Yesterday, the Detroit Red Wings announced the numbers newcomers Frans Nielsen, Thomas Vanek, and Steve Ott will wear when they make their Hockeytown debuts. Additionally, the team announced that Teemu Pulkkinen and Alexey Marchenko will switch to new numbers for the 2016-17 campaign.
Check out the newest #RedWings‘ jersey numbers! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/x3laocN59F
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 31, 2016
While Vanek’s #62 has never been worn and Marchenko’s new #53 has only been worn once (by Adam Almquist during the 2013-14 season), Pulkkinen’s new sweater number isn’t new at all. The Finnish winger’s #4 has been sported recently by Jakub Kindl, Uwe Krupp, and Jamie Pushor—hardly household names.
Detroit’s #4 does have some history, though. It was famously worn by Hall of Fame defenseman Leonard “Red” Kelly during his tenure in Hockeytown (1947-1960). Kelly’s 846 games played ranks 15th all-time among Red Wings players. His 472 points rank 14th among Detroit skaters as well. Kelly also won four Stanley Cups in Hockeytown during the 1950s.
Though the game and point totals do not exemplify stardom, Kelly was Detroit’s top defenseman for 13 seasons. His Hall-of-Fame Red Wings career does warrant a retired number, however.
pulkkinen, historically low number for wings forward.
arguably should be retired; red kelly.@DetroitRedWings https://t.co/dvUrH1gp04
— gregg krupa (@greggkrupa) August 31, 2016
Other Deserving Red Wings
In addition to Kelly, there are a few other Red Wings who deserve to have their sweaters in the rafters.
#2 – Jack Stewart
During his heyday in Detroit, Jack “Black Jack” Stewart was a feared defender around the NHL. During his ten seasons in Detroit, Stewart did not score much, but admirably defended the Red Wings’ net throwing hip checks all over the ice. He won two Stanley Cups in Detroit as well.
#3 – Marcel Pronovost
During his 16 seasons with the Red Wings, defenseman Marcel Pronovost won four Stanley Cups and partnered with Kelly to form a fearsome top defensive pairing. Pronovost ranks 2nd for games played (983) and 6th in career points (297) among Red Wings defensemen.
Pronovost is seen to the right, moving the puck up ice alongside Gordie Howe and goaltender Terry Sawchuk.
#6 – Larry Aurie
Though his #6 is out of circulation in Detroit, Larry Aurie jersey is not 100% retired. Former owner James Norris retired the number in 1938, but current owner Mike Illitch does not recognize the previous owner’s decision as final.
Aurie was a cornerstone player during the organization’s early days, including the years spent as the Detroit Cougars and Falcons. He was Detroit’s top player during their first two Stanley Cups—in 1936 and 1937.
#13 – Pavel Datsyuk
Now playing in Russia, Pavel Datsyuk was a two-way force with the Red Wings for a decade and a half. He was a part of the Red Wings’ 2002 and 2008 Stanley Cups and won four Lady Byng Trophies plus three Selke Trophies during his time in Detroit.
Datsyuk’s highlight reel goals dazzled fans at Joe Louis Arena. He still continues to show off his wizardry overseas:
#16 – Vladimir Konstantinov
Also out of circulation, Vladimir Konstantinov’s #16 is a revered number in Hockeytown. For a stellar career that was cut short, Konstantinov’s sweater deserves to join the others that have been raised to the rafters of Joe Louis Arena.
#91 – Sergei Fedorov
Few Red Wings had as much of an impact on the ice as Sergei Fedorov. Along with Konstantinov and the three other members of the Russian Five, Fedorov helped transform the NHL through the implementation of Russian strategy and on-ice tactics.
Fedorov won three Stanley Cups, two Selke Trophies, a Hart Trophy, and a Lester B. Pearson Trophy (now the Ted Lindsay Award) during his time in Detroit.
on number retirements:
red kelly left #RedWings because jack adams was a jerk.
sergei fedorov left because he did not want to stay.
— gregg krupa (@greggkrupa) August 31, 2016
