The 1996–97

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

season was the 71st

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

Michigan Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, ...

. The highlight of the Red Wings season was winning the

Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...

, their first since

1955 Events January * January 3 – José Ramón Guizado becomes president of Panama. * January 17 – , the first nuclear-powered submarine, puts to sea for the first time, from Groton, Connecticut. * January 18– 20 – Battle of Yijian ...

Off-season

On July 23, 1996, Detroit Red Wings President

Bill Evo Bill Evo (born February 21, 1954) is an American lawyer and a former professional ice hockey player and executive. Hockey career Evo played major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League with the Peterborough Petes from 1971 to 1974. He was s ...

resigned his position after serving just ten months at the team's helm. The Nickname "Hockeytown" was coined to launch the start of a five-year marketing campaign.

Regular season

The "HOCKEYTOWN" logo, a Red Wings logo overlapped with the term "HOCKEYTOWN," was shown over center ice starting this season and was still there . A season highlight was

Sergei Fedorov Sergei Viktorovich Fyodorov (; born December 13, 1969) is a Russian former professional ice hockey player and the former head coach of HC CSKA Moscow, CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) from 2021 to 2024. During his playing care ...

's five-goal performance on December 26, 1996, in a game against the

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

. The Red Wings won 5–4 in overtime. Fedorov's fifth goal of the game came at 2:39 of the overtime period. On February 8, 1997, coach

Scotty Bowman William Scott Bowman (born September 18, 1933) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey head coach. He holds the record for most wins in National Hockey League (NHL) history, with 1,244 wins in the regular season and 223 in the Stanley Cup ...

achieved his 1000th victory as an NHL head coach against his previous team, the

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

. On March 26, 1997, the

Red Wings–Avalanche brawl Red is the color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–750 nanometres. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and a secondary ...

continued to fuel the rivalry between the teams. Detroit won that game 6–5 in overtime.

Season standings

Playoffs

The Red Wings won the

1997 Stanley Cup Finals The 1997 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1996–97 season, and the culmination of the 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Detroit Red Wings and the Philadelphia Flyers. The R ...

, their first

since the

1954–55 NHL season The 1954–55 NHL season was the 38th season of the National Hockey League. Six teams played 70 games each. The Detroit Red Wings were the Stanley Cup champions as they defeated the Montreal Canadiens four games to three in the best-of-seven fi ...

. Six days after winning the Stanley Cup, tragedy struck when defenseman

Vladimir Konstantinov Vladimir Nikolaevich Konstantinov (; born March 19, 1967) is a Russian former professional ice hockey player who played his entire National Hockey League (NHL) career, from 1991 to 1997 with the Detroit Red Wings. Previously, he had played for So ...

, defenseman

Viacheslav Fetisov Viacheslav Alexandrovich "Slava" Fetisov State Duma, MP (; born 20 April 1958) is a Russian former professional ice hockey defenceman, coach, politician and sports official. He played for HC CSKA Moscow for 13 seasons before joining the National ...

, and massage therapist Sergei Mnatsakanov were involved in a limousine accident. The driver, who later said he fell asleep, had a suspended license for previous drunk driving convictions.

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1 , , October 5 , , Detroit , , 1–3 , ,

New Jersey New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...

, , , , Osgood , , 18,622 , , 0–1–0 , , 0 , , , - , 2 , , October 9 , ,

Edmonton Edmonton is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta. It is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Central Alberta ...

, , 0–2 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 1–1–0 , , 2 , , , - , 3 , , October 11 , ,

Calgary Calgary () is a major city in the Canadian province of Alberta. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806 making it the third-largest city and fifth-largest metropolitan area in C ...

, , 2–1 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 1–2–0 , , 2 , , , - , 4 , , October 12 , , Detroit , , 6–1 , ,

Buffalo Buffalo most commonly refers to: * True buffalo or Bubalina, a subtribe of wild cattle, including most "Old World" buffalo, such as water buffalo * Bison, a genus of wild cattle, including the American buffalo * Buffalo, New York, a city in the n ...

