Western Conference - Central Division

Detroit Red Wings

Team's name: Detroit Red Wings Conference: Western Division: Central Location: Detroit, MI Nickname: The Wings Mascot: Al Octopus Team Colors: Red and White Joined the Conference: 1926 General Manager: Mike Ilitch Hockey Head Coach: Mike Babcock Hockey Stadium: Joe Louis Arena Current Capacity: 20,066 First Year of Hockey: 1926 Team Titles: Stanley Cup: 1935-36, 1936-37, 1942-43, 1949-50, 1951-52, 1953-54, 1954-55, 1996-97, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2007-08 Conference Championships: 1994-95, 1996-97, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2007-08, 2008-09 Division Championships: 1933-34, 1935-36, 1936-37, 1987-88, 1988-89, 1991-92, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1998-99, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09

The Detroit Red Wings are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference. Th Red Wings' history extends back to the old Western Hockey League. The Victoria Cougars, as the team was then known, was sold in 1926 to a group from Detroit that had just been awarded an NHL franchise. Thus the team made its entry into the NHL.

The change of ownership must have been a shock for the team, because the former Victoria Cougars – Stanley Cup champions the year before and finalists in 1926 – finished the season with the NHL’s worst record. In an attempt to boost morale, the team name was changed to the Detroit Falcons. The change had little effect, and the team’s first several seasons were unimpressive.

In 1932, in the midst of the Depression, millionaire James Norris Sr. purchased the team, changing its logo to a winged wheel and its nickname to the Red Wings. The change signaled a new beginning for the Detroit Red Wings. In the 20th century, the team would claim ten Stanley Cups.

In more recent history, the team has faced some tumultuous times, revamping both the roster and the management. Scotty Bowman, the team’s coach during 9 of its Stanley Cup Championship wins, retired in 2002, as did goaltender Dominik Hasek.

Nevertheless, the years after the 2004-2005 lockout were strong ones for the team. In 2005, Mike Babcock of the Anaheim Ducks signed on as head coach for the Red Wings. Over the next few years, Babcock compiled an impressive record – 162-56-28 – including a league best while on the road – 77-34-12. The team made it to the playoffs all three seasons, and, in 2008, claimed the Stanley Cup for itself, the eleventh of its long history.

The Red Wings entered into the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs at the second seed. They defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first series, the Anaheim Ducks in the second, and the Chicago Blackhawks in their third. The Wing were defeated in the final round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Pittsburgh Penguins, losing the series in a winner-take-all Game 7.

Detroit Red Wings Current Roster

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