Alex Delvecchio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alex Delvecchio |
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| Hockey Hall of Fame, 1977 | |||
Delvecchio with the Detroit Red Wings in the 1960s
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| Born | December 4, 1931 Fort William, Ontario, Canada |
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| 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) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was also a coach and general manager. Delvecchio spent his entire playing career with the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League (NHL).
He played for the Red Wings from 1951 to 1973. During this time, he played in 1,549 games and scored 1,281 points. When he retired, he was second in NHL history for games played, assists, and total points. Alex Delvecchio won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy three times. This award is given for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct. He also helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup three times.
Delvecchio is one of only three NHL players to play at least 1,500 games for just one team. The other two, Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidström, also played for the Red Wings. After retiring as a player in 1973, Delvecchio became the Red Wings' head coach. He was also named the team's general manager in 1974. He held both jobs until 1977. Delvecchio was added to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977. In 2017, he was named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" in history.
Alex Delvecchio is the last living member of the Red Wings teams that won the Stanley Cup in 1952, 1954, and 1955.
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Playing Career: A Red Wings Legend
In the 1950-51 season, Delvecchio played for the Oshawa Generals. This team was part of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA). He led that league in assists that year. He played his first NHL game on March 25, 1951. It was against the Montreal Canadiens, the Red Wings' last game of the season.
Joining the Red Wings Full-Time
In the 1951–52 season, he played six games for the Indianapolis Capitals. This was a minor league team in the American Hockey League (AHL). He scored nine points there before joining the Red Wings full-time. He helped the team win the Stanley Cup that very year!
Delvecchio was excellent playing both centre and left wing. He played for 22 full seasons. He was famous for being part of the "Production Line." This was a powerful line with his teammates Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay.
Staying Healthy and Setting Records
In the 1956–57 season, Delvecchio broke his ankle. He missed 22 games because of it. But after that, he rarely missed a game. He only missed 14 games over the next 16 seasons!
In NHL history, only Nicklas Lidström has played more games for just one team. Even though Delvecchio had an amazing career, he was never the Red Wings' top scorer 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 for the team lead that year.
Post-Playing Career: Coach and Manager
After he stopped playing in 1973, Alex Delvecchio became the head coach for the Detroit Red Wings. He coached the team two times. He also worked as the general manager until 1977. After leaving hockey, he went into business.
Delvecchio is an "Honored Member" of the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association. He helps them raise money for children's charities in Metro Detroit. When he retired, he was second only to Gordie Howe in almost all scoring records for the Red Wings. Later, Steve Yzerman passed him in most of those records. Nicklas Lidström also passed him in assists. But Delvecchio is still third in games played as a Red Wing, behind Howe and Lidström.
Honors and Recognition
- His jersey number 10 was retired on November 10, 1991. This means no other Red Wings player will wear that number.
- On October 16, 2008, the Red Wings showed a special statue made for him. It was created by artist Omri R. Amrany.
Achievements
- 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 by a player who stayed with only one team. Nicklas Lidström passed this record in 2012, but Delvecchio 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 in 1953 (as a centre) and 1959 (as a left wing).
- He played in the All-Star Game 13 times. Only six other players have played in more All-Star Games.
- He was the team captain for twelve years. Only Steve Yzerman was captain for longer.
- He is still 11th all-time in NHL history for games played. He is also 27th in points scored.
- He is third in points and goals, and fourth in assists, in Red Wings history.
- In 1998, The Hockey News ranked him number 82 on their list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.
- 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
