Who Wore it Best: Red Wings’ Best Players By Number – The Hockey Writers – Red Wings History

As one of the most storied franchises in the history of the NHL, the Detroit Red Wings have also had numerous players who are in the history books and are some of the most well-known in the history of the league.

These players have helped the organization to a total of 11 Stanley Cups and have won numerous individual awards. But what number did they wear and who wore them the best?

#1 Terry Sawchuk

Terry Sawchuk played a total of 14 seasons with the Red Wings in three stops in Detroit. In his time with the team, he became known as one of the best goalies in the NHL and is still considered one of them to this day. During his time with the Red Wings, he totaled 350 wins, a 2.44 goals-against average (GAA), and 85 shutouts in 734 games. His 734 games, 350 wins, and 85 shutouts rank number one in Red Wings history. He also ranks second in team history with 85 games played, 46 wins and 11 shutouts in the playoffs. He helped lead the team to three Stanley Cups as well (1952, 1954 and 1955).

Sawchuk also won the 1950 Calder Trophy as the top rookie in the league while winning the Vezina Trophy for top goaltender three times in his career with Detroit. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971 and later had his number retired by the organization in 1994.

#2 Gary Bergman

In parts of eleven seasons with the Red Wings, Gary Bergman played in 706 games, with 60 goals, 243 assists and 303 total points. All three rank him in the top 10 all-time for Red Wings defensemen. He was also an All-Star in the 1973 season with the Red Wings.

#3 Marcel Pronovost

Marcel Pronovost spent 15 seasons in a Red Wings jersey in the 1960s and ’70s, totaling 80 goals and 217 assists for 297 total points. His 80 goals rank him fourth all-time for Red Wings defensemen, while his 217 assists and 297 points sit him at number five on the all-time list. He also ranks number two with 983 games played as a Red Wings defenseman.

He was also a four-time Stanley Cup winner as a Red Wing and was a 10-time All-Star as well. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.

#4 Red Kelly

One of the first “dominant” Red Wings defensemen, Red Kelly played for the Red Wings from 1947 to 1960. In that time, he played a total of 846 games with 162 goals, 310 assists and 472 points in the regular season. He was an all-star from 1950-1958, a four-time Stanley Cup champion. He also won the Norris Trophy for best defenseman in the NHL in the 1953-1954…