Don Poile’s time in the NHL might not have held the same staying power as other members of his famous hockey family, but that didn’t prevent the former Detroit Red Wings forward from formulating a plethora of stories about his time in the show.

The brother of Norman (Bud) Poile and uncle of David Poile, who died on the weekend at the age of 91, Don Poile spent just 66 games in the NHL, all with the Red Wings.

Matheson: Don Poile, NHL alumnus and uncle of former Predators GM David Poile, dead at 91 https://t.co/jLWzMgibc6 pic.twitter.com/7vDOpnG6Jo

— Edmonton Journal (@edmontonjournal) February 25, 2024

He’d appear in four games during the 1954-55 season, then make it back for a 62-game stint in 1957-58. That season, center Poile would account for seven goals and nine assists. Naturally, it was the tale of his first that he loved telling. However, not for the reasons you might expect.

Poile Scores Spectacular Goal

It was a spectacular goal, after all. Gordie Howe hit Poile with a breakaway pass. In the clear, he put a feint on New York Rangers goalie Gump Worsley, sending the Gumper the wrong way. Pulling the puck back, Poile would then slam a shot into the net from five feet out.

Marcel Pronovost drew the other assist on the goal. As Poile was known to point out, everyone involved in the play expect the protagonist would go on to earn enshrinement in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

As for his story of the goal, Poile was only on the ice because he’d been serving a bench minor. From his perch behind the Detroit bench, Red Wings GM Jack Adams was screaming at Poile to get off the ice. He chose not to listen. Poile’s goal would prove to be the game winner in Detroit’s 4-0 verdict at Madison Square Garden.

Followed Brother To Red Wings

Don Poile hailed from Fort William, Ontario, which would prove to be a rich feeding ground for future Red Wings. Along with his brother Bud, defenseman Ben Woit and Hall of Fame center Alex Delvecchio also were born in Fort William.

“My dad’s absolute love of the game and everything that came with it has always been incredible to me."

Join us and the Poile family in remembering Norman "Bud" Poile on what would be his 100th birthday. https://t.co/qLADdJxo8T

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) February 10, 2024

Bud Poile, who died in 2005, would play seven NHL seasons, including the 1948-49 campaign with the Red Wings. He was a two-time 20-goal scorer. He would later serve as inaugural GM of both the Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks. As well, Bud Poile was president of the Central League and commissioner of the IHL.

Don Poile was also the uncle of longtime NHL GM David Poile. David Poile would serve as GM of the Washington Capitals and up until his retirement last year, as the first and only GM of the Nashville Predators.

The post Former Red Wings Forward Poile Part of Famous Hockey Family appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

As Detroit Red Wings debuts go, it’s certainly in a class by itself. In fact, it may be the most unusual NHL debut in league history.

There’s little doubt that it will never be repeated. And it took place 60 years ago today.

Coming off a 3-2 home-ice win over the Boston Bruins the afternoon prior, the Red Wings were again home on Feb. 23, 1964 for a Sunday night game at Olympia Stadium against the league-leading Montreal Canadiens.

There was just one problem. They were shy on defenseman. Veteran Marcel Pronovost incurred a knee injury in the game against the Bruins and would be unable to go for the Sunday contest.

Defenseman Bill Mitchell played 13 seasons in Toledo (Mercurys 1952-62, Blades 1964-68, Hornets 1970-71).

He scored a total of 110 goals with 249 assists in a Toledo uniform. pic.twitter.com/BDN9SCWHW5

— Toledo Walleye (@ToledoWalleye) January 12, 2022

There wasn’t enough time to get a callup in from any of Detroit’s farm clubs. However, Red Wings coach Sid Abel would find his solution on the Canadian side of the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario.

Bill Mitchell was a veteran defenseman with the Windsor Bulldogs of the International League. At the time, the IHL was considered an amateur outfit. Abel, who was also GM of the Red Wings, would sign Mitchell to a five-game amateur contract.

Mitchell Turns Two For Red Wings

There was another issue on the table, however. The Bulldogs were playing host to the Muskegon Zephyrs in an IHL game on Sunday afternoon. No worries, Abel told Mitchell. Just get to the Olympia after you are done with your afternoon game and suit up for the Red Wings.

Thus, Mitchell, would become the only player to make his NHL debut in the second game of a day-night doubleheader. In fact, it would be his third game is less than 24 hours. Windsor played at Toledo the night before.

For the first two periods against the Canadiens, Mitchell, wearing Pronovost’s No. 3 jersey, would be taking a regular turn on the Detroit rearguard, pairing with future Hockey Hall of Famer Bill Gadsby. With Detroit protecting a 3-2 lead in the third period, Abel would shorten his bench, using Mitchell sparingly.

