It Was 51 Years Ago That Mickey Redmond Joined the Red Wings

Mickey Redmond came up through the Montreal Canadiens system and won two Stanley Cups with the Habs. Yet if you ask him, he’ll tell the luckiest moment of his hockey career came on Jan. 13, 1971, when he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings.

Originally, though, it sure didn’t feel that way.

“Coming to Detroit was not a fun thing at first, because they were buried so far down they couldn’t see up,” Redmond recalled in the book 50 Greatest Red Wings. “But it gave me an opportunity to play full-time and to display my wares.”

Redmond made franchise history by becoming the Red Wings’ first 50-goal scorer in 1972-73. But it was his move into the broadcast booth in 1980 that cemented his legend as a Red Wings cultural icon.

He was originally working national games for Hockey Night In Canada as well as Red Wings broadcasts. Redmond’s opting to move to Detroit full-time in 1985 assured his legacy in Hockeytown.

“When the Red Wings separated their television and radio was when I was asked to come here full-time. Of course it was an easy decision to make,” Redmond said. “I think having been part of two Original Six teams is the memory I’ll always carry. And to still be part of this one, with so much history, is as good as it gets.

“I never thought that one day I’d be behind the microphone for this length of time. And having as much fun as I do.”

Red Wings Recall Criscuolo

For the third time this season, the Red Wings summoned center Kyle Criscuolo from AHL Grand Rapids. He didn’t dress for Thursday’s 3-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

The Red Wings also were returning forward/defenseman Luke Witkowski from the taxi squad to GR.

Around The NHL

Vancouver: Canucks forward Conor Garland is in search of a nickname and not the one that Red Wings forward Filip Zadina gave him earlier this season.

Vegas: Golden Knights prospect Brendan Brisson, the son of prominent NHL player agent Pat Brisson, will play for Team USA at the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Boston: The Bruins have lost defenseman Matt Grzelcyk to COVID-19 protocol.

Pittsburgh: Jeff Carter’s return to LA included a welcoming committee of a standing ovation and a glowing video tribute to his tenure with the Kings.

Washington: Named to captain the Metropolitan Division team in the NHL All-Star Game, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is calling it a huge honor.