Yahoo Sport 
New bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor named after Gordie Howe
As hockey legend Gordie Howe battles back from a severe stroke in October, “Mr. Hockey” was bestowed another honor.
On Thursday, Canadian prime minster Stephen Harper and Michigan governor Rick Snyder announced that a planned bridge crossing the Detroit River will be named after the Hockey Hall of Famer.
Originally referred to as the New International Trade Crossing, it will now be known as the Gordie Howe International Bridge, connecting Detroit and Windsor.
"This is joining two countries, two jurisdictions, two communities in what is a very strong and important relationship," Harper said. "And I don't think we could think of a better person who symbolizes that relationship better than Gordie Howe."
The Windsor-Detroit trade corridor is the busiest commercial land border crossing on the continent, processing 31 per cent of Canada-U.S. truck trade.
Last year, some 2.5 million trucks carrying $100 billion-plus in trade crossed through Windsor-Detroit.
Harper said construction of the $2.1 billion bridge is on-track with the project expected to be completed by 2020.
“When I told my Dad that the bridge would be named in his honor, he said, 'That sounds pretty good to me,’” said Howe’s son Murray. “He is deeply moved by this gracious gesture."
- - - - - - -
Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
MORE FROM YAHOO HOCKEY:
