Detroit Red Wings: 25 Fun Facts That Will Never Be Forgotten

The Detroit Red Wings were on the short-list as trade partners for center and Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky was set to go to Detroit in a trade. However, Walter’s dad suggested he go to the Los Angeles Kings. The Red Wings already had Steve Yzerman in the fold, grabbing him a few years earlier in the draft.

The first captain in Red Wings history was right winger Larry Aurie. Aurie, 5-foot-6 and 148 pounds, went on to score 107 goals and 105 assists for 212 points during his career in Detroit. He would remain captain until the following year when Herbie Lewis took over the captaincy.

The Red Wings currently have eight retired numbers. Those players with retired numbers include Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, Gordie Howe, Sid Abel, Red Kelly, Alex Delvecchio, Terry Sawchuk, and Ted Lindsay. The players above are all in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Red Wings currently have 372 wins against the Chicago Blackhawks all-time and their record against Chicago is 372 wins, 277 losses, and 84 ties. The 372 wins are the most wins Detroit has against any other franchise, with 221 of those wins coming in Detroit. The fewest wins are one, against the Seattle Kraken.

The very first draft pick for the Red Wings was right winger Peter Mahovlich. He was drafted in 1963, round one, and picked number two. He played previously for the St. Michaels Buzzers of the MetJHL. He would spend six years in Detroit, scoring 26 goals and 64 assists for 90 points in 186 games.