, , , , Vernon , , 18,595 , , 2–2–0 , , 4 , , , - , 5 , , October 15 , , Detroit , , 1–3 , ,

Dallas Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...

, , , , Vernon , , 15,983 , , 2–3–0 , , 4 , , , - , 6 , , October 17 , , Detroit , , 1–2 , ,

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

, , , , Osgood , , 18,261 , , 2–4–0 , , 4 , , , - , 7 , , October 19 , , NY Islanders , , 2–4 , , Detroit , , , , Vernon , , 19,983 , , 3–4–0 , , 6 , , , - , 8 , , October 21 , ,

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

, , 0–3 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,849 , , 4–4–0 , , 8 , , , - , 9 , , October 23 , , Dallas , , 1–4 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 5–4–0 , , 10 , , , - , 10 , , October 25 , , Chicago , , 2–2 , , Detroit , , OT , , Hodson , , 19,983 , , 5–4–1 , , 11 , , , - , 11 , , October 26 , , Detroit , , 2–1 , ,

Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...

, , , , Osgood , , 17,012 , , 6–4–1 , , 13 , , , - , 12 , , October 30 , ,

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

, , 3–5 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 7–4–1 , , 15 , , , - , - , 13 , , November 1 , , Detroit , , 2–2 , ,

Ottawa Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...

, , OT , , Osgood , , 14,158 , , 7–4–2 , , 16 , , , - , 14 , , November 2 , , Detroit , , 2–6 , ,

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

, , , , Vernon , , 15,726 , , 7–5–2 , , 16 , , , - , 15 , , November 4 , ,

Hartford Hartford is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The city, located in Hartford County, Connecticut, Hartford County, had a population of 121,054 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 ce ...

, , 1–5 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 8–5–2 , , 18 , , , - , 16 , , November 6 , ,

, , 2–0 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 8–6–2 , , 18 , , , - , 17 , , November 8 , , Detroit , , 4–1 , , Hartford , , , , Vernon , , 14,660 , , 9–6–2 , , 20 , , , - , 18 , , November 10 , ,

Tampa Bay Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and shallow estuary connected to the Gulf of Mexico on the west-central coast of Florida, comprising Hillsborough Bay, McKay Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay. The largest freshwater i ...

, , 2–4 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 10–6–2 , , 22 , , , - , 19 , , November 13 , ,

Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States. It is one of the Mountain states, sharing the Four Corners region with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is also bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas ...

, , 4–1 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 10–7–2 , , 22 , , , - , 20 , , November 15 , , San Jose , , 1–5 , , Detroit , , , , Vernon , , 19,983 , , 11–7–2 , , 24 , , , - , 21 , , November 18 , , Detroit , , 2–2 , , Phoenix , , OT , , Osgood , , 15,436 , , 11–7–3 , , 25 , , , - , 22 , , November 21 , , Detroit , , 6–1 , , San Jose , , , , Vernon , , 17,442 , , 12–7–3 , , 27 , , , - , 23 , , November 23 , , Detroit , , 6–0 , ,

, , , , Osgood , , 16,005 , , 13–7–3 , , 29 , , , - , 24 , , November 24 , , Detroit , , 1–3 , ,

Anaheim Anaheim ( ) is a city in northern Orange County, California, United States, part of the Greater Los Angeles area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 346,824, making it the most populous city in Orange County, the tenth-most ...

, , , , Vernon , , 17,174 , , 13–8–3 , , 29 , , , - , 25 , , November 27 , , Toronto , , 2–5 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 14–8–3 , , 31 , , , - , - , 26 , , December 1 , ,

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

, , 4–2 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 14–9–3 , , 31 , , , - , 27 , , December 3 , ,

Vancouver Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the cit ...

, , 2–2 , , Detroit , , OT , , Osgood , , 19,921 , , 14–9–4 , , 32 , , , - , 28 , , December 4 , , Detroit , , 2–0 , ,

Washington Washington most commonly refers to: * George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States * Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A ...

