History of the Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings are one of the most storied franchises in NHL history. With 11 Stanley Cup championships and a legacy filled with legendary players, the Red Wings remain one of the league's most iconic and recognizable teams.

The franchise was founded in 1926 and originally played as the Detroit Cougars before later becoming the Falcons. In 1932, the team was renamed the Red Wings, and the famous winged wheel logo was introduced. During the 1930s and 1940s, Detroit began to build a strong hockey tradition, winning its first Stanley Cups in 1936, 1937, and 1943.

The 1950s were a golden era for the Red Wings. Led by legends like Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, and Terry Sawchuk, Detroit became a powerhouse and regular contender for the Stanley Cup. The team captured four championships that decade and helped establish Detroit’s identity as “Hockeytown.”

After some up-and-down years, the Red Wings re-emerged as an NHL dynasty in the 1990s and early 2000s. With leaders such as Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidström, Sergei Fedorov, and the “Russian Five,” Detroit won the Stanley Cup in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008. The team also achieved an incredible streak of 25 straight playoff appearances from 1991 to 2016, one of the longest in professional sports.

In 2017, the Red Wings moved from the historic Joe Louis Arena to Little Caesars Arena, beginning a new chapter for the franchise. While the team has been rebuilding in recent years, a new core of young talent is working to bring the Red Wings back into regular playoff and championship contention.

Historic Video

From the original “Production Line” to modern stars and rebuilds, the Detroit Red Wings have played a major role in shaping the history of the NHL and continue to be a huge part of the culture of the city of Detroit.