Detroit Red Wings pull off heartfelt gesture as an unexpected retirement within the organization is announced
The Detroit Red Wings raised their sticks to fans at Little Caesers arena on Monday night in what would be their final home game of the season.
It was a rare scene as of late for Red Wings fan, a Monday night win on home ice.
But it was much more important than any other game this season, as longtime broadcaster John Keating would work his final home game on the microphone.
Keating released the following statement:
It's a decision I reached in the middle of the Tigers season this past July.
A couple of years ago, I was out for a ginger ale with my boss, Jeff Byle, who is a longtime pal and he graciously told me at the time, "You tell us when you want to be done.
You've earned that.".
Trust me. In this biz? That's as good as it gets.
It was wistful getting through the end of the Tigers season and now that the Red Wings season is ongoing, it just feels like it's time to share the decision.
It came down to this:
There haven't been enough sunsets with the family in Grand Haven on the Lake Michigan coast.
...So, I shared with Jeff, that I'd like to get through the Tigers and then the Wings season and then be done. Thus, that's the deal. So?
Let's have a blast in this lap, eh?
And pray to the Baby Jesus, that I can survive Chris Osgood this season.
A couple of years ago, I was out for a ginger ale with my boss, Jeff Byle, who is a longtime pal and he graciously told me at the time, "You tell us when you want to be done.
You've earned that.".
Trust me. In this biz? That's as good as it gets.
It was wistful getting through the end of the Tigers season and now that the Red Wings season is ongoing, it just feels like it's time to share the decision.
It came down to this:
There haven't been enough sunsets with the family in Grand Haven on the Lake Michigan coast.
...So, I shared with Jeff, that I'd like to get through the Tigers and then the Wings season and then be done. Thus, that's the deal. So?
Let's have a blast in this lap, eh?
And pray to the Baby Jesus, that I can survive Chris Osgood this season.
The Red Wings honored Keating in a very special way that was reportedly setup by captain Dylan Larkin, have a look:
Happy retirement, John!
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 15 | 231 ANSWERS Detroit Red Wings pull off heartfelt gesture as an unexpected retirement within the organization is announced Are you happy with the Red Wing' 2024-25 NHL season? | ||
| Yes | 25 | 10.8 % |
| No | 206 | 89.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
