In the next month, the NHL regular season will be coming to a close as the 2017 playoffs are scheduled to start on April 12. In the hockey world, the playoffs are a time for 16 teams from around the United States to play against each other in hopes that they will each be the next team to hoist the Stanley Cup trophy above their heads. Unfortunately, not all teams will have the opportunity to play for this prestigious title.
Over the course of my life, I was raised to believe that hockey is the greatest sport in the world. More importantly, I grew up believing that the Detroit Red Wings were home to the best fans, greatest stadium, and most legendary hockey players in history. For the past 25 years, the Detroit Red Wings have had the opportunity to participate in the playoffs, bringing home a Stanley cup win four of those years, and holding the title of the last team who won back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships in the years 1997 and 1998. However, with the regular season ending, it is difficult to hold out hope that they will be returning for their 26th playoff year. Currently holding the last spot in the Eastern Division, and fourth to last in the league, it seems reasonable to expect that their celebrated 25-year playoff run will be over.
Initially, when I realized the unlikelihood that the Red Wings would have the opportunity to fight for a cup once again, I was extremely disappointed. Since before I was born, the city of Detroit has been proud of the amazing franchise that is Red Wings hockey and has looked forward to watching the team that comes from “Hockeytown” fight for their shot at history. Naturally, it was unsettling to think that this may be the year that we will not get to see our beloved team fight for another Stanley Cup banner. That was until I realized that, although the Red Wings Hockey franchise we have known is coming to an end, it also introduces possibilities for a bright future.
This past calendar year, the Red Wings Hockey Franchise has experienced a great deal of change, and it stems far beyond not being able to continue their playoff streak. This summer, one of the greatest hockey players of all time, Gordie Howe (also known as Mr. Hockey) passed away, leaving Red Wings fans everywhere devastated. But he was not the only player this great team lost. Following that, previous forward for the Red Wings, Pavel Datsyuk (The Magic Man) announced that he would not be continuing his career with the Red Wings, and would be heading back to Russia to play on the Russian National Ice Hockey Team. Yet, it wasn’t just the past players of the Red Wings that contributed to so many changes. Since the beginning of the 2016-2017 season, Red Wings hockey fans have been dreading the closing of the ever-so beloved Joe Louis Arena, a stadium that has existed since 1979 and is perhaps one of the most well-known hockey stadiums there is. Finally, just a month ago, Mike Ilitch- owner of both the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers- passed away after owning the Red Wings since 1982.
To say that the Detroit Red Wings Hockey Franchise has had a tough year would be an understatement. Experiencing the loss of great players, a renowned stadium, and a beloved owner has truly shaken up the Red Wings community, and now, fans everywhere are faced with the unfortunate reality that the playoff streak title may also be stripped away. Yet, perhaps things aren’t all bad; perhaps this is simply the beginning of a new chapter for this franchise.
I would be lying if I said that the losses that have hit the Detroit Red Wings this past year are not devastating, but I would also be lying if I said that I don’t believe the change that is occurring is for the best. Over the past 25 years, we have watched a team that we love so much do incredible things in the world of hockey, and you can be sure that their victories will not be forgotten. All good things must come to an end, but that end also allows for a new beginning.
So, to all my fellow Red Wings fans, let’s not look at this as the end, but rather, as the closing of a chapter. Let’s look at it as a chance to discover the new Mr. Hockey and Magic Man. Let’s look at it as a chance to make memories in a new stadium with new fans. Most importantly, let’s look at it as a chance to start a new streak, one that can never replace the past, but that will lead us into the future of hockey.
This 25-year-old game may be over, but it’s time to drop a new puck and win the next face-off.