Another reason why this organization...

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Dave Gatherum.

[TheBigRedMachine 2]

Dave Gatherum.

I read the article, thanks for the link. Just another reason why the Detroit Red Wings are so unbelievably great.

[SweWings 45]

A class act that leads to some great PR, kind and smart!

[finalfilppula 2]

this is why i love the wings.

[Happy Pancake 6]

Excellent read. Little things like that are why Detroit is the model NHL club.

[Yzersyukstromberg 0]

That's exactly what you would expect a classy organization like the Red Wings to do. Good for them.

[thedisappearer 291]

Awesome. Mike Illitch gets it. I love the Red Wings organization.

[b.shanafan14 733]

Classy is a word thrown around way too much on LGW.com when speaking of the Red Wings organization, but thats cause there is no better word for what the whole organization from ownership to management to coaching to the players on the ice represent.

Mike and Marian, once again, very.... CLASSY

Edited February 28, 2009 by b.shanafan14

[Vladifan 680]

Dave Gatherum.

Yo, bros. I can't thank you enough for inputing this story. It will most definitely make my week.

Are we lucky and graced to be Red Wings' fans , or what?!

[MacK_Attack 108]

I remember the Leafs doing something like this a few years ago. One of the guys who played on a Cup winning team in the 40s had terminal cancer and was in the hospital for good. Anyways, his Stanley Cup ring had been stolen a number of years ago and Pat Quinn found out about it, so they had a replica of the ring from that season made and presented it to him in the hospital, along with the Stanley Cup itself.

[Zion 93]

Wow.

Just wow.

[Spinner 6]

Very Classy. The Wings rule in every department.

Hey Lions, pay attention to how it's done!!!

[Nev 1,085]

Wow, that's unbelievable - a championship ring for every living Wing who played on a pre-97 championship team. Thats a lot of rings, and a lot $$$$$$$

But I tell you what, its even more class. Absolutely fantastic.

They should get all those guys to the Joe one night so the fans can show their appreciation one last time - one by one all those old boys are gunna start disappearing soon.

[EuroTwin 240]

That's a beautiful article. This organization makes me so proud I could burst sometimes. Classy, classy, classy.

That "Family" part at the end really got me. How so awesome, Red Wings?

[Electrophile 3,554]

Stories like this are why you couldn't pay me to root for any other team, ever. I don't care if all my favorite players from this team move to some other team......it's Wings or bust.

[T.Low 1,011]

Jesus Christ, God bless the Illitch Family! I got misty eyed just reading that f***in article, holy s***.

Can you imagine how that old man must feel, sitting in his barkalounger up der in T'under Bay, having his old man buddies come over and look at the Stanley Cup Ring and marvel. Thats more rare, more valuable than winning the lottory! His buddies are thinking he's the s***, now! Just for a moment, people have someone else to talk up other than the Stahl family. He's the talk of the town. Rah.

Thanks a ton for posting the article, thats why I log on to LGW from 2500 miles away from The Joe. Luv you guys! Beers all around!

[mikiemike24 0]

Unbelievable find. Thanks for posting.

[whitneydatsyukrox 0]

Wow... What's not to love about the Wings?

I definitely cried, it was so sweet to see how touched Mr. Gatherum was!

[Ms_Hockey 0]

I remember the Leafs doing something like this a few years ago. One of the guys who played on a Cup winning team in the 40s had terminal cancer and was in the hospital for good. Anyways, his Stanley Cup ring had been stolen a number of years ago and Pat Quinn found out about it, so they had a replica of the ring from that season made and presented it to him in the hospital, along with the Stanley Cup itself.

Amazing.

Just the pure kind-heartedness of some people amazes me.

[Vladifan 680]

Stories like this are why you couldn't pay me to root for any other team, ever. I don't care if all my favorite players from this team move to some other team......it's Wings or bust.

Exactly. And I think it's one of the few things about the Wings that all the so-called sports peeps recognize and acknowledge.

[Jedi 1,865]

I think one of the most striking parts about this, is the small snippet about the engraving on the inside of the ring...

All I can tell you is Mike Ilitch didn't have to do this. But turning the ring over one day I noticed there was something engraved on the inside. FAMILY.

That sums up what this team is about. You're not an employee. You don't just work for them. You're part of the family, and are valued as such.

[Vladifan 680]

I think one of the most striking parts about this, is the small snippet about the engraving on the inside of the ring...

That sums up what this team is about. You're not an employee. You don't just work for them. You're part of the family, and are valued as such.

Agreed. And furthermore, it must mean that Hossa won't leave because he also thoroughly understands that. Right? OF COURSE, right!

....i believe, i believe, i believe.....

[softshoes 83]

And to think many call the Wings the "evil empire".

The Red Wings are an empire but evil they are not.

Many things to warm the heart at the end of winter in that story. I especially like how when he called to thank the Wings he got the big guy on the phone. :hockeysmile:

[Electrophile 3,554]

That's why players take pay cuts to enable them to play for the Wings for life. Once you're here, you don't want to leave. How many players over the years could have taken boatloads more money to play for someone else, but rather took less than they were worth just to stay? What other team inspires that kind of loyalty? Some fans don't like that loyalty because they think it's rewarding s***ty players with a contract and roster spot long after they deserve one, but I'd rather a team that gives players like Draper and Maltby the chance to play after all they've done for the team than boot them out after X number of years for whatever reason. Also, have you seen anyone wearing #16 recently? Nope, and you never will. It may never be retired, but Mike Illitch will be cold in the ground before it's back in circulation.

I grew up in Chicago and being a Wings fan there was like being a Yankees fan in Boston, but I wore the Winged Wheel with pride knowing I made the right choice. Stories like this are what validates it for me.

[Vladifan 680]

That's why players take pay cuts to enable them to play for the Wings for life. Once you're here, you don't want to leave. How many players over the years could have taken boatloads more money to play for someone else, but rather took less than they were worth just to stay? What other team inspires that kind of loyalty? Some fans don't like that loyalty because they think it's rewarding s***ty players with a contract and roster spot long after they deserve one, but I'd rather a team that gives players like Draper and Maltby the chance to play after all they've done for the team than boot them out after X number of years for whatever reason. Also, have you seen anyone wearing #16 recently? Nope, and you never will. It may never be retired, but Mike Illitch will be cold in the ground before it's back in circulation.

I grew up in Chicago and being a Wings fan there was like being a Yankees fan in Boston, but I wore the Winged Wheel with pride knowing I made the right choice. Stories like this are what validates it for me.

Amen again.