Days after an opening night beset by booing and "Sell the team! chants, Detroit Red Wings owner Christopher Ilitch responded via social media.
In a message posted on his LinkedIn page, Ilitch addressed the fan disenchantment with the franchise, made vocal \on the evening of Friday, Oct. 2 – and then again, two days later – during games at Little Caesars Arena.
"I recognize fan frustrations," Ilitch wrote. "I get it and certainly feel the same. Like our city, the Red Wings have experienced incredible triumphs and faced difficult challenges but have always met them with grit and determination.
"As the franchise begins its 101st season, I remain focused on building the championship-level organization that our Red Wings family and fans deserve."
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Ilitch began his missive with a nod to the franchise's history – it was in fall of 1926 a hockey club, then named the Cougars, arrived in Detroit. (They were eventually renamed the Red Wings after being purchased by James E. Norris in 1932.)
"Opening night in the NHL is always something special," Ilitch wrote. "And Friday night, as our Detroit Red Wings began a new season at Little Caesars Arena, Hockeytown showed up," Ilitch wrote. "A century of hockey, and more Stanley Cup wins than any other American NHL team, only happens with dedication and resilience. That Red Wings spirit is a constant through the seasons, from the coaches and players to the arena staff —like our incredible Ice Crew and broadcasters — and of course, generations of fans. I enjoyed visiting with many of them before the game to thank them for their part in our story and continuing it forward."
The "Sell the team!" chants come at a time of turmoil seen by the franchise since Ilitch's parents, Mike and Marian Ilitch, bought the club in 1982 from Bruce Norris (James' son), who had run it into the ground. Even during the pandemic years, when the Wings were showing the effects of having used first-round picks to stoke their 25-season playoff streak that lasted from 1991-2016, there was never this level of fan outrage. It comes after a summer during which then-captain Dylan Larkin requested a trade, Steve Yzerman was ousted in mid-July as general manager, and the 2026-27 season began with restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson unsigned. (He has since indicated he would prefer, like Larkin, to be traded.)
The Wings next play at home against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday (7 p.m., Detroit SportsNet), as part of a season-opening stretch that features seven of their first eight games at LCA.
Contact Helene St. James at Hstjames@freepress.com.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Christopher Ilitch responds to Detroit Red Wings fan outrage