“I thought he didn’t look out of place at all,” Abel told the Windsor Star of Mitchell’s performance.

His lone NHL appearance coming a day following his 34th birthday, at the time Mitchell would become the NHL’s oldest rookie.

“It was a little strange being up here for the first time,” Mitchell told Windsor Star reporter Jim Nelson. “But I wasn’t nervous in making my big bow.”

Bill 'Red' Mitchell scored a total of 110 goals with 249 assists in a Toledo uniform.

Hear from Mitchell at Saturday's Hall of Fame luncheon: https://t.co/etnHgUYXgA pic.twitter.com/WuvP81FDMc

— Toledo Walleye (@ToledoWalleye) February 21, 2018

Mitchell went out a winner. Detroit hung on for a 3-2 win over Montreal. In fact, he would turn two in the win column that day. Windsor beat Muskegon 5-3.

A 13-season veteran of minor pro hockey in Toledo, home of Detroit’s ECHL Toledo Walleye farm club, Mitchell earned induction into the Toledo Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019.

Mitchell, who died in 2014, won an Allan Cup with Windsor in 1962-63 and a world championship silver medal for Canada in 1962.

The post Anniversary of Most Unique Debut in Red Wings History appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Between 1946-71, Detroit Red Wings icon Gordie Howe would play in 1687 regular-season NHL games for the team. The jersey he figures to have been wearing in his final game for the team on April 6, 1971 was sold by Classic Auctions on Tuesday for the sum of $74,022.

The red No. 9 road jersey is a durene knit garment. It’s a production of General Athletic. Through photo matching, Classic Auction was able to determine that Howe was wearing this jersey on March 31, 1971 at Toronto. That was Detroit’s second-last away game of the 1970-71 season.

This game would mark the 76th game of the season for Detroit, resulting in a 2-2 tie. Howe would also be suiting up the last two games of the season. He would play on April 3rd at home vs Chicago and on April 4th vs the Rangers in New York. The latter contest was marking his last time wearing a Detroit uniform in an NHL game.

The Howe is here! Bid now on this awesome Gordie Howe's 1970-71 Detroit Red Wings Game-Worn Alternate Captain's Jersey – Final NHL Season in Detroit ! – Team Repairs! – Photo-Matched! in our #February2024Auction. Auction ends February 20. #WeAreHockeyhttps://t.co/CxmU65331g pic.twitter.com/3LBJHMZUmQ

— Classic Auctions.net (@classic_auction) February 13, 2024

By studying an image taken during that Toronto contest on March 31st, Classic Auctions was able to photo match the Howe jersey. The photo clearly shows the pair of orange paint transfer marks on the right side hem, the long loose white thread on the right edge of the alternate captain’s “A” and the particulars in the visible portion of the team’s crest on the front, all of which provide matches to the offered piece.

In all likelihood, the jersey in the auction offering is the same one Howe would wear both in Toronto on March 31st and on April 4th in New York. This would be making it the final jersey that Mr. Hockey would ever wear with the team for which he played 25 seasons.

How Howe’s Red Wings Jersey Came To Auction

The tale accompanying the jersey is almost as compelling as the jersey itself. The story goes that Howe would up giving the jersey to a 12-year old back in the day whose father was a neighbor of Gordie’s.

1: Gordie Howe sets up Alex Delvecchio
2: Alex Delvecchio sets up Gordie Howe
3: Alex Delvecchio & Gordie Howe set up Frank Mahovlich

Minnesota North Stars @ Detroit Red Wings, 1968 pic.twitter.com/ev6Q3SodR4

— Evan Streifel (@Evan_Streifel) February 15, 2024

Fast forward many decades later. The then 12-year old, now an older gentleman, had moved away overseas. He would mail the jersey back to North America for his daughter at her mother’s house. Here it sat unattended for nearly a decade. Only reacently was the family unerathing the prize jersey once again. Accompanying it are photocopies of a photo that Howe wound up autographing. Mr. Hockey was even adding a dedication to the once 12-year old child alongside his signature.

As well, there are photocopies of a Christmas card that he sent along with the jersey back to North America. The card reads “Enclosed is one of my most prized possessions given to me when I was 12 by Gordie himself. Enjoy!”

The post Mr. Hockey’s Last Red Wings Jersey Draws Princely Sum appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Through his quarter century of play with the Detroit Red Wings, there were many remarkable achievements reached by Gordie Howe, and numerous historic nights recorded.