, , , , Hodson , , 16,117 , , 15–9–4 , , 34 , , , - , 29 , , December 10 , ,

, , 0–0 , , Detroit , , OT , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 15–9–5 , , 35 , , , - , 30 , , December 12 , ,

, , 2–6 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 16–9–5 , , 37 , , , - , 31 , , December 15 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 17–9–5 , , 39 , , , - , 32 , , December 17 , , Detroit , , 3–4 , ,

, , , , Vernon , , 16,061 , , 17–10–5 , , 39 , , , - , 33 , , December 18 , , Detroit , , 3–3 , ,

, , OT , , Osgood , , 16,237 , , 17–10–6 , , 40 , , , - , 34 , , December 20 , , Detroit , , 2–3 , , Vancouver , , , , Hodson , , 18,422 , , 17–11–6 , , 40 , , , - , 35 , , December 22 , , Detroit , , 6–2 , , Edmonton , , , , Osgood , , 16,724 , , 18–11–6 , , 42 , , , - , 36 , , December 26 , , Washington , , 4–5 , , Detroit , , OT , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 19–11–6 , , 44 , , , - , 37 , , December 28 , , Detroit , , 7–1 , , NY Islanders , , , , Vernon , , 16,297 , , 20–11–6 , , 46 , , , - , 38 , , December 30 , , Phoenix , , 5–3 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 20–12–6 , , 46 , , , - , - , 39 , , January 3 , ,

, , 2–1 , , Detroit , , , , Vernon , , 19,983 , , 20–13–6 , , 46 , , , - , 40 , , January 5 , , Detroit , , 5–5 , ,

, , OT , , Vernon , , 21,914 , , 20–13–7 , , 47 , , , - , 41 , , January 8 , , Detroit , , 3–6 , , Dallas , , , , Osgood , , 15,326 , , 20–14–7 , , 47 , , , - , 42 , , January 9 , , Detroit , , 5–4 , , Phoenix , , OT , , Osgood , , 16,210 , , 21–14–7 , , 49 , , , - , 43 , , January 11 , , Chicago , , 3–1 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 21–15–7 , , 49 , , , - , 44 , , January 14 , ,

, , 3–3 , , Detroit , , OT , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 21–15–8 , , 50 , , , - , 45 , , January 20 , , Detroit , , 1–4 , ,

, , , , Vernon , , 21,273 , , 21–16–8 , , 50 , , , - , 46 , , January 22 , ,

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

, , 2–2 , , Detroit , , OT , , Vernon , , 19,983 , , 21–16–9 , , 51 , , , - , 47 , , January 25 , , Detroit , , 4–1 , , Philadelphia , , , , Vernon , , 19,711 , , 22–16–9 , , 53 , , , - , 48 , , January 29 , , Phoenix , , 3–0 , , Detroit , , , , Vernon , , 19,983 , , 22–17–9 , , 53 , , , - , - , 49 , , February 1 , , Detroit , , 4–1 , ,

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

, , , , Vernon , , 20,330 , , 23–17–9 , , 55 , , , - , 50 , , February 2 , ,

, , 3–4 , , Detroit , , OT , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 24–17–9 , , 57 , , , - , 51 , , February 4 , , St. Louis , , 1–1 , , Detroit , , OT , , Vernon , , 19,983 , , 24–17–10 , , 58 , , , - , 52 , , February 6 , ,

, , 7–4 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 24–18–10 , , 58 , , , - , 53 , , February 8 , , Detroit , , 6–5 , ,

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...

, , OT , , Vernon , , 17,355 , , 25–18–10 , , 60 , , , - , 54 , , February 12 , , San Jose , , 1–7 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 26–18–10 , , 62 , , , - , 55 , , February 14 , , Detroit , , 3–4 , , Dallas , , OT , , Vernon , , 16,924 , , 26–19–10 , , 62 , , , - , 56 , , February 16 , , Detroit , , 4–2 , ,

, , , , Osgood , , 14,703 , , 27–19–10 , , 64 , , , - , 57 , , February 17 , , Detroit , , 3–3 , ,

, , OT , , Vernon , , 19,579 , , 27–19–11 , , 65 , , , - , 58 , , February 19 , ,

