The Detroit Red Wings played their final game Sunday night at Joe Louis Arena against the New Jersey Devils. It seemed Like old times during that game as Detroit went on to win 4-1 to close out the season.
Many current and former Wings were in attendance after the game to give their final thoughts during a ceremony that took place at center ice.
Former head coach Scotty Bowman was in attendance and gave us his farewell to the Joe speech. Bowman explained how his career changed when he talked to the Ilitch family. Bowman shared his memories about the “Russian Five”, Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, and many others.
He also tells the crowd why Tomas Holmstrom wore number 96 during his career with the Wings. Watch and try not cry as Bowman gives us the rest of his memories of one of the most iconic buildings in NHL history.
Legendary Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman has his final say at the Joe. #farewell2theJoe pic.twitter.com/euoxlUADCr
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) April 10, 2017
During his coaching career, Bowman won nine Stanley Cups, three of which were with the Detroit Red Wings (1997, 1998, 2002). He also won championships with the Montreal Canadiens (1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979) and the Pittsburgh Penguins (1992). He was also a two-time Jack Adams award winner in 1977 and 1996.
Bowman coached nine seasons with Detroit from the 1993-1994 season to his final years as a head coach in 2001-2002. He then moved on to the front office of the Detroit Red Wings as a consultant and was apart of the 2008 Stanley Cup team. is currently a Senior Advisor of Hockey Operations for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Bowman is the only coach to win the Stanley Cup with three different teams. He made the Cup finals a record of 13 times and still holds the record of most wins of any head coach with 1,244 in 2,141 games coached.
No other coach will ever live up to what Bowman did here in Detroit and how he helped turn this historic franchise around once he took over.