However, his greatest individual performance coincided with Santa’s big scene. On Christmas Day 1956, Mr. Hockey was good for three goals and three assista as the Red Wings were whipping the New York Rangers 8-1.

It would be the most prooductive game in terms of points during Howe’s 26-season NHL career.

On Christmas Day in 1956, Gordie Howe had the best offensive game of his #NHL career, scoring three goals and registering three assists. It was his first career six-point game in the @DetroitRedWings' 8-1 win over the @NYRangers.

— PHWA (@ThePHWA) December 25, 2020

A slim gathering of just 10,284 showed up at Olympia Stadium that night to watch the Wings and Rangers in action.

It certainly didn’t start out like it was going to be a banner night for Howe and the Red Wings. New York defenseman Lou Fontinato, who later in his career would be Howe’s victim in perhaps the NHL’s most memorable fight, would net the only goal of the first period.

Howe got the Red Wings on even terms 4:38 into the second frame during a Detroit power play. Beating two Rangers to a loose puck, Howe lifted a 10-foot backhander past New York netminder Gump Worsley.

Later in the period, Howe fed a breakaway pass to Ted Lindsay, who’d beat Worsley in the clear for the lead art 14:31 of the second period.

Howe Ignites Red Wings In Third

Things really caught for Detroit over the final 20 minutes of play. And it was Howe igniting most of that firepower.

Gathering the puck in the corner of the New York zone, Howe fed Norm Ullman for a goal just 56 seconds after the opening faceoff. Ullman returned the favor. Howe potted a power-play goal at 5:11 off an Ullman rebound. Intercepting a Rangers pass, Howe broke into the clear and tucked the puck past Worsley for his hat-trick goal at 11:01.

The @NHL played 125 games on Christmas Day from 1920-21 to 1971-72 – the last season with a game on Dec. 25.@DetroitRedWings legend Gordie Howe has the most NHL appearances on Christmas Day – taking part in 16.8% of all Dec. 25 games in League history (21 of 125). #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/fw0XW29BVA

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 25, 2018

Later, defenseman Al Arbour would score off a Howe set-up for Gordie’s career-high sixth point of the night. It was Arbour’s first NHL goal. The Rangers, who would win an NHL-record 25 Christmas Day games, were losers on Dec. 25 for just the fourth time.

The NHL would play 125 Christmas Day contests between 1920-72, when the practice of playing on the holiday was discontinued. Howe played in 16.8% of those games (21 of 125), the most of any NHL player. With NHL teams no longer playing Christmas Day games, Howe is going to forever be the NHL’s Christmas scoring leader with 12-12-24 numbers. And one-quarter of that output came in one game.

The post Red Wings Mr. Hockey Was NHL’s Mr. Christmas appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

There certainly was a time when leaving the Chicago Blackhawks for the Detroit Red Wings might’ve seemed completely implausable to Patrick Kane.

That time, though, was a long time ago.

“I think it was such a rivalry for the Blackhawks and Wings,” Kane said. “Probably back in the 80s or 90s and early 2000s. Even when we had to play them in the conference finals in 09 and then playing them again in the playoffs in 2013, it was always a team that we were striving to beat.

“Even organizationally it was always someone we were looking up to and striving to be.”

Patrick Kane jokingly tells young #Blackhawks fan wearing Connor Bedard jersey: “We’ve got to change the 9’s to 8’s.” pic.twitter.com/WYgf5YrYiW

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 30, 2023

Now he’s part of the Red Wings organization. Kane is still capable of looking back fondly upon his successful days with the Blackhawks. However, he isn’t expecting to be overcome with emotion while watching his new team play his old team at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday.

“When you’re looking for the right situation for yourself, you kind of put that stuff aside a little bit,” Kane said. “I loved my time in Chicago, I loved everything about being a Blackhawk.

“Sometimes you kind of move on from different things and you look for different opportunities and situations. This seemed like the right one for me.”

Being With Red Wings Feels Right To Kane

As a UFA holding the option to sign with any NHL team, Kane was admitting that there was some unseen force pulling him toward the Red Wings.

“Detroit was in my heart,” Kane said. “When it came around to making the decision, I always kind of felt like it was in the back of my mind. If I was thinking about another team, Detroit was the next team popping up. It just made sense for me.”

Kane was living in the Detroit area while in high school, playing first with Honeybaked and later with the USNTDP. He billeted with former Red Wings player Pat Verbeek and was frequently coming to see the team play at Joe Louis Arena.

