As we bid farewell to a year filled with interesting people and unforgettable events, the writers at NHL.com detail the moments that meant the most to them in 2016.

Nick Cotsonika, NHL.com columnist

Joe Louis Arena became a cathedral June 14, four days after the death of Gordie Howe. A red carpet led to Howe's closed casket, which seemed to sit upon an altar. Above him was his No. 9, lowered from the rafters and illuminated by a spotlight, flanked by the four Stanley Cup banners he helped raise. His family sat to the right. Memorabilia from his career sat to the left: his Detroit Red Wings sweaters, his leather gloves, programs and photos and more. Wayne Gretzky, Scotty Bowman, Al Kaline and Steve Yzerman stood nearby. So did Howe's sons: Mark, Marty and Murray. Mark and Murray greeted mourners personally. They started at 9 a.m. and didn't finish until after 9 p.m., the official closing time, because they were determined to meet every last mourner. Gordie Howe was Mr. Hockey, an ambassador for the game, a man of the people. He was celebrated as he lived.

Dave Stubbs, NHL.com columnist

I was in my Pittsburgh hotel room on the morning of June 10, the morning after Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, packing to leave for Game 6 in San Jose, when I learned of the passing of NHL icon Gordie Howe.

Immediately, I canceled my trip west and spent the day in my room speaking by phone with more than 20 hockey legends who shared their memories of Mr. Hockey, many of them through their tears, before returning home to Montreal. There, for two days, I spoke with dozens more NHL greats before I flew back to Detroit to cover Gordie's dramatic and emotional Joe Louis Arena wake, and then his funeral.

I had covered the passings, wakes and funerals of Montreal Canadiens legends Maurice Richard in 2000, Jean Beliveau in 2014 and Elmer Lach and Dickie Moore in 2015. But reporting on the loss of Gordie Howe was unlike any other; hockey was saying goodbye to a man who in the eyes of many was the greatest player in NHL history, and a community much larger than the game was saying farewell to a truly inspiring and generous gentleman.

more memories from the NHL.com staff which are not Gordie Howe related...