Detroit Red Wings

Since 1946 I have followed the Detroit Red Wings Hockey Team. All those years there was a good reason to do so because they had a standard of performance matched only by the Montreal Canadians and sometime Toronto Maple Leafs. Their team was one which depended on the loyalty of it's fans and players. Many of the team played the majority of their career with the Wings only. This brought a measure of security and trust which resulted in success ofter success.

Some of the greatest players who ever laced up skates came from this organization. Gordie Howe probably is among that elite group who are called Mr. Hockey in their respective organization. Tonight they have a opportunity to do what only a few other teams have done; come back from a three game deficit to win in seven with four straight wins. Regardless of the outcome they have captured the imagination of the hockey fans everywhere and tonight they will end the game with a certain respect given to those who stand a little above the crowd. They are the Red Wings you know.

The Wings

For 62 years I have been a Detroit Red Wing fan. I was ten when a player from the east coast played with Detroit and I was hooked. My friend Doug is also a fan and he cannot even watch the games in the playoffs, and his poor wife has to watch and relay what is happening. We are true fans and stuck with the team in the bad years, and the good.

Today when hockey is a business and players are pawns being traded and disposed of as commodities in a factory, Detroit stands firm and has team loyalty. You can actually know the players from year to year. Tonight they play for the Stanley cup with Pittsburgh. Detroit have 18 players on the ice who were there last year when they won the cup.

Tonight I shall be watching the game and will be proud of our boys - win or lose.This is the team of Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay. I shall watch, have a drink or two, (probably rum and pepsi), rant and roar, and be into the greatest game in the world. When it is over I shall go to bed and sleep soundly because we have carried on the struggle to gain the Stanley Cup. This is the oldest professional cup to be played for in North America. Watch and enjoy. Polar Bear

The Wings

For 62 years I have been a follower of the Detroit Red Wings. When I was a child every young person around our street received a Toronto Maple Leaf or a Montreal Hockey jersey for Xmas. I always asked for a Detroit Red wing sweater and Santa sent me that red sweater with the wheel and wings as a crest.

Those early wings were not the power house of today but gathered strength when Howe, Delvechio , and Lindsay came along. Gordie Howe was a Flora, Sask. boy who at a tender age played jr. hockey in the west. He entered the NHL at a tender age and his career nearly ended the first season when he was crashed into the boards and received a head injury. He returned and his career is history. In his day he was a giant at over 6 ft. tall and 205 pounds. Today he would be average in size. He was a giant in other ways leading a team to numerous titles and establishing Detroit as hockey town USA.

I watched Gordie play and won one of his sticks after a pre-season hockey game. It was a Northland with a number 6 line. Gordie was right in shooting but his stick had no curve at that time as he could switch and shoot both ways. He worked for Eatons store and as a young adult I went to the store and lined up to receive an autographed picture of my hero. I kept the stick for years but one time I was pressed to give something for the auction for Sick Kids Hospital I gave it away. I wonder where it is now?

His voice and demeanour betrayed his stealth on the ice. His character was one that every parent could say to their hockey son or daughter, be like him. His partners were all successful as they played a system and as a team. One year the line came first, second , and third in scoring.

Last night I watched the first game of the playoffs and we saw a team, not individuals work magic with the puck. A system which has to have all players committed to the plan and they were.On the ice last evening five of the best hockey players in the world today showed their skill. The best player on the ice was also the oldest. Lindstrom was making magic all evening and was a source of power on both offence and defence. Mother luck was with the Wings and tonight we hope the old legs hold up.

At this time of every year we like to remember our dreams as a child. Most of us wished to play in the NHL. I had dreams too but my dreams were modified by my ability. I did manage to make it to Senior hockey with a team in Northern Quebec. The league was the northern Quebec senior league although two teams were from Ontario. I was a young fellow and our coach signed me on and told me I could play a limited time at first but maybe someone would get injured. I worked hard and played on the third line. We were a defensive line but managed to score on occasion. At the end of the year our centre was injured and we called in an ex NHL player named Abbie DeMarco.He was the best stick handler for the New York Rangers all time. Although he was in his late forties he could still move the puck. He made our line perk up and I personally scored a few because of him.

From the days we played road hockey to the NHL we participated in the greatest game in the world and exported it to all corners of the globe. We can be proud when our women's and men's teams go for the gold every year at the world championships and next year in Vancouver.