A smiling Luke Richardson on Patrick Kane not playing vs. Chicago: “We don’t need to see him. We’re happy that he has to take a few days. … We’ll see him in February when he’s in town. Once is enough.” #Blackhawks

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 30, 2023

“It’s a great organization,” Kane said. “It’s run by one of the best players of all-time in (GM) Steve Yzerman. There’s so many legends that have played for the franchise – you can go down the list, Gordie Howe, Nick Lidstrom, Yzerman, (Sergei) Fedorov, (Pavel) Datsyuk, (Henrik) Zetterberg, on and on.

“They call it Hockeytown for a reason. I felt like I needed to be in a market where hockey is popular and it can get the city and the crowd excited. Hockey is big thing here in Detroit. Kind of excited about adding to that and playing my game and hopefully bring a lot of excitement to the city and the fans the organization and my teammates.”

Kane Excited About Return To Chicago

That night won’t be happening Thursday. Kane might not be overtly emotional about seeing his new club face his original club. He’s already circling Detroit’s February 25 visit to the United Center to face the Blackhawks on his calendar, though.

“I think there’s gonna be a pretty special night in Chicago,” Kane said. “I think it’s late February there when (Chris) Chelios’ jersey is going up (to the rafters in retirement). I’ll be playing against the Blackhawks that game.”

The post Red Wings Kane: Detroit Was in my Heart appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Larkin has been with Red Wings since 2015

The post Long-Serving Red Wings Captain Larkin Carrying on Detroit Sports Tradition (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Dylan Larkin certainly isn’t the biggest star or the greatest player to ever suit up for the Detroit Red Wings. That being the case, don’t go for a moment thinking that Larkin isn’t already holding down a unique and special place in the history of his storied franchise.

A list of the all-time greats to play for the Red Wings, whether it be Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman, Ted Lindsay, Nicklas Lidstrom or Terry Sawchuk, follows a similar pattern. Almost all would ultimately make Detroit their home. Some would work for the organization following their playing days. However, not one of them could honestly say that their childhood dream was to play for the Red Wings.

In Larkin’s case it was. From the Detroit suburb of Waterford, Larkin is the first Red Wings star who is Michigan born. He didn’t make Detroit his home. Detroit is Larkin’s home.

For as long as he can remember, pulling on that jersey with the winged wheel on the front would be the fulfillment of his dreamscape.

“It’s always been where I wanted to be,” Larkin said. “It means a lot.”

Contract Solidified Larkin’s Embrace Of Red Wings

Throughout the negotations last season that ultimately would result in Larkin signing an eight-year contract extension with the team, Larkin never wavered from that point of view.

“At certain times my agent was probably saying to stop saying that I wanted to be there,” Larkin recalled. “It was truthful. It was where I wanted to be.”

Among the Red Wings fanbase, debate over Larkin’s attributes creates constant consternation. Is he a legit No. 1 center? Will he be the guy that the team can build around for the future, the one to lead this club back to the glory days?

This is a Dylan Larkin appreciation tweet. #LGRW

Led the Red Wings in scoring by 23 (!) Points this last season, with a defensive game that's massively improving, and a FO% last year of 54%.

Dude carried Detroit in every way, he deserves some flowers. pic.twitter.com/hsdCyZVtM5

— Nathan "Grav" (@NathanGraviteh) July 28, 2023

By making such a long-term commitment to his captain, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman was showing that he believes Larkin to be that guy.

“I’m trying to build a core that starts around Dylan Larkin and with all the players coming in each year, players of that age group that would come in and fit in for a long time,” Yzerman said.

Certainly, Larkin recognizes the huge expectations that are now weighing on his shoulders, and he embraces those expectations that he can be the one to lead this club back to the top of the NHL.

“To be captain of this team is something I don’t take lightly,” Larkin said. “I got to watch Henrik Zetterberg, someone I look up to. Probably of anyone in my life he’s up there on the list of people I look up to. To be in the same category is something I don’t take lightly and I’m very honored to be the captain of this team.”

Larkins Are Detroit’s First Hockey Family

It’s been a big year for Larkin. He got his new pact and long-term commitment to play for the team he grew up rooting for since childhood. Earlier this month, he and longtime girlfriend Kenzy Wolfe got married. The two were engaged in July of 2022.

“Married my best friend,” was Larkin’s Instagram post at DylanLarkin71 accompanying their wedding photo.

Congrats to the Larkins!

: https://t.co/Kag8gR2Vt4 pic.twitter.com/dZpiZL8HwM

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 13, 2023

Playing at home, surrounded by loved ones, friends and family, this is more than Larkin could have ever expect that living his NHL dream would enable him to do.

