Dear Magic Man,
There is no combination of words to give enough thanks for the last 15 years of skill and leadership that you have brought to this team. There isn’t many times in my life that I can recall a Red Wings team without your expertise to control the ice, and I have you to thank for this childhood. You blessed us with a sixth round pick from the heavens who has dedicated his life to a struggling city. You left your home in Russia, accepted the challenges faced as a member of the National Hockey League, and made our home into a place worth going.
Hockeytown has been around for many years prior to this generation, and you have contributed so much to its strength and fan base with your dedication to our city. We have our Lions and our Tigers, but you made Joe Louis Arena a spectacle to those who didn’t see the beauty before you. There were nine championships before your era, and of course those put Detroit on the map. But you took our popularity created by our city, and our state, and stretched it across the nation and onto others with hands like no one had ever seen before.
You represented our home with the award for Top defensive forward, the Selke Trophy in 2008, 2009 and 2010. You represented this city, not only with your skills, but with your heart, by winning the award for best sportsmanship and gentlemanlike conduct, the Lady Byng Memorial trophy, in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. And finally, you showed the world that Detroit was capable of creating a team worthy of the best, but winning the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the regular season Most Valuable Player in 2008. No, one man doesn’t win championships, and our success can’t be credited to one person. But, You Pavs, came to a city full of potential, and drove it to greatness. There was a team of men that needed a push, they needed to prove to the world, yet again, that great things come from places you’d least expect. People put down Detroit, saying that its poverty, crime and economic status make for a pretty horrible place to visit. You gave everyone a reason to love the city again. We are coming in on 230+ consecutive home sellouts, and I know that 100 percent attendance can be credited to the fan base your magic was able to contribute. You allowed our city to become ours yet again, just by joining our side, and leading a group of men to their full potential.
So, Magic Man, as a city Detroit thanks you. And as a fan base, the world thanks you for your motivation for success, tireless work and ultimate dedication to the sport that we love. You have changed the game for generations to come, and you have left a mark on a city that needed you without even knowing it. Cheers to 15 years of lighting the lamp, and cheers to run for the cup. Let's make it ours.
Love,
Red Wings Fans everywhere
