Watch: Red Wings fans sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Gordie Howe

What do you do for Mr. Hockey’s 88th birthday? Why, you get fans at Joe Louis Arena to serenade Gordie Howe with a rendition of "Happy Birthday!"

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Hockey legend Gordie Howe hits 88 years of age on Thursday, and the Detroit Red Wings helped start the birthday celebration early.

During the first period on Monday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, the crowd at Joe Louis Arena serenaded the man known as Mr. Hockey with a rendition of "Happy Birthday."

Happy 88th Gordie Howe! Sing it all together now...https://t.co/olntEKmM7u

— NHL (@NHL) March 29, 2016

Fans also celebrated the hockey legend with team-issued signs and while his actual birthday isn’t for a few days, it’s safe to say the man just enjoyed taking in the good old hockey game.

Mark Howe said Gordie was so excited when he told him they were going to the Red Wings game that he didn't sleep all night.

— Jen LC (@RegressedPDO) March 29, 2016

Sometimes, it’s the simple things that are loved the most.

Howe played right wing for the Red Wings between 1946–1971, appearing in 1,687 games. During that time, he tallied 786 goals and recorded 1,809 points. Howe, who dealt with health problems in 2014, suffering from a series of strokes, was inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.