Team History Series: Detroit Red Wings
By Joe Dolce
April 1, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Cory Emmerton (48) skates with the puck against the Florida Panthers at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE
In this installment of my Team History Series, I explore one of the most popular NHL hockey teams in history… the Detroit Red Wings.
This franchise is one of the original six teams, and came in with the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Montreal Canadiens.
The Red Wings have the most Stanley Cup wins than any other team in the U.S.A. with 11. Their win/loss record when reaching the Stanley Cup Finals is 11 wins, and 13 losses with a .458 win percentage.
The team is based in “Hockeytown, U.S.A.” or Detroit, Michigan. They play at the Joe Louis Arena, 19 Steve Yzerman Way, Detroit, MI 48226. Mike Ilitch, Chairman of Ilitch Holdings owns the team. Ken Holland is their General Manager, and Mike Babcock are their Head Coach. The “C” is currently vacant with the retirement of Nicklas Erik Lidstrom.
The Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL), and the Toldedo Walleye of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) are the minor league affiliates.
The team was founded, and started playing, in 1926 as the Detroit Cougars. From 1930-1932, they played as the Detroit Falcons. In 1932, the team was renamed (and has kept it ever since) as the Detroit Red Wings. Before starting play in 1979 at the Joe Louis Arena, they played at Olympia Stadium. The stadium was closed in 1979, and was demolished in 1987.
Stanley Cups were won in 1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008.
Conference Championships were won in 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008, and 2009. This is remarkable considering how long the franchise has been playing.
Division Championships were won in 1934, 1936, 1937, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011.
That’s all about the Wings. Until next time, I think I’ll have some Barbeque Chicken Wings. After all the sauce is red.. and, they will see some RED RISING when they come to Sunrise again. :)