorites are now back in stock, Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Patrick Roy, and the hometown Ottawa Senators, Alfredsson, Heatley, and Spezza! These are the perfect gift for the NHL fan in your family!

To give our internet viewers an idea, of what I am talking about, here are some pictures:

I know there are people out there in internet-land who are just as excited about this news as I am, UPPERDECK SERIES 1 is in stock now!

Upperdeck’s flagship brand and the “Home of the Rookie Card” has been released. Each box contains 6 rookie cards, the first rookie cards of Steven Stamkos, Luke Schenn, Kyle Turris, and many more! Along with the 6 random rookies, you will also receive 2 game used jersey cards, and many great looking inserts.

Here’s a sneak peak at what you could get:

—$3.95 for a 8 card pack, or $79.95 for a 24 pack box. Get them now, the rookie’s are going to be HOT!

-Dave

You heard it right, Toys on Fire will be sponsoring the St. Joseph’s High School Hockey Night with the Ottawa 67’s! Here’s the rundown:

Friday, October 24th

7:30PM at the Civic Centre

Ottawa 67’s take on the Sarnia Sting

All proceeds go towards St. Joe’s High School Project, and the Shepherds of Good Hope!

And last but not least, tickets are $10 ONLY at Toys on Fire! You’d be paying $15 at the box office, but we got ourselves a special deal. Don’t pass up the opportunity the see some great hockey, and support some good causes!

I am sure everyone in Ottawa has been anxiously awaiting the new hockey season, if only to put the memory of last years horrendous season behind us, but with the new season, comes new hockey card products!

Upperdeck has released a brand new product (To Hockey collectors atleast, this is a familiar product for baseball collectors), UD Black! This is a very high end product, which comes with 2 packs, and 2 cards per pack. It’s a very big gamble, but some of the cards in this product are simply amazing, and well worth the money.

This product is not for everyone, but I know everyone likes to see what can be in one of these boxes, so, here are some of the cards on eBay that have already been pulled, some real nice stuff in this set:

It’s certainly out of my price range, so I will not be purchasing it, so, someone has to come buy the 4 boxes we received…

–Dave

Yes everyone, NHL Series 19 is in stock, I know everyone has been patiently waiting for this, as we had a lot of pre-orders for them. The series includes the following:

Alexei Kovalev (Montreal Canadiens)

Ryan Smyth (Colorado Avalanche)

Bernie Parent (Philadelphia Flyers)

Tony Esposito (Montreal Canadiens) I am not sure how he snuck in here, he only played 17 games for Montreal…

Grant Fuhr (Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgray Flames) They decided to give him 2 figures for some reason…

Don Cherry (Coach Uniform)

That’s all for now, check back when series 20 comes out in October!

—Dave