Marian Hossa’s time with the Detroit Red Wings was certainly brief, but no one can deny that it was also quite memorable. Signed as an unrestricted free agent, he would be leading the team in goal scoring as the reigning Stanley Cup champion Red Wings were making a return visit to the Stanley Cup final.
This time, though, the Pittsburgh Penguins – losing finalists and Hossa’s team the spring prior – win the Cup final series in seven games over Detroit. When Hossa was making the decision that summer to leave the Red Wings, signing as a UFA with the Chicago Blackhawks, it was not well received in Hockeytown.
For years, Red Wings fans would relentlessly boo Hossa during his return visits to Detroit wearing the jersey of the rival Blackhawks. However, the three Stanley Cups Hossa won while in Chicago likely was softening the blow of that verbal abuse.
Almost 15 years later, appearances are that all is forgiven. Nine former Red Wings players were among those feting Hossa with a farewell match on Friday in Trencin, Slovakia.
Joining Hossa for testimonial match as part of a who’s-who of hockey were Nicklas Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, Daniel Alfredsson, Tomas Holmstrom, Petr Mrazek, Tomas Kopecky, Jiri Hudler, Tomas Tatar and Andreas Lilja.
Red Wings Got Money’s Worth From Hossa
During his one campaign in Detroit, Hossa would score a team-leading 40 goals. He remains the most recent 40-goal scorer in franchise history.
Among others who were skating in the game to honor Hossa’s Hall of Fame career were Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Zdeno Chara, Martin Havlat, Ziggy Palffy, Teuvo Teravainen, Michal Handzus, Jaroslav Halak, Miroslav Satan and Marian’s brother Marcel Hossa. In total there were 41 Stanley Cup wins on the ice.
Marian Hossa’s NHL career would end suddenly following the 2016-17 season due to a rare skin condition. His finishing totals as an NHLer were 525 goals and 1,134 points from 1,309 career games.
In 2020, Hossa was earning enshrinement to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Last season, the Blackhakws were opting to retire his No. 81 jersey.
More must-reads: