In the early 1990s, the Detroit Red Wings were a high-flying team that could score goals, but struggled to win when it mattered most. That narrative seemed to shift after they landed Stanley Cup champion goalie, Mike Vernon, from Calgary. It wasn’t just a hockey trade; it was a move to help Detroit finish the job by winning the Stanley Cup.
Finishing the Job
Before Vernon arrived, Detroit, although a strong team with superstars like Steve Yzerman, was often labeled as a group unable to win it all. Vernon helped change that narrative. He brought the grit of a Stanley Cup champion to a locker room that seemed to be tired of not finishing the job. Reflecting on the move, Vernon remarked:
“Playing for the Red Wings kind of prolonged my career. There were 10 years apart from both cups in Calgary and Detroit, but it was to prove to myself that I could still play in the league.”
By the 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs, Vernon was an absolute wall. His stellar performance in net for Detroit during the Stanley Cup Finals was legendary. He stifled Philadelphia and helped lead Detroit to a Stanley Cup championship. He finished the post-season with an astounding 1.76 GAA, helping to end a forty-two year drought and rightfully earning the Conn Smythe Trophy.