“Elbows Up”:

I have to admit I had never heard of “Elbows Up” until this whole tariff thing came up. But of course, everyone has heard of Gordie Howe, a Canadian hockey legend. So I was curious... how does it apply to minor hockey today?

Gordie Howe was known for his toughness, skill, and a signature style of play that included an unspoken warning: “keep your elbows up.” It was more than a defensive move; it was a mindset. In an era when hockey was rough and respect was earned through resilience, the phrase “Elbows Up” came to symbolize readiness, grit, and standing your ground. Watching clips like this one, it’s clear he wasn’t just skilled—he earned the name "Mr. Hockey."

Hockey players like my dad who played in the Gordie Howe eras lived Elbows Up - playing hard, with no excuses... old school, often to their psychological or physical detriment. Toughness was king. He swore like a marine on and off the ice, and was what they would call now an "elite" player. One of his mottos was keep your head up. It was a nod towards accountability and staying aware. He was the kind of guy who would say "It was done to me and I'm okay," and we would laugh and say... "Are you sure about that?"

In today’s hockey culture, Elbows Up is the perfect way to tell bullying and maltreatment to "Get the Puck Outta Here." It’s about protecting yourself and your teammates by standing up for fairness, safety, and respect on and off the ice.

Let’s honor the grit and greatness of legends like Gordie Howe and oldtimers like my dad by teaching the next generation that real toughness includes speaking out, stepping up, and supporting each other. Elbows Up means putting in the hard work to be fearless leaders and role models, with the courage to stand up for change.

#PuckOffToBullying #MinorHockeyMatters #ElbowsUp #GordieHowe #HockeyCulture #RespectTheGame