Mike Ilitch's legacy: From Joe Louis Arena to Little Caesars Arena
Photo credit: hok
Mike Ilitch bought the Detroit Red Wings in 1982 with a passion for transforming the team. Under his ownership, the Red Wings fans had reasons to fill Joe Louis Arena, named after Joe Louis Barrow.
Ilitch's investment paid off, especially in an era without a salary cap, leading to three Stanley Cup victories during a 25-season playoff streak.
"I'd spend every penny to be the best. That's what sports are all about," Ilitch declared.
In 2017, the Red Wings moved to Little Caesars Arena. Since then, they have been in a rebuilding phase, failing to make the playoffs for the past eight years. Christopher Ilitch, who succeeded his father, has faced criticism for not investing enough in the teams.
However, the hiring of Steve Yzerman as general manager in 2019 has brought hope. Despite recent challenges, including key injuries, expectations are high for a return to the playoffs, driven by the leadership of captain Dylan Larkin and new talent like Alex Debrincat.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 6 | 68 ANSWERS Mike Ilitch's legacy: From Joe Louis Arena to Little Caesars Arena How confident are you in the Detroit Red Wings' chances of making the playoffs next season? | ||
| Very confident | 33 | 48.5 % |
| Somewhat confident | 28 | 41.2 % |
| Not very confident | 7 | 10.3 % |
| Not confident at all | 0 | 0 % |
| List of polls | ||
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