Detroit Red Wings

The Five: Red Wings NHL All-Star Game Moments

Published

2 years ago

February 7, 2022

Bob Duff

Frank Mahovlich/Gordie Howe, Detroit Red WIngs

Frank Mahovlich and Gordie Howe work over Pat Stapleton during the 1971 NHL All-Star Game.

Another NHL All-Star Game has gone into the books without significant contributions being made by a member of the Detroit Red Wings. This is not an unusual development.

In fact, it’s been over a half century since a Red Wings player was named MVP of the NHL’s midseason classic.

However, this wasn’t always the case. In fact, there have been several memorable achievements involving Red Wings and the All-Star Game. For example, there’s only been two fights in the history of the game and both involved Detroit players. Gordie Howe tangled with Toronto’s Gus Mortson in 1951 and Red Kelly dropped the mitts with Montreal’s Bert Olmsteaad in 1953.

As fascinating as that fact may be, it didn’t make the cut for the five greatest Detroit NHL All-Star Game Moments

1950 NHL All-Star Game: Take Your Hat Off For Terrible Ted

The Stanley Cup champion Red Wings played host to the NHL All-Stars on Oct. 8, 1950 at Olympia Stadium. Detroit spanked the best of the rest of the league by a 7-1 count. The Production Line of Sid Abel, Ted Lindsay and Howe combined for 4-3-7 totals in the rout.

Lindsay set an NHL All-Star Game record by scoring 19 second following the opening faceoff. He scored a power-play goal later in the period that stood up as the game winner. Terrible Ted netted a shorthanded goal with 5:32 to play. In the process, he was competing the first hat-trick in the game’s history.

1969 NHL All-Star Game: Big M Delivers The Goods

The All-Star Game format changed this season to pit players from the six established East Division teams against the upstarts from the six West Division squads.

Twice the West took the lead. Both times, Detroit left-winger Frank Mahovlich tallied to even up the count in a game that finished in a 3-3 tie. The Big M was named MVP. Coupled with his 1963 nod while with the Maple Leafs, the Big M became the first two-time winner of the NHL All-Star Game MVP Award.

1980 NHL All-Star Game: A Standing O For Mr. Hockey

Howe was returning to the NHL as a member of the Hartford Whalers following the 1979 NHL-WHA merger. He was selected to play in his record 23rd All-Star Game, which just so happened to be scheduled for brand-new Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

When Howe was introduced, the All-Star Game-record crowd of 21,002 rose to their feet and wouldn’t stop cheering. An emotional Howe was left wiping away tears as he was welcomed home to Hockeytown.

Mr. Hockey ended up helping the Wales Conference to a 6-3 win. Howe collected his record 19th All-Star Game point when he set up Real Cloutier for the game’s final goal.

1984 NHL All-Star Game: Stevie Y Is The Youngest All-Star

Enjoying an outstanding rookie NHL campaign, Red Wings center Steve Yzerman was named to play for the Campbell Conference in the 1984 game. at 18 years, eight months, and 22 days of age, he’s the youngest player ever selected to participate in an All-Star Game.

Yzerman assisted on a goal by Detroit teammate John Ogrodick. The Wales Conference edged the Campbells 7-6.

2016

NHL All-Star Game: Larkin Is The Fastest Of Them All

Like Yzerman, current Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin was selected to play in the NHL All-Star as a rookie. Larkin was also entered in the Fastest Skater competition during the Skills Competition.

He blazed around the ice in 13.172 seconds. Larkin not only won the event, he set a speed record that stands to this day.