NHL Team Guide
Detroit Red Wings: History, Stanley Cups & Facts
The Detroit Red Wings joined the NHL in 1926 and are one of the Original Six teams. They have won the Stanley Cup 11 times, the most of any U.S.-based team as of 2026.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1926, as the Detroit Cougars |
|---|---|
| Original Six | Yes |
| Arena | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit (since 2017) |
| Stanley Cups | 11 (1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008) |
| Name history | Cougars (1926–1930), Falcons (1930–1932), Red Wings (1932–) |
| Playoff streak | 25 straight postseasons, 1990–91 to 2015–16 |
Stanley Cup history
Detroit has won 11 Stanley Cups and, through the 2025–26 season, has played in 24 Stanley Cup Finals. The 1997 title ended a 42-year drought.
- 1936: beat the Toronto Maple Leafs
- 1937: beat the New York Rangers
- 1943: beat the Boston Bruins
- 1950: beat the New York Rangers
- 1952: beat the Montreal Canadiens
- 1954: beat the Montreal Canadiens
- 1955: beat the Montreal Canadiens
- 1997: beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4–0
- 1998: beat the Washington Capitals 4–0
- 2002: beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4–1
- 2008: beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4–2
Franchise history
- 1926: Joined the NHL as the Detroit Cougars.
- 1927: Moved into the Olympia.
- 1932: Renamed the Red Wings.
- 1936: Won the franchise's first Stanley Cup.
- 1979: Moved into Joe Louis Arena.
- 1997: Won the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1955.
- 2017: Moved into Little Caesars Arena.
Franchise record holders
| Points | Gordie Howe, 1,809 |
|---|---|
| Assists | Steve Yzerman, 1,063 |
| Goaltender wins | Terry Sawchuk, 350 |
Retired numbers
- 1Terry Sawchuk
- 4Red Kelly
- 5Nicklas Lidstrom
- 7Ted Lindsay
- 9Gordie Howe
- 10Alex Delvecchio
- 12Sid Abel
- 19Steve Yzerman
- 91Sergei Fedorov
- 99Wayne Gretzky (retired across the NHL)
Hall of Famers
Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, Ted Lindsay, Alex Delvecchio, Terry Sawchuk, Red Kelly, Sid Abel, Sergei Fedorov, Pavel Datsyuk, Jack Adams, Mike Ilitch.
Biggest rivalries
- Chicago Blackhawks: Original Six rivals who met Detroit in the 1934 and 1961 Stanley Cup Finals.
- Colorado Avalanche: a bitter rivalry of the late 1990s and early 2000s, with several playoff meetings.
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Original Six rivals and frequent Stanley Cup Final opponents from the 1930s to the 1960s.
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How many Stanley Cups have the Red Wings won?
Eleven. As of 2026 that is the most by any U.S.-based NHL team.
Why do Red Wings fans throw octopuses?
The tradition dates to 1952, when an octopus was thrown on the ice. Its eight arms stood for the eight playoff wins then needed to win the Stanley Cup.
What were the Red Wings called before?
The Detroit Cougars from 1926 to 1930 and the Detroit Falcons from 1930 to 1932.
How long was the Red Wings' playoff streak?
25 straight postseasons, from 1990–91 to 2015–16.
Who has the most points in Red Wings history?
Gordie Howe, with 1,809 points. He also leads the franchise in goals (786) and games (1,687).
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.