Detroit Red Wings: A Century of Hockey Excellence and Legendary Alumni

As the Detroit Red Wings celebrate their 100th year, it's a fitting moment to delve into the storied history of this iconic franchise and honor the players who have contributed to its legacy. From the "Original Six" era to the modern game, the Red Wings have been home to some of the most talented and memorable players in NHL history. This article will explore the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association and list some of the top players who have donned the winged wheel, leaving an indelible mark on the franchise and the sport.

The Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association

The Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association stands as a testament to the enduring bonds formed through hockey and the commitment to giving back to the community. Originating from informal gatherings at Butcher's Inn in Detroit's Eastern Market, where former stars would meet, share stories, and discuss the possibility of a formal organization, the association has grown into the largest and most active of its kind in the NHL.

Humble Beginnings and Growth

Tommy Emmett, a member of the Detroit Lions Alumni Association, initially suggested the idea to Larry Cain and other former Red Wings players, recognizing the growing number of alumni residing in Southeast Michigan. After an initial meeting at Butcher's Inn in 1959, the Red Wings Alumni Club was officially formed. Key figures like Stu Evans, Ebbie Goodfellow, Jack Stewart, and Sid Abel played pivotal roles in its establishment.

Purpose and Activities

The Red Wings Alumni Association operates as a non-profit organization, dedicated to raising money for charitable causes and supporting minor league hockey. Each season, the association hosts approximately 25 charity games across Michigan and Ontario, featuring former Red Wings, NHL players, and ex-college stars. These games provide entertainment for fans while contributing to significant fundraising efforts.

Charitable Impact

The association donates over $40,000 annually to various charities in Michigan and Ontario, with total funds raised through charitable events often exceeding $100,000 each year. These contributions are particularly meaningful, considering that many alumni did not earn massive salaries during their playing careers and have other full-time responsibilities.

Read also: Red Wings: 100 Years

Success Factors

The Red Wings Alumni Association's success can be attributed to several factors:

Long and Storied History: As one of the "Original Six" teams, the Red Wings have a rich history and a large pool of alumni to draw from.
Dedicated Members: The association boasts a roster of legendary players, including Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, and Ted Lindsay, as well as stars from other NHL teams who reside in the region.
Fair Play: The association provides its own referees, such as Jimmy Peters Sr., a former NHL player, ensuring fair and enjoyable games.
Uncompensated Time: Unlike some other NHL alumni associations, the Red Wings Alumni members do not receive compensation for their time, emphasizing their commitment to the cause.

A Model for Others

The Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association's success has made it a model for other alumni organizations, both new and old, across North America. Its dedication to charity, community involvement, and the celebration of hockey history has solidified its reputation as one of the most respected alumni associations in professional sports.

Top Players in Red Wings History

Selecting the top players in Red Wings history is a challenging task, given the wealth of talent that has graced the ice in Detroit. The following list attempts to highlight some of the most impactful and unforgettable players who have worn the winged wheel.

1. Gordie Howe: "Mr. Hockey"

Gordie Howe is the gold standard for what it meant to be a Red Wing. He won four Stanley Cups and six Hart Trophies and once held the goal-scoring record. Howe was the prototype for complete forwards, thanks to his silky hands, brute strength, and aggressive demeanor. He was the face of hockey during his greatest seasons. Howe holds regular season records for most games played (1687), most points (1809), and most goals (786). Howe was a member of a Stanley Cup-winning team four times with the Red Wings and his uniform number 9 was retired by the club.

2. Steve Yzerman

Nobody was the heart and soul of the Detroit Red Wings like Yzerman, and he played that role for over two decades. He played and led by example, and had more patience than just about everyone, lifting the Cup in 1997 after 14 long seasons. Yzerman holds the regular season record for most assists with 1063. Yzerman also leads the team in points and goals scored in the playoffs with 185 and 70, respectively.

3. Nicklas Lidstrom: "The Perfect Human"

Lidstrom redefined what it meant to be a defenseman as one of the greatest playmakers of his era. He won the Norris Trophy an unprecedented seven times and won four Cups - all in the winged wheel. Lidstrom holds team marks with 129 assists and 263 games played in the playoffs.

4. Alex Delvecchio

Delvecchio played in over 1,500 games in the winged wheel, centering the second incarnation of that legendary Production Line and amassing 1,281 points in the process. He wasn’t flashy, but wow, his longevity and production were hard to match. This guy was the Detroit Red Wings through and through in so many ways, and a true lifer who saw ice time for 24 seasons.

5. Sergei Fedorov

Fedorov had a lethal combo of speed, skill, and strength, and few possessed those traits more. Fedorov could dominate the game in any zone, and he’s got a Hart and two Selke Trophies to his name to prove it. Fedorov was that generational talent who impacted the way forwards played the game.

6. Pavel Datsyuk: "The Magic Man"

Datsyuk never failed to make jaws drop. His hands were alien; he displayed elite vision, and his three Selke Trophies drive home how good he was defensively. For a decade, Datsyuk was one of hockey’s most entertaining players and a cornerstone for the Red Wings 2008 Cup run.

