Detroit — Todd McLellan has seen the passion while twice being part of the Detroit Red Wings.
As an assistant coach from 2005-08, McLellan was part of a Stanley Cup-winning team in 2008 and saw the excitement, joy and devotion of Wings fans.
Then, being named head coach on Dec. 26, 2024, in the midst of a Wings’ losing streak and not having made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season, McLellan saw the frustration and disappointment.
There’s been a lot of ups and downs over 100 memorable years for the Red Wings franchise. The zeal and emotion fans have for the team make this a unique and powerful sports entity.
For a coach or player, being part of such a historic organization is an honor and special experience. McLellan, for one, is cherishing it.
“Any time that you get to be a part of the Red Wings organization, it’s special,” McLellan said. “It’s not just Todd McLellan. This is an Original Six franchise with 100 years of history. The players who have come and gone and left their mark on the franchise and on the city, it’s incredible.”
McLellan remembers Red Wings’ history, walking live and in person, through the hallways and locker rooms at Joe Louis Arena during his earlier days in the organization — legends such as Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio and Ted Lindsay, among others.
“The individuals who have been walking around, like we see (Nicklas) Lidstrom and (Niklas) Kronwall, these types of players come back through the locker room now,” McLellan said. “But my first go-around, it was Mr. Howe, Mr. Delvecchio. It was these types of individuals walking through the locker room, and that was really special. Anybody that understood the history … Gordie would walk by and throw his elbow out. Even seeing Vladdy (Konstantinov) the other night on the big screen, I remember that would happen at our games all the time.
“They bring him (on the screen) and he’d watch and be cheering, and now to see him 20, 25 years later, it’s incredible. That’s just how I feel about being a Red Wing. It’s special.”
The Wings are celebrating their 100th anniversary this weekend, with a four-day Centennial Celebration FanFest Thursday through Sunday at MotorCity Casino Hotel. The weekend will also include special guest appearances, autograph sessions with Wings’ alumni, family-friendly activities, question and answer sessions, and watch parties of Wings games Friday and Sunday.
On Saturday the Wings will present “100 Years of Hockeytown: A Night at the Fox Theatre.” Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond will host an evening bringing together Wings’ legends telling their stories and the teams’ most iconic eras and moments.
The Detroit News will also recognize the Wings’ 100th season, ranking the top 100 players and top 10 teams in the organization’s history.
Twenty-five players will be released each of the next four days, ending with the top 25 on Friday.
“Maybe one day we should sit down with the players who are here now and take them through a history class,” said McLellan, “because I’m not sure everybody knows exactly what has happened here.”
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
@tkulfan
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