Hallmark Channel Premieres MR. HOCKEY: THE GORDIE HOWE STORY Tonight

Hallmark Channel, Brightlight Pictures and Inferno Pictures have forged an unprecedented partnership to reignite the incredible legacy of Gordie Howe who, at age 45, returned to the ice after his retirement for the opportunity to play professional hockey and win a championship with his sons.

The extraordinary true story is brought to life in the U.S. Television Premiere of the Hallmark Channel Original Movie, MR. HOCKEY: THE GORDIE HOWE STORY, tonight, May 4 (9p.m. ET/PT, 8C). Michael Shanks ("Stargate SG-1") stars as Gordie Howe and Kathleen Robertson ("Beverly Hills 90210") stars as "Mrs. Hockey," Colleen Howe in the inspiring family drama based on a true story. The film is dedicated to Colleen who used her incredible strength and resilience to broker the deal of her husband's amazing return to hockey and remarkably become the first ever female sports agent.

Regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of all time, Gordie Howe (Shanks) was finished playing hockey after his retirement from the National Hockey League (NHL). When he is offered a contract - brokered by his wife Colleen - to play alongside his sons in the newly formed World Hockey Association (WHA), the 45-year-old legend prepares for a surprising comeback. Together with sons Mark (Andrew Herr) and Marty (Dylan Playfair) and the support of his wife Colleen (Robertson), Gordie relocates his family and returns to the rink to play professional hockey with the Houston Aeros. Though many skeptics label this as "the biggest publicity stunt in hockey history," Gordie proves his critics wrong and attempts to accomplish the unthinkable of playing professional hockey and winning a championship with his sons. For one of the most beloved and iconic professional hockey stars of his era, this is Gordie Howe's second chance to once again become "Mr. Hockey." As the Howes hit the ice, they come together to discover the power of family, courage and faith.

"Mr. Hockey: The Gordie Howe Story" is a Brightlight Pictures / Inferno Pictures Production in Association with Nutmeg Film Productions, LLC and Mike Ilitch, Jr. Productions. Stephen Hegyes, Shawn Williamson, Ian Dimerman, Karyn Edwards, Howard Baldwin, Karen Baldwin, William J. Immerman and Mike Ilitch, Jr. are the executive producers. Malcolm MacRury is the co-executive producer. Brendon Sawatzky and Brendan Ferguson are the producers. Andy Mikita directed from a script by Malcolm MacRury.

Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming available in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to a national audience of over 87 million subscribers. Hallmark Channel is the nation's leading destination for quality family programming with an ambitious slate of original TV movies and specials, as well as some of television's most beloved sitcoms and series, including The Golden Girls, Frasier, Little House on the Prairie, and Happy Days. The channel is also home to a range of lifestyle programming, anchored by Home & Family, a daily two-hour live show shot in a fully functional house located on the Universal Studios lot, and Marie, a one-hour talk show hosted by iconic entertainer, Marie Osmond. Hallmark Channel's sibling network, Hallmark Movie Channel, also available in HD and SD, focuses on family-friendly movies with a mix of original films, classic theatrical releases, and presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library.

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