7. Henrik Zetterberg

For a former 210th overall pick, it’s fair to say Henrik Zetterberg had an outstanding career. The former Conn Smythe winner showcased a blend of skill, leadership, and defensive prowess, carrying the torch of greatness after Steve Yzerman’s and Nicklas Lidstrom’s playing days ended.

8. Terry Sawchuk

Some might call him the greatest goalie of his era, and they have a point. He won the Vezina four times (three with the Wings) and was the backbone for some of their greatest teams of the era. Sawchuk holds the regular season lead in games played (734), wins (351), losses (243), ties (132), and shutouts (85). Sawchuk won the Stanley Cup three times in Detroit, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and had his uniform number 1 retired by the team.

9. Ted Lindsay: "Terrible Ted"

“Terrible Ted” was a pioneer on the ice as a fearless scorer and agitator. He helped form the NHLPA off the ice, while on it, he snagged four Cups and helped define what it meant to be a power forward despite his smaller size, thanks to his rough style of play.

10. Norm Ullman

An offensive force in the 1950s and ‘60s, Norm Ullman was one of the most consistent point producers out there. He had elite hands and put up 324 goals while wearing the winged wheel during his 13 seasons there, good for nearly 25 a year.

11. Red Kelly

Before he became an icon for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Red Kelly dominated on the Red Wings blue line. He won four Cups with Detroit and was one of the game's best early two-way blueliners. You couldn’t match Kelly’s versatility in those days. He could play defense and forward, and he thrived at both. A gentleman on and off the ice, he helped define what it meant to play with class.

12. Jimmy Howard

Howard gave a team stability in the net through a transitional period. Howard did just that, playing hard and sometimes through injuries, snagging a 0.915 save percentage and a 2.48 GAA with 24 shutouts between 2010 and 2018.

13. Marcel Pronovost

Pronovost played over 900 games in the winged wheel, anchoring the blue line until the mid-1960s. He won four Cups with the Wings and brought some serious grit. Think of Pronovost as the Lidstrom before Lidstrom; an excellent player who always found himself in the right position.

14. Sid Abel

A legend during the Original Six era, Abel was a member of that famed Production Line alongside Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay. By the time his playing days ended, Abel won three Cups and a Hart Trophy.

15. Brendan Shanahan

Brendan Shanahan set the standard with toughness, enviable skill, and outright fearless play. He brought an edge to some of those championship teams when he arrived in 1996, and he may’ve been that final piece to those Cup-winning teams.

16. Reed Larson

He might be one of the most underrated blueliners in franchise history, but wow, what a power play machine between 1977 and 1986. He racked up 188 goals during his time wearing the winged wheel, and for the era he played in, that’s an outstanding number.

17. Chris Osgood

He backstopped Detroit to multiple Cups and played his absolute best hockey when the stakes were the highest. Consistency, durability, and strong play in the clutch are why he’s on this list. When you were all tied up in the third period and needed a big save, Osgood stepped up nearly every time.

18. Igor Larionov: "The Professor"

The Professor’s calm presence and elite vision were staples of the Red Wings puck-possession dominance in the 1990s. Few could slow down such a chaotic game like Larionov.

19. Chris Chelios

He spent one more year in the Motor City than with the Blackhawks. He was almost 40 when he burst onto the scene, and somehow still snagged big minutes against top lines. He was a warrior, plain and simple. Chelios brought leadership and experience, but he was an ageless wonder whose body seemed unbreakable.

20. John Ogrodnick

Before the dynasty years, there was John Ogrodnick, one of the lone bright spots in the 1980s. He was legendary in 1984-85, putting up 55 goals and 105 points, carrying the offense on its back when the team wasn’t competitive.

21. Bob Probert

You could argue Bob Probert was one of the most feared men in hockey. He dropped gloves often, but he wasn’t all fisticuffs. This guy could score, once putting up 62 points and 29 goals in 1987-88 while racking up 398 penalty minutes.

22. Slava Fetisov

He may’ve only spent three and a half years wearing the winged wheel, but Fetisov brought leadership, poise, and instant credibility to the Wings blue line. One of the original Russian Five, he revolutionized the way the Wings played during those late-90s championship runs.

23. Vladimir Konstantinov

Konstantinov would’ve been one of the greatest blueliners in NHL history if tragedy never struck. He took fourth and second place for the Norris in 1996 and 1997, respectively, and played with so much fire that opponents thought twice before skating near him.

24. Kris Draper

Draper was one of those high-energy grinders. He never lit up the stat sheet, but wow, did he make an enormous impact, or what? Defensive zone faceoffs, penalty kills, and shutting down top lines were his specialty.

25. Dylan Larkin

Larkin’s already earned his place on this list for simply surviving this long, drawn-out rebuild. The Waterford native’s a leader who wears the ‘C’ with passion and if the Wings return to complete relevance, he’ll be the centerpiece.

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