The last surviving star from Detroit’s greatest sports dynasty, Alex Delvecchio helped the Red Wings reach the pinnacle in the 1950s, struggled mightily as they hit bottom in the 1970s, and segued into an elder statesman with a retired number, a bronze statue and ceremonial roles celebrating the franchise’s renaissance in the 1990s.
Always popular among fans, players and press, universally heralded as one of the NHL’s 100 greatest players but always considered underrated by his peers, and a three-time Lady Byng winner on the ice but a lifelong Lady Byng winner off the ice, Delvecchio died Tuesday, July 1, surrounded by his family at age 93, the team announced Tuesday.
The team issued a statement from Delvecchio’s family on Tuesday:
“Alex was more than a Hockey icon, he was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, cherished friend, and respected teammate to so many. While the world knew him as an incredible hockey player with numerous accomplishments on the ice, we knew him as someone whose humility, strength, competitiveness, kindness and heart were even greater than his professional achievements. For decades, your love and support meant everything to Alex and to all of us. We are deeply grateful and thankful to everyone.”
Delvecchio’s hockey story parallels the nearly 100-year story of the Red Wings franchise. Delvecchio’s mentor played in the first game at the Old Red Barn on Grand River and Delvecchio’s statue sparkles at the state-of-the-art arena on Woodward. He had ties to the earliest days of Detroit’s franchise, when it was owned by a grain and shipping magnate, and he relished its rebirth as Hockeytown, when it was owned by a pizza baron.
If not for Gordie Howe, his legendary linemate known as Mr. Hockey, Delvecchio could have been Mr. Red Wing:
Only Howe played in Detroit longer than Delvecchio’s 24 seasons.
Only Steve Yzerman was a captain in Detroit longer than Delvecchio’s 12 seasons.
Only Nicklas Lidstrom played more games in a career spent with a single NHL franchise than Delvecchio’s 1,550.
And only Howe had more points in NHL history when Delvecchio retired in 1973.
“When you think of the Red Wings, you think of Howe,” future Hall of Fame center Phil Esposito told Sport magazine in 1971. “But Alex is the most underrated player in the game today — underrated by everyone but the players.”
Delvecchio was approaching his 40th birthday at time.
Late in the 1964-65 season, his 15th in the NHL, Delvecchio recorded a point in 17 consecutive games, a Wings record until Yzerman broke it 23 years later.
“He’s like a magician with the puck,” goaltender Eddie Giacomin said during a Hall of Fame career.
This story will be updated.