Kris Draper announces retirement

[plopster 136]

there should be a t-shirt that says something like "33 - The most bang for 1 buck"

[Electrophile 3,554]

What is up with Illitch's hair? Is that a wig from the Phil Spector "Wall of Sound" collection?

Fair winds and following seas, Drapes. Hope to see you hanging around Joe Louis this coming season.

[Red Wings Addict 787]

What I will remember most about Draper is that he was essentially the spokesman and morale officer for the Red Wings for most of his 17 seasons in Detroit. Steve Yzerman was captain for most of Draper’s tenure, but Yzerman didn’t enjoy talking to the media every day about every issue that affected the team or the NHL. Draper usually filled that role in Detroit. When the team was going well, Draper was there to praise teammates. When the team was going poorly, Draper made himself available to explain what went wrong and how the team was going to turn around. He was the player who spread the message of composure that was probably directed at his teammates, as well as the fans and media. Draper always seemed to know what to say.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/columnist/allen/2011-07-25-nhl-kris-draper-tribute_n.htm

So who's going to try to fill that role? Draper had quite a big voice in the locker room and he was always talking.

[Travis 576]

Now for Grind Line II- Abdelkader, Helm, Miller or Mursak.

The Winged Wheel lives on.

Congratulations on the great career, Drapes. The Joe's doors are open any time you want by.

Abdelkader - Helm - Eaves

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Thanks for everything, Drapes.

[55fan 5,133]

So who's going to try to fill that role? Draper had quite a big voice in the locker room and he was always talking.

Kronwall does a lot of media talking. He's not as good as Drapes, but I have a feeling he'll be the one stepping into that role.

[Red Wings Addict 787]

McCarty recalled numerous fires that had to be extinguished due to Draper and Maltby.

“You’d hop into a pile and there’d be pushing and shoving. I’d come in and grab somebody or step in the way and the guy would say, ‘I’m going to (bleeping) kill Draper, Maltby is such a (expletive),’ ” McCarty said. “I’d say, ‘I can’t agree with you more, but you’re not going to touch them now. You got to deal with me.’

“Joey was always the best because he’d come in and grab three at the same time like little kids and say, ‘What are you guys doing?’

“It made us that much tougher to play against.”

Double . Nice little quote to make the staunch enforcer crowd sigh a little bit.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2011/07/how_kris_draper_the_grind_line.html

[VM1138 1,921]

So who's going to try to fill that role? Draper had quite a big voice in the locker room and he was always talking.

Stuart, I imagine. He's not as media-friendly, but apparently he's a big presence in the locker room.

Edited July 27, 2011 by VM1138

[Red Wings Addict 787]

Kronwall does a lot of media talking. He's not as good as Drapes, but I have a feeling he'll be the one stepping into that role.

Yep. Z, Bear and Kronner, according to Bear. Although among those three I'd say Kronner gets the most enjoyment out of addressing the media while I'd say Z gets the least.

“It’s going to take a couple of us to fill his one voice,” Cleary said, smiling.

Then he got serious.

“Listen, it’s probably going to fall on myself, Hank, probably Kronwall, too,” he said. “We’ll be OK.”

Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2011-07-26/henrik-zetterberg-pavel-datsyuk-detroit-red-wings-kris-draper-chris-ogood#ixzz1TJ3hrqOO

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

[Travis 576]

So who alternates the 'A' this season in Drapes' stead? My guess is Kronwall after he wore it (once) last year.

[softshoes 83]

Kronwall does a lot of media talking. He's not as good as Drapes, but I have a feeling he'll be the one stepping into that role.

<------<<

And if they don't listen he can just give them the look.

Seriously, I read a comment on another board that summed it up best: What player that's played with Detroit for the last 15yrs or so retires with a bad career. Thanks for the memories Drapes.

Edited July 27, 2011 by softshoes

[plopster 136]

Come on matt, how bout that t-shirt. "33 the most bang for 1 buck"

[esteef 2,679]

Who the hell is Bear?

esteef

[Travis 576]

Who the hell is Bear?

esteef

I was wondering the same thing.

[cjm502 165]

Who the hell is Bear?

esteef

That would be good ol Danny Cleary!

[Barrie 900]

Great article about Drapes!

http://detnews.com/article/20110727/OPINION03/107270360/1128/rss16

What a great guy! They don't come any better than him.