Detroit Red Wings legend, Alex Delvecchio, didn’t learn to skate until he was twelve years old. That’s a remarkably late age for any Canadian boy — let alone one who would become one of hockey’s greatest players.
Delvecchio played for the Wings from 1951 through 1974. He holds the NHL records for seasons played and games played in a career spent with only one team. His name appears three times on the Stanley Cup for the years 1952, 1954 and 1955. He played in an amazing thirteen All-Star Games: 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1967 — a total surpassed by only five players.
Delvecchio was the Red Wings’ team captain for twelve years, a mark surpassed only by Steve Yzerman. He ranks second in Red Wings’ history in games played and third in points, goals and assists. He remains 8th all-time in NHL history in games played and 27th in points scored.
Delvecchio was the third man in the Red Wings incredible “Production Line” along with Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay. The Red Wings retired Delvecchio’s number 10 in 1991 — and it will forever hang in their rafters.
You’ll enjoy this interview with him as he shares stories from his childhood and his playing days. What a class act.