Alex Delvecchio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alex Delvecchio |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hockey Hall of Fame, 1977 | |||
Delvecchio with the Detroit Red Wings in the 1960s
|
|||
| Born | December 4, 1931 Fort William, Ontario, Canada |
||
| Died | July 1, 2025 (aged 93) Rochester, Michigan, U.S. |
||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre, left Wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Detroit Red Wings | ||
| Playing career | 1951–1973 | ||
Alex Delvecchio (born December 4, 1931 – died July 1, 2025) was a famous Canadian ice hockey player. He was also a coach and general manager. Alex spent his whole playing career with the Detroit Red Wings team.
He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1951 to 1973. During this time, he played 1,549 games. He also scored 1,281 points. When he stopped playing, he was second in NHL history for games played. He was also second in assists and total points.
Alex won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy three times. This award is for players who show great sportsmanship. He also helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup three times. Alex is one of only three NHL players to play over 1,500 games for just one team. The other two, Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidström, also played for the Red Wings.
After he retired as a player in 1973, Alex became the Red Wings' head coach. In 1974, he also became the team's general manager. He held both jobs until 1977. Alex Delvecchio was added to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977. In 2017, he was named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" ever. He was the last living player from the Red Wings' Stanley Cup winning teams of 1952, 1954, and 1955.
Contents
Playing Career Highlights
Alex Delvecchio started his hockey journey in 1950-51. He played for the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA). That year, he led the league in assists. He played his first NHL game on March 25, 1951. It was against the Montreal Canadiens.
In the 1951–52 NHL season, he played a few games for a minor league team. This team was the Indianapolis Capitals. Then, he joined the Red Wings full-time. He helped the team win the Stanley Cup that same year.
Alex was great at playing both centre and left wing. He played for 22 full seasons. He was a key part of the famous "Production Line". This was a strong line of players with Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay.
Alex was known for almost always playing. In the 1956–57 NHL season, he broke his ankle. He missed 22 games. But after that, he rarely missed a game. He only missed 14 games over the next 16 seasons.
Alex Delvecchio played more games for one team than almost anyone else. Only Nicklas Lidström played more games for a single team in NHL history. Alex was never the top scorer for the Red Wings in a season. This was mainly because Gordie Howe was also on the team. The closest he came was in the 1969–70 NHL season. He was only three points behind Howe that year.
Life After Playing Hockey
After he stopped playing in 1973, Alex Delvecchio coached the Detroit Red Wings. He also worked as their general manager. He left hockey in 1977 to start his own business. His company, Alex Delvecchio Enterprises, made plaques and signs.
Alex was an "Honored Member" of the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association. He helped them raise money for children's charities. When he retired, he was second only to Howe in many Red Wings records. Later, Steve Yzerman passed him in points and goals. Nicklas Lidström passed him in assists. But Alex is still third in games played for the Red Wings.
Personal Life
Alex Delvecchio had family roots from both Slovakia and Italy. His mother's parents were immigrants from Slovakia.
Alex Delvecchio passed away at his home in Rochester, Michigan. He was 93 years old.
Achievements and Awards
- He is third all-time in games played for the Red Wings. Only Nicklas Lidström and Gordie Howe played more.
- When he retired, he held the record for most games played with only one team. Lidstrom passed him in 2012. But Alex still holds the record for forwards.
- He won the Stanley Cup with Detroit in 1952, 1954, and 1955.
- He was named a Second Team All-Star twice. Once in 1953 (as a centre) and again in 1959 (as a left wing).
- He played in the All-Star Game 13 times. Only six other players have played in more.
- He was the team captain for 12 years. Only Steve Yzerman served longer.
- As of 2025, he is 16th all-time in NHL history for games played. He is 39th in points scored.
- He is third in points and goals for the Red Wings. He is fourth in assists.
- In 1998, The Hockey News ranked him number 82 on their list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.
- His jersey number 10 was retired by the Red Wings on November 10, 1991. This means no other player can wear that number for the team.
- On October 16, 2008, the Red Wings showed a statue of him. It was made by artist Omri R. Amrany.
- In January 2017, he was named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" in history.
See also
- List of Detroit Red Wings award winners
- List of ice hockey line nicknames
- List of NHL players with 1000 points
- List of NHL players with 1000 games played
- List of NHL players who spent their entire career with one franchise
- Production line (hockey)
- List of Detroit Red Wings general managers
- List of Detroit Red Wings head coaches
