Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings were a powerhouse in the first half of the 1950s, finishing first during the regular season in each of the six seasons between 1949‐50 and 1954‐55 and winning the Stanley Cup in 1950 against the Rangers and then in 1952, 1954 and 1955 while facing Montreal.

The Red Wings were led by the powerful Production Line of Ted Lindsay, Sid Abel and Gordie Howe. The trio finished one‐two‐three in league scoring in 1949‐50. In 1950‐51, Howe won the first of four consecutive scoring championships, earning the Art Ross Trophy. The offence was wonderfully paired with a defence that included Red Kelly and Marcel Pronovost on the blueline and Terry Sawchuk in goal. Behind the bench was Tommy Ivan, while Jack Adams managed the squad. The Detroit Red Wings continued to ice a very strong team even after their Stanley Cup win in 1955, but their string of championships was brought to a halt by the Montreal Canadiens, who began their own dynasty in 1956 with five consecutive Stanley Cup championships. It would be 42 years before Detroit would next celebrate with the Stanley Cup.

The Red Wings dynasty was loaded with Hall of Famers. Included in their four Stanley Cup wins were the Production Line trio of Sid Abel (1969), Gordie Howe (1972) and Ted Lindsay (1966). Abel was replaced on the Production Line by Alex Delvecchio (1977). Red Kelly (1969) and Marcel Pronovost (1978) were joined on defence by 'Black Jack' Stewart (1964) as well as Keith Allen and Al Arbour. Allen and Arbour would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Builder category; Allen in 1992 and Arbour in 1996. Tommy Ivan (1974, Builder Category) coached Detroit for the first three of their championships. Jack Adams, inducted as a player in 1959, was general manager of the Red Wings through their dynasty years.