Back to the Detroit Red Wings Newsfeed

Road to Stanleytown: Mike Vernon's magical 1997 Red Wings playoff ride just beginning

Special to Detroit Free Press

In the spring of 1997 — a quarter-century ago — the Detroit Red Wings embarked on their quest to end a 42-year Stanley Cup drought.

The Free Press has commemorated that historic quest with a new book: “Stanleytown: The Inside Story of How the Stanley Cup Returned to the Motor City After 41 Frustrating Seasons.”

Day 28: May 13, 1997

The backstory: With the opener of the Western Conference finals two days away, the Red Wings held their final practice at Joe Louis Arena and flew to Denver.