Who is the only person to play professional hockey in six different decades?

Gordie Howe is the only player in hockey history to appear in professional games across six different decades: the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Howe first began his career with the Detroit Red Wings in 1946. After briefly retiring in 1971, Howe returned to play alongside his sons in the World Hockey Association before finishing his NHL career with the Hartford Whalers. In 1997, at age 69, he signed a one-day contract with the Detroit Vipers, becoming the only person to play professional hockey in six separate decades.