Wings say “Farewell To The Joe”

The Detroit Red Wings are honouring their home of 38 years during this “Farewell To The Joe” season.

Joe Louis Arena opened for business in downtown Detroit on Dec. 12, 1979 and hosted its first Wings game Dec. 27, 1979 against the St. Louis Blues.

After four Stanley Cups, a 25-year consecutive playoff streak and a laundry list of Hall-of-Fame players, the facility nicknamed The Joe will close its doors on the last Wings season to take place at 19 Steve Yzerman Dr. against the New Jersey Devils on Apr. 9.

“The Joe Louis Arena has been home to incredible memories,” said Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland. “It’s been home for me and Red Wings’ fans since 1979 when it opened. I’m sure it will be an emotional night and an emotional weekend.”

The Red Wings created a Farewell To The Joe logo to commemorate the historic season as well as merchandise and numerous videos featured on the Jumbotron during games and social media outlets.

Wings’ assistant captain Niklas Kronwall has played 12 seasons and won a Stanley Cup in the NHL’s second oldest building next to New York’s Madison Square Garden.

“It’s a bit sad. There’s a lot of history in this building,” said Kronwall. “It’s going to be a bit emotional but also a really cool experience to be a part of.”

There are lots of memories and no doubt the Stanley Cups are the first to come to mind.

Kronwall said it’s also “about the small things, like when Dom (Hasek) flipped Marian Gaborik or the Red Wings/Avalanche battle.”

Although the Wings are moving to a new home and lost more games than they would have hoped to this season, they have also suffered three other significant losses. The end of their 25-year playoff streak and the deaths of both “Mr. Hockey” Gordie Howe and the team’s long-time owner Mike Ilitch.

“It’s obviously extremely sad. Of course everyone gets old but on the other hand it would’ve been awesome for him (Ilitch) to see a game in the new building,” said Kronwall. “It’s been a tough year that way, not just Mr. I, but Gordie Howe as well. There’s been a lot of sad moments this year.”

The death of Mr. Ilitch was not only a loss to the Wings, but also to the Motor City.

“It was a huge loss not only for Red Wings fans,” said Holland. “He opened the head offices of Little Caesars right in the heart of downtown Detroit when he bought the Fox Theater. He was committed to the city of Detroit.”

Ilitch bought the Wings in 1982 and 10 years later bought the Tigers. In between these purchases he also acquired the Fox Theater on Woodward Avenue and followed through with a US $12 million renovation project before its grand re-opening on Nov. 11, 1988.

“It’s unfortunate Mr. I. isn’t here today and won’t get to see the soon finished product of Little Caesars Arena,” said Wings forward Justin Abdelkader. “But he’ll be around there and he’ll be watching over us.”

The Wings open their 2017-18 season in October at the Little Caesars Arena.