USNAVYABH 2 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 I was just watching some old you tube videos. Saw Homer used to wear #15. Does any one now when and why he changed? Just wondering. Tom Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 576 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 He switched in March of '98 because Dimitri Mironov wanted 15. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ComradeWasabi 109 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 I know he wears 96 for the year he came from Sweden (1996). When Scotty Bowman found out about this, he told him he should wear 98, for the year he's going to go back. 1 Nev reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 I believe 1996-97 was his first year with the Red Wings, so almost like his Wings year birthdate maybe... Not sure but that's the best thing I could come up with. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 I know he wears 96 for the year he came from Sweden (1996). When Scotty Bowman found out about this, he told him he should wear 98, for the year he's going to go back. My learned Comrade is correct. I had thought that I had a photo in my album of him in his #15, but I was mistaken. If I find it, I'll post it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jersey Wing 1,521 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 The first time I really heard much about him I learned he had the nickname 'Demolition Man' and I was thinking yyyyyyeeeeeeaaaaahhhhhhh, ok, I think you're going to need to PROVE that to me Mr. Holmstrom. He's the best net agitator/goalie screener/puck tipper ever. Yes ever. For decades to come announcers will compare a goalmouth battle/tip in score to 'Just like Tomas Holmstrom used to do back in the day'. I reiterate Wings fans should chip in and buy him a $5000 recliner chair as a thank you one day when they have Tomas Holmstrom is retiring night. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CenterIce 83 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 He switched in March of '98 because Dimitri Mironov wanted 15. This is correct. Mironov was acquired at the trade deadline. Being the veteran, he got preference of the number over Holmstrom. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 15 is a number that should be retired, since it was worn by both Mironov and Jason Woolley. 2 asoras and stevieisthebest reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trapt1307 81 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 15 is a number that should be retired, since it was worn by both Mironov and Jason Woolley. How dare you forget Todd Gill. Twice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Donaldjr2448 43 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 Tomas Holmstrom signed my 1997 Stanley Cup with the Number 15!! I still have that thing today!!! I LOVE IT!! When I met him, he spoke 0 English!! HE didn't say anything to me, just signed whatever I had!! I think he was star struck by all the Wings fans at Wingsfest that day!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 The first time I really heard much about him I learned he had the nickname 'Demolition Man' and I was thinking yyyyyyeeeeeeaaaaahhhhhhh, ok, I think you're going to need to PROVE that to me Mr. Holmstrom. He's the best net agitator/goalie screener/puck tipper ever. Yes ever. For decades to come announcers will compare a goalmouth battle/tip in score to 'Just like Tomas Holmstrom used to do back in the day'. I reiterate Wings fans should chip in and buy him a $5000 recliner chair as a thank you one day when they have Tomas Holmstrom is retiring night. I love the idea of getting him a recliner. He's been through the battles like few ever have, when he retires he deserves to be lazy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 Tomas Holmstrom signed my 1997 Stanley Cup with the Number 15!! I still have that thing today!!! I LOVE IT!! When I met him, he spoke 0 English!! HE didn't say anything to me, just signed whatever I had!! I think he was star struck by all the Wings fans at Wingsfest that day!! He still speaks zero english. It amazes me how fluent and without accent Lidstrom is, and then in contrast Homer sounds like a chainsaw hacking away at what can sometimes be deciphered as English language. It adds to his charm. 1 Nev reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 I know he wears 96 for the year he came from Sweden (1996). When Scotty Bowman found out about this, he told him he should wear 98, for the year he's going to go back. Sergei Fedorov chose 91 for his first year in the NHL as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trapt1307 81 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 (edited) He still speaks zero english. It amazes me how fluent and without accent Lidstrom is, and then in contrast Homer sounds like a chainsaw hacking away at what can sometimes be deciphered as English language. It adds to his charm. All of the Swedes speak pretty much flawless English except for Holmstrom. Lilja's was really good too. He didn't even really have an accent. Edited May 12, 2011 by Trapt1307 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drumnj 459 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 It's called Swenglish and he's the only person in the world that is fluent in it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weGotTheCup89 41 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 It's called Swenglish and he's the only person in the world that is fluent in it. I believe the stat is 90% of Swedes speak English. Last year I was at game 1 of the Elitserien finals and someone said something offhand in Swedish, I said I only spoke English, and he said "Oh! Sorry, I didn't realize." Also, ARE YOU KIDDING: you remembered Woolley, Mironov and Gill, but forgot Pat Verbeek? 522 career goals Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 He's the best net agitator/goalie screener/puck tipper ever. Yes ever. For decades to come announcers will compare a goalmouth battle/tip in score to 'Just like Tomas Holmstrom used to do back in the day'.. Um, Phil Esposito? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RusDRW 155 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 Um, Phil Esposito? Phil was great at it, no doubts. He was also much better player. Still Holmstrom is the best at what he does. Intensity and clutch and grab style of late 90th when everything was allowed make him better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 Holmer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjlegend 155 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 Where are you now, Johan Garpenlov? A lonely nation turns its eyes to you. Woo woo woo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 Um, Phil Esposito? Remember that Ciccarelli guy was decent at it as well. 1 Lefkowitz reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
achildr1 255 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 (edited) I know he wears 96 for the year he came from Sweden (1996). When Scotty Bowman found out about this, he told him he should wear 98, for the year he's going to go back. Lol, that's awesome if its true. I need to take a look at my Homer signed card. I'm thinking it one of his earliest if not his RC. Gave it to my Wife though, I'd be pretty stoked if it was when he wore 15. Edited May 12, 2011 by achildr1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Danglesyuk05 3 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 I love the idea of buying homer a recliner. Not that he couldn't afford to buy 10 of em, but the idea that we can show him how grateful us Wings fans our for his time in the D. Man I wish I lived in Detroit..I live in the U.P. so I don't get down there very often. I have all kinds of signed Lions gear cause I go to alot of games but I want to get Wings season tickets when I graduate next December. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted May 12, 2011 Lol, that's awesome if its true. It's true. Bowman was getting fed up with the amount of penalties Homer was taking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 How dare you forget Todd Gill. Twice. Didn't the great Josh Langfeld also wear number 15 here? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
