Fansided

Carolina Hurricanes fan homage to Joe Louis Arena

By Eric D. Cox |
Apr 9, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Fans wait outside to enter the Joe Louis Arena prior to the game between the Detroit Red Wings and the New Jersey Devils, this is the last Wings' game being played at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Fans wait outside to enter the Joe Louis Arena prior to the game between the Detroit Red Wings and the New Jersey Devils, this is the last Wings' game being played at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings fans along with past and present players and coaches and VIP raise their sticks and say farewell after the game against the New Jersey Devils at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings won 4-1 in their last game at the Joe. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings fans along with past and present players and coaches and VIP raise their sticks and say farewell after the game against the New Jersey Devils at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings won 4-1 in their last game at the Joe. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Hard Times

In the past year, the Red Wings organization has been bleeding from within.  The declining performance of the team.  A team expected to continue carrying a 25 year playoff streak.  Then the death of Detroit’s iconic patriarch Gordie Howe.  Although all DRW fans knew someday it was inevitable Gordie would pass, it was still like losing your grandfather.

Nov 26, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; A statue of Hall of Fame player Gordie Howe is seen inside the arena before the start of the Detroit Red Wings game against the Montreal Canadiens at Joe Louis Arena. Howe passed away earlier this year. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; A statue of Hall of Fame player Gordie Howe is seen inside the arena before the start of the Detroit Red Wings game against the Montreal Canadiens at Joe Louis Arena. Howe passed away earlier this year. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Next came maybe the hardest and most shocking change to the organization.  The Death of Mike Illitch.  For Detroit fans losing Mr. I was something that rocked them to their core.  Mr Illich bought the Dead Wings and on his first day promised to make them an elite NHL team. Mr I, changed everything for hockey fans in Detroit.  Even to this day there are college grads who have never known a DRW team not being in the playoffs.  Well, until now.

Feb 15, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; A card for Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch is on display prior to the game between the Detroit Red Wings and the St. Louis Blues at Joe Louis Arena. Mike Ilitch passed away February 10, 2017. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; A card for Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch is on display prior to the game between the Detroit Red Wings and the St. Louis Blues at Joe Louis Arena. Mike Ilitch passed away February 10, 2017. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Streak is Over

Which leads to my next point.  The 25 year playoff streak is over. The time I have spent in NC is the same amount of years.  Hence I have joked many of times that maybe I was the jinx.  Once I left the Wings get good, it’s a factual statement?  Come on, how many of you at times haven’t thought you were the one that jinxed your favorite team? But to be honest, the end was coming and over the last couple of years we all saw it coming.

A Time for Healing

Then comes the closing of the JOE.  Although everyone knew it was coming it was the finally act before the healing process could start.  I actually have from time to time checked in to the live camera action of the construction over the past two years. http://www.districtdetroit.com. Much like the change in Edmonton (although the DRWs don’t get any generational draft pick), the time has come. The Joe Louis Arena is the second oldest building in the NHL to Madison Square Garden. It was time for it to go.  It’s fate will be demolishment and a new hotel, residential and retail complex. All to support the Cobo Hall Arena and Convention Center.  http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/detroits-joe-louis-arena-set-to-be-demolished-in-2017/

The Final Word

So that’s it, the once proud and maybe too cocky DRW fan rock bottom moment.  The last time anyone was able to throw an octipie (Detroiter slang for octopus) out onto the ice. The last time anyone will walk the hallowed halls of Joe Louis and see all the Little Caesar pizza signs.  Sure they will be relocating the monuments, banners “Don’t stop believin’ ” journey CD and Stanley Cups.  But there will never be another concrete monster like Joe Louis Arena again.

Goodbye JOE and thanks for the Memories…

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