28 replies to this topic

[Hockey God]

Larry Aurie was considered by owner James Norris as the heart and soul of the Detroit NHL franchise from 1927 through 1938. He was known for his remarkable all-around play, goal-scoring achievements and for being instrumental in the Red Wings' winning their first two Stanley Cup championships in 1936 and 1937. Aurie's No. 6 jersey was officially retired by James Norris after the 1937-38 season. His jersey was displayed in the Olympia Stadium lobby during the 1960s, but present owner Mike Ilitch – for some inexplicable reason – refuses to display the number at Joe Louis Arena with the other retired numbers, despite several published accounts to support the retirement of the number.
You can get the full story here http://bleacherrepor...-to-the-rafters

And sign a petition to hang Aurie's number at Joe Louis here http://www.gopetitio...he-rafters.html

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[hooon]

Nice!

[GMRwings1983]

Yeah it's been talked about here before, and it seems very unclassy by Ilitch, especially since he refuses to explain himself.

[stevkrause]

Yeah it's been talked about here before, and it seems very unclassy by Ilitch, especially since he refuses to explain himself.

As we've discussed on this board many times, this is one of the only black marks on an otherwise pristine Ilitch era...

Even though it is still technically unofficially retired and the team will not issue it to any other players, Aurie still deserves the honor he was once bestowed to be returned

#6 should be in the rafters. period.

[55fan]

Agreed. For all reasons listed and then some.

See this for details.

Edited by 55fan, 16 April 2010 - 11:03 AM.

[The Secret]

I thought this was going to be a thread about Stumpy Steve Thomas

[8 Legged RedWing]

I signed it. Gotta respect all those who have given major parts of their life to this organization.

[toby91_ca]

Larry Aurie was considered by owner James Norris as the heart and soul of the Detroit NHL franchise from 1927 through 1938. He was known for his remarkable all-around play, goal-scoring achievements and for being instrumental in the Red Wings' winning their first two Stanley Cup championships in 1936 and 1937. Aurie's No. 6 jersey was officially retired by James Norris after the 1937-38 season. His jersey was displayed in the Olympia Stadium lobby during the 1960s, but present owner Mike Ilitch – for some inexplicable reason – refuses to display the number at Joe Louis Arena with the other retired numbers, despite several published accounts to support the retirement of the number.
You can get the full story here http://bleacherrepor...-to-the-rafters

And sign a petition to hang Aurie's number at Joe Louis here http://www.gopetitio...he-rafters.html

He didn't even play in the 1937 playoffs.

My personal opinion...based only on what I can tell from stats and other stories as I've obviously never seen him play, he never should have had his number retired in the first place. HOWEVER, he did have his number retired and becuase of that, it should still be honoured as such, regardless of what new owner may think.

Think about it this way: If the team gets sold and a new owner comes in and decides he doesn't want to have Howe's and Yzerman's numbers retired anymore......what would you think?

[Hockeytown0001]

He didn't even play in the 1937 playoffs.

My personal opinion...based only on what I can tell from stats and other stories as I've obviously never seen him play, he never should have had his number retired in the first place. HOWEVER, he did have his number retired and becuase of that, it should still be honoured as such, regardless of what new owner may think.

Think about it this way: If the team gets sold and a new owner comes in and decides he doesn't want to have Howe's and Yzerman's numbers retired anymore......what would you think?

Blasphemy.

[egroen]

He didn't even play in the 1937 playoffs.

My personal opinion...based only on what I can tell from stats and other stories as I've obviously never seen him play, he never should have had his number retired in the first place. HOWEVER, he did have his number retired and becuase of that, it should still be honoured as such, regardless of what new owner may think.

Think about it this way: If the team gets sold and a new owner comes in and decides he doesn't want to have Howe's and Yzerman's numbers retired anymore......what would you think?

Agreed... except about the "he never should have had his number retired in the first place".

I've read about Larry Aurie quite a bit - and the best way I can describe him is a heart and soul player and leader, who gave 110% effort each and every night, on both ends of the ice.

Think of Kris Draper - and what he has meant to the team, only much better offensively.
If Draper had won the Rocket Richard, led the team in points in the playoffs and finished Top 4 in points in the league twice -- you better believe a lot of folks would believe he deserved to go up to the rafters. Heck, many think he deserves it already.

When a young Gordie Howe joined the Red Wings, Jack Adams was often asked if he would be the "next Larry Aurie".

He actually was a player/coach in 1937. Injured for the playoffs, but was behind the bench.

Edited by egroen, 16 April 2010 - 11:52 AM.

[stevkrause]

Agreed... except about the "he never should have had his number retired in the first place".

I've read about Larry Aurie quite a bit - and the best way I can describe him is a heart and soul player and leader, who gave 110% effort each and every night, on both ends of the ice.

Think of Kris Draper - and what he has meant to the team, only much better offensively.
If Draper had won the Rocket Richard, led the team in points in the playoffs and finished Top 4 in points in the league twice -- you better believe a lot of folks would believe he deserved to go up to the rafters. Heck, many think he deserves it already.

When a young Gordie Howe joined the Red Wings, Jack Adams was often asked if he would be the "next Larry Aurie".

He actually was a player/coach in 1937. Injured for the playoffs, but was behind the bench.

"Free Iran?"

"I'll take it!"

::dials phone::

"Saudi Arabia, I have something you may want, muahahaha"


sorry... every time I see your signature I feel the need to make that slightly modified Family Guy reference...

[egroen]

"Free Iran?"

"I'll take it!"

::dials phone::

"Saudi Arabia, I have something you may want, muahahaha"


sorry... every time I see your signature I feel the need to make that slightly modified Family Guy reference...

[VM1138]

Interesting question: Why was his number removed from Olympia in the '60s? We talk about Illitch "un-retiring" it, but why was it removed before Illitch came on the scene?

[esteef]

I thought this was going to be a thread about Stumpy Steve Thomas

I was gonna say Boyd the Void!

esteef

[Buppy]

I thought this was going to be a thread about Stumpy Steve Thomas

I thought it was going to about that one guy, um... can't think of his name...

[Chelios57]

I've done countless research on this and the only logical explanation is that the Red Wings don't retire numbers of players who aren't in the Hall of Fame.

[Barrie]

I've done countless research on this and the only logical explanation is that the Red Wings don't retire numbers of players who aren't in the Hall of Fame.

I don't know enough to have an opinion or not, but if that's the case, makes sense I guess.

[thedisappearer]

Think of Kris Draper - and what he has meant to the team, only much better offensively.
If Draper had won the Rocket Richard, led the team in points in the playoffs and finished Top 4 in points in the league twice

So not Kris Draper in any meaningful way. Got it.

But he played here awhile and tried very hard with good results.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros]

I was gonna say Boyd the Void!

esteef

Mathieu Dandenault was my first guess!

[Drake_Marcus]

I've always assumed there was a dark secret about Larry that the Ilitches knew but haven't made public out of respect to his family. (maybe he ate babies or kicked a puppy down the stairs or something like that)

That still doesn't explain why Red Kelly is being snubbed.