DETROIT – From the moment the Detroit Red Wings announced their plans to retire Sergei Fedorov’s iconic No. 91 jersey, fans couldn’t help but wonder -- what took them so long?
Fedorov’s list of accomplishments is nothing short of legendary.
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015, Sergei Fedorov spent 13 of his 18 NHL seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, who drafted him from Russia in 1989.
After defecting from the Soviet Union in 1990, Fedorov embarked on an illustrious career, scoring 483 goals and amassing 1,179 points in 1,248 regular-season games.
He won three Stanley Cup championships with Detroit in 1997, 1998, and 2002, earned two Selke Trophies as the NHL’s top defensive forward, and was awarded the Hart Trophy in 1994 as league MVP.
Alongside Steve Yzerman, Fedorov is one of the only players in franchise history to achieve multiple 100-point seasons.
With such an impressive resume, the decision to retire his number seems like a no-brainer.
However, Fedorov’s journey with the Red Wings wasn’t without its challenges. After the 1996-97 Stanley Cup win, Fedorov entered a contract holdout as a restricted free agent.
The Carolina Hurricanes presented him with a lucrative offer sheet, which the Red Wings matched, costing the team millions.
In 2003, Fedorov had the chance to become the NHL’s highest-paid player with a $10 million per season offer from the Red Wings. After months of deliberation, he chose to sign with the Anaheim Ducks instead — a decision he later regretted, admitting he should have stayed with Detroit.
Despite the ups and downs, time has healed old wounds. Fedorov’s No. 91 will be raised to the rafters on January 12, with the Hurricanes fittingly as the opposition.
“I’m extremely grateful for this tremendous honor,” Fedorov said. “Thank you to everyone with the Red Wings organization, especially those who helped bring me to Detroit and gave me the chance to play for such a historic franchise. I was fortunate to be part of some unforgettable teams, and above all, I’m proud of the three Stanley Cup championships we won for our amazing fans in Hockeytown.”
For Red Wings fans, this is a moment to celebrate Fedorov’s incredible contributions to the team and the sport.
His number will finally be where it belongs — up in the rafters, alongside the legends of Detroit hockey.