, , 0–4 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 28–19–11 , , 67 , , , - , 59 , , February 22 , , Detroit , , 2–2 , , St. Louis , , OT , , Vernon , , 20,371 , , 28–19–12 , , 68 , , , - , 60 , , February 24 , , Detroit , , 5–3 , , Phoenix , , , , Osgood , , 16,210 , , 29–19–12 , , 70 , , , - , 61 , , February 27 , , Pittsburgh , , 1–4 , , Detroit , , , , Vernon , , 19,983 , , 30–19–12 , , 72 , , , - , - , 62 , , March 1 , , NY Rangers , , 0–3 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 31–19–12 , , 74 , , , - , 63 , , March 2 , ,

, , 1–1 , , Detroit , , OT , , Vernon , , 19,983 , , 31–19–13 , , 75 , , , - , 64 , , March 5 , , Detroit , , 4–4 , ,

, , OT , , Osgood , , 15,726 , , 31–19–14 , , 76 , , , - , 65 , , March 8 , , Detroit , , 5–3 , ,

, , , , Vernon , , 18,422 , , 32–19–14 , , 78 , , , - , 66 , , March 10 , , Detroit , , 3–3 , ,

, , OT , , Osgood , , 10,663 , , 32–19–15 , , 79 , , , - , 67 , , March 12 , , Detroit , , 1–2 , , Anaheim , , , , Vernon , , 17,174 , , 32–20–15 , , 79 , , , - , 68 , , March 15 , , Detroit , , 7–4 , , San Jose , , , , Osgood , , 17,442 , , 33–20–15 , , 81 , , , - , 69 , , March 16 , , Detroit , , 2–4 , ,

, , , , Osgood , , 16,061 , , 33–21–15 , , 81 , , , - , 70 , , March 19 , ,

, , 1–4 , , Detroit , , , , Hodson , , 19,983 , , 34–21–15 , , 83 , , , - , 71 , , March 21 , , Detroit , , 1–3 , , NY Rangers , , , , Osgood , , 18,200 , , 34–22–15 , , 83 , , , - , 72 , , March 23 , , Detroit , , 3–5 , ,

, , , , Hodson , , 22,422 , , 34–23–15 , , 83 , , , - , 73 , , March 26 , , Colorado , , 5–6 , , Detroit , , OT , , Vernon , , 19,983 , , 35–23–15 , , 85 , , , - , 74 , , March 28 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Detroit , , OT , , Vernon , , 19,983 , , 36–23–15 , , 87 , , , - , 75 , , March 30 , , Anaheim , , 1–0 , , Detroit , , OT , , Vernon , , 19,983 , , 36–24–15 , , 87 , , , - , - , 76 , , April 1 , ,

, , 1–1 , , Detroit , , OT , , Vernon , , 19,983 , , 36–24–16 , , 88 , , , - , 77 , , April 3 , ,

, , 2–2 , , Detroit , , OT , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 36–24–17 , , 89 , , , - , 78 , , April 5 , , Detroit , , 4–2 , , Toronto , , , , Osgood , , 15,726 , , 37–24–17 , , 91 , , , - , 79 , , April 8 , , Detroit , , 3–2 , ,

, , OT , , Osgood , , 17,841 , , 38–24–17 , , 93 , , , - , 80 , , April 9 , , Detroit , , 3–3 , ,

