Ex-Canuck John Garrett Finally Recognized for Assist on Gordie Howe’s Final Goal—45 Years Later…
After more than four decades, John Garrett is finally being acknowledged for a piece of hockey history that’s long overdue.
Forty-five years ago, NHL legend Gordie Howe netted the last goal of his iconic career at the remarkable age of 52. This momentous goal came during the playoffs, as a member of the Hartford Whalers, against the storied Montreal Canadiens—who had just secured four consecutive Stanley Cup victories.
In a rare gesture of respect, Canadiens fans at the Montreal Forum rose to their feet in a standing ovation, celebrating Howe’s goal—even though it came from the opposing side during a playoff game. Their team still held an 8-4 lead late in the third period and was en route to sweeping the best-of-five series in three straight games, so their goodwill came easily.
The goal was a perfect end to Howe’s unparalleled career, made all the more meaningful by the fact that the primary assist came from his son, Mark Howe. To this day, Gordie Howe remains the only player in NHL history to play alongside his sons—Mark and Marty—on the same team, doing so with the Whalers that season.
However, the goal’s official record has been incomplete all this time.
Mark didn’t simply appear with the puck; he received it from a pass behind the net—delivered by none other than Whalers goalie John Garrett.
Many Vancouver Canucks fans know Garrett well from his years playing with the team and later serving as their long-time colour commentator. Before his Canucks career, though, Garrett began his NHL journey the very season Gordie Howe ended his. He shared goaltending duties during the 1979-80 season with the Whalers and started one playoff game—Game 2 against Montreal.
That night didn’t go smoothly for Garrett, as he surrendered eight goals on 40 shots. Yet, it ended with a historic moment: he helped create Howe’s final goal.
But when the NHL recorded the goal, Garrett’s assist was left out.
Garrett has mentioned this omission multiple times. In a 2023 interview on After Hours, he passionately made his case.
“That’s a hard pass,” Garrett emphasized while reviewing the play. “Mark takes it, Mark gives it to Gordie, and Gordie scores a beautiful goal. How do I not get an assist? I even called Benny Ercolani, the NHL’s longtime statistician.”
He admitted he didn’t push the issue after the game, knowing how minor it would seem after such a one-sided loss.
Back in 2013, Canucks fans took up the cause on social media with the hashtag #GiveItToCheech (Garrett’s nickname), campaigning for the NHL to update the records. Nothing came of it at the time—but now, over a decade later, Garrett is finally getting his due.
During the second intermission of Game 2 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, broadcaster Ron MacLean delivered the long-awaited news.
“Colin Campbell of the NHL has asked former players to refrain from flooding the league with assist requests,” MacLean said humorously, “but they’re making an exception for this one—and it’s a great one.”
MacLean went on to describe the goal: a backhand shot that may have deflected off a Canadiens defender before beating goalie Denis Herron.
“Garrett moved the puck to Mark, who then set up Gordie,” MacLean said. “But officially, the records have only shown Mark as the lone assist. That’s changing.”
“It’s now official—John Garrett has an assist on the final goal ever scored by Mr. Hockey himself,” MacLean concluded.
Now, if only the NHL could go back and right another wrong—like awarding Garrett the MVP title from the 1983 All-Star Game (and the Pontiac Firebird that was controversially given to Wayne Gretzky instead).
