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Red Wings Say Latest Cup Is A Unique Achievement

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A Tribune wire report

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 6, 2008

DETROIT - The result was familiar.

For the fourth time in 11 seasons, the Detroit Red Wings hoisted the Stanley Cup.

The sights, sounds and context were much different than the other three titles.

Players celebrated with their children, some of whom weren't born when Detroit won back-to-back titles a decade ago, in a champagne-soaked and screaming-filled dressing room.

Third-year coach Mike Babcock enjoyed a victorious walk down a hallway at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh with his daughters and son, ages 15 to 11, then sipped beer that probably tasted just as sweet as a bit of the bubbly.

"To have your name on the Stanley Cup, pretty special," Babcock said.

The man who signs the checks - owner Mike Ilitch - and the one who distributes the millions - General Manager Ken Holland - agreed that this Cup was uniquely significant.

"Even with a salary cap, we proved we could adjust," Ilitch said after he stepped off the ice following the postgame celebration. "And our Europeans proved they were tough enough, so I don't think we'll be hearing about our team being soft anymore."

Holland does not have to hear he's fortunate to run a team that outspends the competition as Detroit did before an NHL salary cap was created three years ago thanks to the lockout.

"It's a special championship because in a cap world, everybody in the league is on equal footing," Holland said. "Everybody thought we used to win because we spent the most money, but we've always drafted and developed players and that is really paying off now."

PARADE TODAY: Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick says the city will celebrate the Red Wings' Stanley Cup with a parade today. It's scheduled to start at 11 a.m. and will end with a rally downtown at Hart Plaza.

CUP RATINGS UP: Television ratings for the decisive game of the Stanley Cup finals were double the last Game 6 in 2006. Detroit's clinching victory against Pittsburgh on Wednesday night drew a 4.4 overnight rating and a 7 share on NBC. Game 6 between Edmonton and Carolina two years ago earned a 2.2.

HALPERN'S SURGERY A SUCCESS: Lightning center Jeff Halpern underwent successful surgery Wednesday to repair a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, a partial rupture of the medial collateral ligament and a small tear to the lateral meniscus in his right knee, General Manager Jay Feaster announced. Rehabilitation and recovery is expected to last five to six months.

WESLEY RETIRES: Carolina defenseman Glen Wesley is retiring after 20 NHL seasons. The Hurricanes said Thursday that Wesley would move into the front office as the team's director of development for defensemen. The team will retire his No. 2 jersey next season.

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