, , OT , , Vernon , , 17,099 , , 38–24–18 , , 94 , , , - , 81 , , April 11 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Detroit , , , , Vernon , , 19,983 , , 38–25–18 , , 94 , , , - , 82 , , April 13 , , St. Louis , , 3–1 , , Detroit , , , , Osgood , , 19,983 , , 38–26–18 , , 94 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 16 , , St. Louis , , 2–0 , , Detroit , , , , Vernon , , 0–1 , , , - , 2 , , April 18 , , St. Louis , , 1–2 , , Detroit , , , , Vernon , , 1–1 , , , - , 3 , , April 20 , , Detroit , , 3–2 , , St. Louis , , , , Vernon , , 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , April 22 , , Detroit , , 0–4 , , St. Louis , , , , Vernon , , 2–2 , , , - , 5 , , April 25 , , St. Louis , , 2–5 , , Detroit , , , , Vernon , , 3–2 , , , - , 6 , , April 27 , , Detroit , , 3–1 , , St. Louis , , , , Vernon , , 4–2 , , , - , - , 1 , , May 2 , , Anaheim , , 1–2 , , Detroit , , OT , , Vernon , , 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , May 4 , , Anaheim , , 2–3 , , Detroit , , 3OT , , Vernon , , 2–0 , , , - , 3 , , May 6 , , Detroit , , 5–2 , , Anaheim , , , , Vernon , , 3–0 , , , - , 4 , , May 8 , , Detroit , , 3–2 , , Anaheim , , 2OT , , Vernon , , 4–0 , , , - , - , 1 , , May 15 , , Detroit , , 1–2 , , Colorado , , , , Vernon , , 0–1 , , , - , 2 , , May 17 , , Detroit , , 4–2 , , Colorado , , , , Vernon , , 1–1 , , , - , 3 , , May 19 , , Colorado , , 1–2 , , Detroit , , , , Vernon , , 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , May 22 , , Colorado , , 0–6 , , Detroit , , , , Vernon , , 3–1 , , , - , 5 , , May 24 , , Detroit , , 0–6 , , Colorado , , , , Vernon , , 3–2 , , , - , 6 , , May 26 , , Colorado , , 1–3 , , Detroit , , , , Vernon , , 4–2 , , , - , - , 1 , , May 31 , , Detroit , , 4–2 , , Philadelphia , , , , Vernon , , 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , June 3 , , Detroit , , 4–2 , , Philadelphia , , , , Vernon , , 2–0 , , , - , 3 , , June 5 , , Philadelphia , , 1–6 , , Detroit , , , , Vernon , , 3–0 , , , - , 4 , , June 7 , , Philadelphia , , 1–2 , , Detroit , , , , Vernon , , 4–0 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C =

Center Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics *Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentrici ...

; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; LW =

Left wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

'' * '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Red Wings only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Red Wings only.''

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

was the runner-up for the

James Norris Memorial Trophy The James Norris Memorial Trophy, or simply the Norris Trophy, is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's top " defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position". It is named after Ja ...

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Signings

Waivers

Retirement

Draft picks

Detroit's picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft.1996 NHL Entry Draft Result
hockeydb.com
/ref> ;Notes # The Red Wings acquired this pick as the result of a trade on April 4, 1995 that sent

Mike Sillinger Michael John Sillinger (born June 29, 1971) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 17 seasons. Sillinger played for 12 teams and was traded nine times during his NHL career, both of ...

and Jason York to Anaheim in exchange for

Stu Grimson Stuart Grimson (born May 20, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Grimson played in the National Hockey League from 1989 to 2002. During this time, he played for the Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Mighty Ducks of Anahe ...

Mark Ferner Mark E. Ferner (born September 5, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Ferner was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. Selected 194th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, Ferner also played for the Washin ...

and this pick. * The Red Wings third-round pick went to the

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

as the result of a trade on August 17, 1995 that sent David Shaw to Tampa Bay in exchange for this pick (80th overall). ::Tampa Bay previously acquired this pick as the result of a trade on August 17, 1995 that sent

Marc Bergevin Marc Bergevin (born August 11, 1965) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. He is currently senior advisor to the general manager of the Los Angeles Kings. Bergevin played as a defenceman in the NHL. Playing career As ...

and

Ben Hankinson Benjamin John Hankinson (born May 1, 1969) is an American former professional ice hockey right winger. Playing career Hankinson played 43 games in the National Hockey League for the New Jersey Devils and Tampa Bay Lightning between 1993 and 19 ...

to Detroit in exchange for

Shawn Burr Shawn Christopher Burr (July 1, 1966 – August 5, 2013) was a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger. Burr played in the NHL for parts of 16 seasons from 1985 to 2000. Playing career Burr was drafted in the first round (seventh overall) b ...

and this pick.

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 Detroit Red Wings Season Stanley Cup championship seasons D Detroit Red Wings seasons Western Conference (NHL) championship seasons

1997 Stanley Cup 1996 in Detroit 1997 in Detroit