Detroit Red Wings







The story of the Detroit Red Wings begin back in the 1920s, where Detroit decided to create a hockey team. Nicknames were given as the "Dead Things" in the 80s, but later changed to "Hockey Town" in the 90s.

In the history of the Red Wings, they have won a total of nine Stanley Cups.

Their first year was in 1926, where Detroit played at the Border Cities Arena in Windsor, and they were known as the Detroit Cougars. They lost the first game, and ended up in last place at the end of the season. Change was needed, so the Cougars brought in a new coach, Jack Adams, who now has a trophy named after him for the coach of the year. In the next season, 1927, Detroit built the Olympia Stadium. The next decade, the Cougars were renamed the Detroit Falcons, but the name didn't last for long, because when James Norris bought the team, he renamed it again as the Detroit Red Wings. In 1936, the Red Wings won their first Cup, followed by another one in 1937. Around that time, Jack Stewart and Sid Abel became hall of famers for the Red Wings. During the second World War, teams were breaking up, leaving only the original six teams. Detroit, Toronto, Montreal, Boston, Chicago and New York. In 1946, hall of famer, Gordie Howe joined the team. In 1950, the Red Wings claimed their fourth Stanley Cup, whence the "tradition" of carrying the cup, and skating around the rink began. The next year, Terry Sawchuck, a rookie goalie, joined, and won the Calder trophy. Sawchuck became one of the greatest goalies. In that decade, three more were won, and the Octopus tradition began with the Cusimano brothers, from a local fish shop; throwing an octopus on the ice, representing eight wins needed to win the Stanley Cup. In 1962, Gordie Howe got his 1000th career point on an assist, and a great lineup, consisting of Frank Mahovlich, Alex Delvicchio and Gordie Howe was formed. The follwing decade, the sixties, the Red Wings couldnt score and win games, so they were given the nickname, "the Dead Things." Then, in the 70s, it got worst. The Red Wings had rotated coaches almost every season, and team spirit seemed to have died. In 1978, a combination of young and veteran players was created, and proved successful, bringing the Red Wings into the playoffs. The next year, though, Olympia Stadium became obsolete, making way for a new Joe Louis Arena.


In 1983, current all-star, Steve Yzerman was drafted. Yzerman later bacomes the team captain, and has won an MVP as a Red Wing. In the 86-87 season, Joe Kocur and Bob Probert worked together, and helped create one of the toughest lines. In 1989, Sergei Fedorov and Niklas Lidstrom was drafted. Veteran defensemen Paul Coffey, was also put onto the lineup. In 1994, the Red Wings began to return, making the playoffs. Keith Primeau, Slava Kozlov and Ray Sheppard became Red Wings. The next year proved to be even more successful, as the Red Wings made it to the Stanley Cup finals, but was then swept by the N.J. Devils. In 1996, the Red Wings made it to the Conference Finals where they were defeated by the Colorado Avalanches. As the next season came, the Red Wings traded Paul Coffey and Keith Primeau for Brendan Shanahan.

In 1998, the Red Wings fought hard, defeating the Avalanches in the Conference Finals, and, since 42 years, sweeps the Philadelphia Flyers for a victorious Stanley Cup.
The next year, the Red Wings earned the right for another chance at the Stanley Cup by defeating the Dallas Stars in the Conference Finals, and yet again, sweeping their opponent. This time,