( CNN ) -- Hockey great Gordie Howe , who suffered a `` significant '' stroke Sunday morning , is showing signs of improvement , his family said Wednesday in a written statement . Howe suffered the stroke while at his daughter 's home in Lubbock , Texas . He has returned there while he recovers and is described as in guarded condition . `` We acknowledge that there is a long road to recovery ahead , but Dad 's spirits are good and his competitive attitude remains strong , '' the family statement said . On Tuesday , one of Howe 's sons told CNN the stroke affected his father 's entire right side . Marty Howe said family members were on their way to Texas to visit with their father . The family said well-wishers could send cards to : Gordie Howe , c/o Texas Trailer Corral , 2207 Hwy 87 , Lubbock , TX 79423 . `` Our thoughts and prayers are with Gordie and the Howe family . Get well soon , Mr. Hockey , '' the Detroit Red Wings tweeted Tuesday . Howe , 86 , was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972 . He was a member of four Stanley Cup champion teams with the Red Wings and was the NHL 's Most Valuable Player six times . He scored 801 goals in his 26 years in two stints in the league . In between , he also played six seasons in the World Hockey Association and added 174 more goals . The Detroit News reported that Howe had spinal surgery during the summer , according to another son , Dr. Murray Howe . But the son said Howe had been doing well in the months since the surgery and told the newspaper that Howe had been walking a mile a day pain free . `` So we helped him with one problem , '' Murray Howe , a radiologist in Ohio , told the News . `` But this one is a little bit tougher to fight . '' Many lists of the greatest hockey players of all time put Howe as the third best player , behind Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Orr . CNN 's Jill Martin and Kevin Dotson contributed to this report .
Gordie Howe is recovering at his daughter 's home in Lubbock , Texas . He had a stroke that has affected him on his right side . Gordie Howe was a six-time Most Valuable Player in the NHL . Howe , known as `` Mr. Hockey , '' scored 975 goals in his professional hockey career .