“It’s something that I could’ve never imagined,” Larkin said. “Having my parents, my brother (Colin) is now back in Detroit and friends and family, it just means the world to me. I know there’s a lot of people in Waterford that we’d be sitting here all day if I thanked. There’s a lot of people that have helped me and kept me on the right path. I really thank them for everything.”

Parents Set Bar High For Dylan

It’s mom and dad where it all starts for Dylan. Kevin and Sidney Larkin are the leaders of his support system.

“For me, my parents are role models in my life as well,” Larkin explained. “Hard-working people. I think one thing they’ve always taught me is you earn your living.”

DraftKings Bet $5 Win $150

All States Where Legal

GET THE APP

SIGNUP BONUSBET $5, WIN $150
New Player BonusBET NOW

“I feel through all the ups and downs I’ve tried to handle it with class and doing it the right way,” Larkin said. “I really want to lead this team into the playoffs and go on long playoff runs. You need help with that and I feel there’s help in our room and coming along the way.

“I’m really excited for that.”

The post Captain Larkin Unique Among Red Wings Star Players appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Mike O’Connell’s father played QB against Detroit Lions in NFL Championship Game

The post The Five: Unique Red Wings Father-Son Combinations (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

When it came time to choose the jersey number he’d wear for the Detroit Red Wings, it all added up for Jeff Petry. In this instance, he found the perfect timing for a like father, like son moment.

Petry will be donning No. 46 for the first time in his NHL career. It’s the same number that his dad Dan Petry wore on the back of his Detroit Tigers uniform from 1979-87.

#46.

Like father, like son. pic.twitter.com/IsEaRWSVI0

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 15, 2023

Jeff opted for the news to come as a complete surprise to his dad. He’s worn No. 26 for the majority of his NHL career.

“I did not tell him,” Jeff explained. “I kind of wanted to leave that part as a surprise. But I did tell my mom.

“I actually showed her the post that the team put out. She just kind of shook her head and smiled. Okay, she’s not seeing it. I had to really point it out. She was shocked.”

When Dan, who was broadcasting a Tigers came, heard about his son’s tribute to his father’s days as a Detroit star athlete, he was touched with emotion.

“My dad was on set,” Jeff said. “He sent me a nice note and said he was very honored and never saw that coming.”

Petry First Red Wings Player To Don Father’s Digits

There have been a number of father-son combinations in Red Wings history over the club’s storied history. Jeff Petry will be the first son to skate for the team while wearing the number his dad wore in major pro sports.

When Gordie Howe’s No. 9 was retired, he put a caveat on the ceremony that if either of his sons were to play for the Red Wings, they could return No. 9 into service for them to wear.

However, when Mark Howe signed as a free agent with the club in 1992, he wasn’t about to go there. “I could never take his number like that,” Mark said. Instead, he chose No. 4 to honor close family friend and former Red Wings defenseman Bill Gadsby.

Folignos Wear Dad’s Numbers

Other sons of NHLers have happily skated in their father’s footsteps. Nick Foligno has worn the No. 71 of his dad Mike Foligno, and younger brother Marcus of the Minnesota Wild wears No. 17, Mike’s number when he broke into the NHL with the Red Wings in 1979. Paul Stastny wears No. 26 just like his father, Hall of Famer Peter Stastny.

DraftKings Bet $5 Win $150

All States Where Legal

GET THE APP

SIGNUP BONUSBET $5, WIN $150
New Player BonusBET NOW

Sam Reinhart of the Florida Panthers is adorned by the same No. 23 as his dad, former NHL defenseman Paul Reinhart. Cal Foote wears No. 52, just like his dad Adam Foote. Zach Parise wore No. 11 for the Minnesota Wild, the same digits his dad Jean-Paul wore decades earlier with the Minnesota North Stars.

Brett Hull wore No. 16 for much of his Hall of Fame career. That was the number Brett’s dad Bobby Hull was wearing early in his career. However, it wasn’t until Brett’s final three NHL games with the Phoenix Coyotes that he opted to put on No. 9, the digit his dad wore for the majority of his NHL days as the Golden Jet of the Chicago Blackhawks.

The post Red Wings Petry to Don Dad’s Old Number appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Detroit Red Wings fans, in recent times, have been spoiled when it comes to retaining their stars. Their top two players over the past four decades, Steve Yzerman and Nick Lidstrom, never wore another NHL jersey except the one with the Winged Wheel.

Can you imagine seeing Steve Yzerman wearing a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey? How about Nicklas Lidstrom decked out in Montreal threads?

Detroit fans were fortunate that their stars wanted to play their entire careers with one organization, like Patrice Bergeron recently did with the Boston Bruins.

The post The Five: Ex-Red Wings Who Looked Odd in Rival Jersey (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.