The Gordie Howe hat trick: A stat only suitable for Mr. Hockey

Upon retiring as the NHL's all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, Gordie Howe's colossal legacy is perhaps most remembered for a statistic he hardly ever recorded.

A goal, a fight, and an assist, in one game - known simply as the "Gordie Howe hat trick" - is one of hockey's most illustrious single-game performances.

Related: By the numbers: Looking back at Gordie Howe's incredible career

Skill and toughness - the two mainstays of Mr. Hockey's inimitable style of play - ironically only resulted in two Gordie Howe hat tricks throughout his career, one in 1953, and one in 1954.

Yet with 801 career goals, 1,049 assists, and 1,685 career penalty minutes in his NHL career, the title is only suitable for a legend like Howe.

There is no stat for Wayne Gretzky, nor Bobby Orr. Just for Howe, who patrolled the ice while feared for both his relentless physicality and his unprecedented knack for scoring.

The all-time leader in the unique statistic is Rick Tocchet, who recorded 18. Hall of Famer Brendan Shanahan and Brian Sutter are tied in second with 17.

The most recent came from San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Bruns on March 7, 2016.

As fights in the NHL continue to decline, the Gordie Howe hat trick has become an antique, but the accomplishment still garners notoriety and respect from peers, all because of No. 9.