SURPRISE!

On Tuesday morning, the Detroit Red Wings announced they will officially retire Sergei Fedorov’s number 91 in a special ceremony on January 12, 2026, before Detroit’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

This news ends a long, contentious saga amongst fans and the organization.

Fedorov’s deservedness of having his number etched into Red Wings lore (I mean, it already was) needs no explanation to Red Wings faithful. Sergei spent 13 seasons with the Red Wings and is one of two players in franchise history who achieved multiple 100-point seasons. The only other player to do that was Steve Yzerman. Among all of his accolades, which includes three Stanley Cup titles, Fedorov was the first European-trained player to win the Hart Memorial Trophy.

Unfortunately Fedorov did not finish his career in Detroit. He split his last five NHL seasons between Anaheim, Columbus, and Washington. Still, the Russian legend was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2015, and was honored as one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players.

Mike and Marian Ilitch with Sergei Fedorov in the locker room with the trophy they won for winning the Western Conference at Joe Louis Arena.

Long ago, I removed myself from the “retire 91” debate because it felt like it simply would never happen. The news this morning was a pleasant surprise for this old Red Wings fan. Fedorov was the reason I became a die-hard Red Wings fan. I’ve said it before, but it was his five-goal game against Washington that sparked my interest in hockey. Decades later, I still watch his highlights on the regular. Sergei Fedorov is a legend and this honor is long overdue. I’m happy that Ilitch finally allowed this to happen. The man deserves it, as do the fans.

More from the Red Wings official announcement:

The Red Wings selected Fedorov in the fourth round (74th overall) of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, making him the highest-drafted player from the Soviet Union at the time. Fedorov impressed Red Wings management while representing the Soviet Union at several international tournaments. He competed in three consecutive IIHF World Junior Championships from 1987-89, capturing a silver medal in 1988 and a gold medal in 1989. Additionally, Fedorov earned gold medals at back-to-back IIHF World Championships in 1989 and 1990. Fedorov would defect to the United States following an exhibition game in Portland, Ore., between the Soviet Union and Team USA, arriving in Detroit on July 23, 1990, and signing a five-year contract with the Red Wings.

Fedorov made an immediate impact with the Red Wings, where he was issued No. 91 because it was the inverse of Steve Yzerman’s No. 19. Fedorov debuted with the Red Wings in 1990-91, garnering NHL All-Rookie Team honors and finishing runner-up in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy after pacing all rookies in goals (31), assists (48) and points (79) in 77 regular-season games. His 79 points are the second-most by a rookie in franchise history, behind Yzerman’s total of 87 points (39-48-87 in 80 GP) in 1983-84.

Fedorov posted his best statistical season in 1993-94, earning a spot on the NHL First All-Star Team after leading all Red Wings skaters in goals (56), assists (64), points (120), plus/minus (+48), shorthanded goals (4) and game-winning goals (10) in 82 regular-season games. Fedorov is one of six players in franchise history to reach the 50-goal plateau along with Steve Yzerman (5x), Mickey Redmond (2x), Ray Sheppard, John Ogrodnick and Danny Grant. Additionally, Fedorov became the fifth Red Wings skater to eclipse the 100-point mark, joining Yzerman (6x), Ogrodnick, Marcel Dionne and Gordie Howe.