Members of the NHL: Central Division. Formed in 1926-27, winners of 11 Stanley Cups, most recently a run of four in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008. The Red Wings play in the self-proclaimed "HOCKEYTOWN, USA". The team name is ironically a tribute to a Montreal team, when an owner in the 30s named the team in honour of a former team he'd owned, the Montreal Winged Wheelers.
Detroit was the longtime home of the incomparable Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, and of legendary coach Jack Adams. Howe, together with Ted Lindsay and Sid Abel, formed the "Production Line" which was one of hockey's greatest. It was Lindsay who started the victory tradition of circling the ice with the Stanley Cup.
Another Detroit tradition is throwing an octopus onto the ice during playoff games. The eight arms symbolize the 8 games originally needed to win the Cup.
From the Detroit "Dead Things" of the 1970s and 80s to owner Mike Ilitch's near-dynasty Stanley Cup teams of the late 90s and early 2000s, Red Wings hockey has been a roller coaster ride for the fans.
Finally in 2004 it seemed like the Red Wings' run had ended. After being bounced in the 2nd round of the 2004 playoffs, analysts agreed that the team seemed old and slow. "Brett Hull played like an old man afraid of being splashed by a bus," carped the Detroit Free Press. "These guys are superstars, sure, but so is Ted Lindsay and I don't like his chances against Jarome Iginla, either."
After the 2004 NHL player lockout, the Wings came back with a strong season. Powered by young guns Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, as well as the strong play of team captain Steve Yzerman, the Wings finished the regular season first overall with 124 points. But again crushing disappointment lurked in the playoffs. The statistically inferior, 8th-seed-in-the-west Edmonton Oilers outworked and outhustled the Wings to take their first-round series in 6 games, and the Wings went golfing.
The Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in 1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008.
The Red Wings won the Presidents' Trophy for the 1994-95, 1995-96, 2001-02, 2003-04, 2005-06 and 2007-08 seasons.
Team colours: Red and white.
Almost 40 players in the Hockey Hall of Fame once wore the winged wheel, and there are many more to come, as the team's dominant streak continues from the 90's into the new millennium.
Retired Numbers:
Thanks to the Red Wings home page and avalyn for assists.