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Stadium:
Joe Louis Arena
Joe Louis Arena, nicknamed Hockeytown, The Joe, and JLA, is a hockey arena located at 600 Civic Center Drive in Detroit, Michigan. It is the home of the National Hockey League franchise, the Detroit Red Wings. Completed in 1979 at a cost of $57 million, Joe Louis Arena is named after boxer and former heavyweight champion, Joe Louis, who grew up in Detroit. In the arena's first season it hosted the NHL All-Star Game, which was played before a then-NHL record crowd of 21,002 and was made memorable when Gordie Howe of the Hartford Whalers was introduced on the Wales Conference line-up and received a ten-minute standing ovation. The 51-year-old Howe had played 25 years in Detroit, was the NHL's all-time leading scorer, and probably the most popular Red Wing of all time.

Seating Chart:
Joe Louis Arena Seating Chart

Team History:
When the Western Canada Hockey League folded after the 1925-26 WHL season, a deal was made, so that a new NHL expansion franchise in Detroit bought the rights to the players of one of the most successful of the teams in that league, the 1925 Stanley Cup champion Victoria Cougars. However, the NHL does not consider the Red Wings to be a continuation of the Victoria team. Since no arena in "Motown" was ready at the time, the new Detroit Cougars (named in Victoria's honor) played their first season in Canada at the Border Cities Arena. For the 1927-28 season, the Cougars moved into the new Detroit Olympia, which would be their home rink until December 15, 1979. This was also the first season behind the bench for Jack Adams, who would be the face of the franchise for the next 36 years as either coach or general manager.

Season Preview:
The Detroit Red Wings used to possess such a swagger that opponents often felt as though they were down a goal from the opening faceoff, home or away. Now, in year two of the new NHL, it appears the Wings are looking at more stagger than swagger, and, in the case of octogenarian defenseman Chris Chelios, just plain totter. We're not suggesting the Red Wings could go from the Presidents' Trophy to out of the playoffs in one swoop, but the decline many thought would begin last season will be in full evidence in 2006-07. Caught between the past and the future, the Wings will struggle to replace the leadership void caused by the retirement of captain Steve Yzerman and the departure of 40-goal man Brendan Shanahan. They will also suffer in goal with the arrival of the enigmatic (some would say cancerous) Dominik Hasek for a third go-round. After three straight disappointing postseason turns, the Wings will start to feel the pinch during the regular season.

Official Site:
http://redwings.nhl.com/default.jsp