He shoots, he scores! Famous words frequently heard in hockeytown. There is almost no hockey team that can rival that of the Detroit Red Wings. This team has managed to grab and hold the hearts of its fans for almost a century. They have become one of the premier teams in the National Hockey League (NHL).
The Detroit Cougars (Red Wings) entered the NHL in 1926. Although, they are considered to be one of the original six, this title is misleading. The NHL was officially started in 1917. The team that was founded in Detroit was actually a team that moved from B.C. to Detroit. The Victoria Cougars had been playing in the Western Hockey League. This Canadian league, which was on the verge of folding, was able to make a deal with the NHL. All of the players on the Victoria Cougars would be relocated to Detroit for the start of the 1926 season.
When the Cougars arrived in Detroit, there was no place for them to play. They played the entire first season across the border in Windsor, Ontario. The new arena, The Detroit Olympia was completed in time for the 1926-1927 season, and Cougars were finally able to play an actual game in their home city. With head coach Jack Adams leading the team, the Red Wings were ready to make an impression on this city. The Cougars made the playoffs for the first time in 1929, but they were defeated in the first round by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In 1930 the franchise was renamed the Falcons. Despite the name change, the team had a number of dismal seasons before they were sold to James E. Norris. One of Norris’ first decisions was to change the name of the team, again. The Detroit Red Wings hit the ice for the first time in 1932. Under the new name, the franchise was able to make the quarter finals for the first time in 1932. In 1934 they made the semi-finals after defeating the Montreal Maroons in the quarters.
The Red Wings were able to make the Stanley Cup final in 1934. Despite a hard fought battle, they were defeated by the Chicago Black Hawks. However, in 1936 the Red Wings would not be denied. They were able to hoist the Stanley Cup in victory, having beaten the Toronto Maple Leafs. They would hoist the cup again in 1937, after managing to win against the New York Rangers.
The title “one the original six which”, which is frequently attributed to this team, refers to the six teams that made up the NHL from 1942 to 1967. During this time the Red Wings were able to win the coveted cup five times. They were able to make the playoffs almost every year and fans were hooked. In 1967, the leagues added six new teams. This expansion would begin a drought for the Red Wings, who would not hoist Lord Stanley again until 1997. The Wings swept the Philadelphia Flyers in four straight games, to take the 1997 series.
In its colorful journey the Detroit Red Wings have hoisted the Cup eleven times, which is the record for the most cup wins by an American franchise. It has won the President’s Cup six times, and has nineteen division championships. This explosive hockey team continues to thrive by selling out Red Wingss tickets to almost every game. The teams ability to thrill and delight fans in hockeytown each and every season keeps them coming back for more.
