RED WINGS SET FRANCHISE RECORD BY EARNING 21st CONSECUTIVE PLAYOFF BERTH

Detroit, MI… The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets by a score of 7-2 at Joe Louis Arena earlier tonight, securing a spot in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs in the process. Detroit has now earned a franchise-record 21 consecutive post-season berths, a mark which also stands as the longest active streak in all of North American major professional sports.

MOST CONSECUTIVE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF APPEARANCES, NHL HISTORY:
29 Boston Bruins, 1968-96
28 Chicago Blackhawks, 1970-97
25 St. Louis Blues, 1980-2004
24 Montréal Canadiens, 1971-94
21 Detroit Red Wings, 1991-present
21 Montréal Canadiens, 1949-69
20 Detroit Red Wings, 1939-58

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RED WINGS TO SELL FEBRUARY 12TH GAME JERSEYS WITH COMMEMORATIVE LOKOMOTIV PATCH

… Proceeds from Jersey Sales to Benefit Families of Former Red Wings …

Detroit, MI… The Detroit Red Wings have worn a special patch on their jerseys throughout the 2011-12 season in honor of three former Red Wings who were members of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey team (KHL) who died tragically in a plane crash this past September in Russia. The Red Wings announced today its plans to sell the team’s white game-worn jerseys from this Sunday’s home game, Feb. 12, to raise money for the families of the three former Red Wings lost in the Lokomotiv tragedy.

Recognized on the patch are the initials of Brad McCrimmon, the Red Wings Assistant Coach from 2008-2011 and Red Wings defenseman from 1990-1993; Ruslan Salei, Red Wings defenseman last season; and Stefan Liv, who was drafted by the Red Wings in 2000 and was a goaltending prospect from 2000-2007. The patch contains the initials BM*RS*SL in red letters along with a blue stripe. Red and blue are the Lokomotiv team colors.

Each jersey contains a uniquely numbered tag imprinted on the inside, guaranteeing that the jersey is a part of the Red Wings set worn by the club on Feb. 12 and that game only. The tag includes the phrase “Love for Lokomotiv” and a barcode so that the jersey can be tracked. Each jersey remains without an autograph but can be autographed and personalized by the individual player if requested by the purchaser. All purchasers will also receive an 8x10 photograph from the Feb. 12, 2012, game vs. Philadelphia depicting the jersey being worn.

Earlier this season, the team sold its set of red jerseys worn during the season-opener on Oct. 7, 2011, bringing in $15,300 for the families of the three former Red Wings. The white jerseys worn during this Sunday’s game will be available for purchase starting at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 13.

The jerseys are only available directly through the Detroit Red Wings merchandise department. For individual pricing and availability, fans should contact Christi Forgacs, Red Wings Merchandise Authentics Supervisor, at Christi.Forgacs@olyent.com or 313-396-7583.

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LIDSTROM NAMED FINALIST - MARK MESSIER NHL LEADERSHIP AWARD

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CHARA, DOAN, LIDSTROM NAMED FINALISTS
FOR MARK MESSIER NHL LEADERSHIP AWARD PRESENTED BY BRIDGESTONE

NEW YORK (June 6, 2011) – Boston’s Zdeno Chara , Phoenix’s Shane Doan and Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom are the three finalists for the 2010-11 Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award presented by Bridgestone, the National Hockey League announced today. 
The award recognizes an individual as a superior leader in hockey and as a contributing member of society. It honors an individual who leads by positive example through on-ice performance, motivation of team members and a dedication to community activities and charitable causes. 
Mark Messier solicits suggestions from club and League personnel and NHL fans through NHL.com in compiling a list of potential candidates. However, the selection of the three finalists and the ultimate winner is Messier’s alone. 

The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 22, during the 2011 NHL Awards™ that will be broadcast live from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas on VERSUS in the United States and on CBC in Canada (7 p.m. ET). 
Messier, a six-time Stanley Cup® champion and 16-time NHL ® All-Star in his 25 NHL seasons, is widely viewed as one of the greatest sports leaders of all time. Among his numerous hockey and humanitarian honors, one of the most special was the naming of the Mark Messier Skyway at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey for his 15 years of dedication and commitment to help raise millions of dollars to benefit children with cancer and other serious blood disorders. 
Following are the finalists for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award presented by Bridgestone in alphabetical order by last name:
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
Since being named the 18th captain in franchise history to begin the 2006-07 season, Chara has led the Bruins’ steady climb back to the NHL’s elite level and two Northeast Division crowns in the last three years. Despite being among the League’s top 10 in ice time in each of his five seasons as Bruins captain, he has missed a total of only 12 games. A Norris Trophy finalist for the fourth time this season, he won the award in 2008-09. A long-time supporter and contributor to Right to Play, the international program that uses sport to improve the lives of children from disadvantaged areas; Chara this past season also took over the Bruins’ PJ Drive, which collects unused pajamas for local children in need. And he helped bring in unprecedented contributions to the Boston Bruins Cuts for a Cause – including the $1,500 a local restaurant owner bid to shave Chara’s head.
Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes
The last remaining player from the franchise’s days in Winnipeg, Doan has served as Coyotes captain since 2003. In recent seasons, he has kept a young team focused upon achieving unprecedented success even amid uncertainty about the Club’s future in Arizona. The Coyotes have gone a combined 93-51-20 following Doan’s lead the past two seasons. In the Arizona community, Doan has long been considered one of the most selfless professional athletes in a city that is home to four major professional sports teams.  He serves as an ambassador for Coyotes Charities and works with a number of organizations -- including the United Blood Services, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix Rescue Mission, Flashes of Hope and Children First Academy, a kindergarten through eighth grade school for homeless children.
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
One of the greatest defensemen ever to play the position, Lidstrom is a finalist to win his seventh Norris Trophy. Having succeeded Steve Yzerman as Red Wings captain in 2006, he became the first European-born captain to hoist the Stanley Cup in 2007. He ranks fourth all-time on the franchise’s games-played and points lists – first in every major statistical category among defensemen. Lidstrom began this past season by meeting with military veterans at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and visiting Churchill Elementary School as part of the Wings’ Community Relations Tour. Lidstrom also appeared at a local school as part of the Detroit Red Wings Foundation school youth hockey program. He serves as the spokesman for the team’s Breast Cancer Awareness Night and annual trip to Children’s Hospital of Michigan. He was honored recently by the city in which he resides during the season, Novi, for his contributions to the community by re-naming the street outside the local arena to

Nick Lidstrom Drive

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Previous winners of the Mark Messier Leadership Award Presented By Bridgestone
2006-07 – Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings
2007-08 – Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs
2009-08 – Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames
2010-09 – Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

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