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Detroit Cougars Team Formation
During a subsequent meeting on May 15, the league approved a franchise to the Townsend-Seyburn group of Detroit and named Charles A. Hughes as governor. Frank and Lester Patrick, the owners of the WHL, made a deal to sell the league’s players to the NHL and cease league operations. The new Detroit franchise purchased the players of the folded Victoria Cougars (Winner of the 1925 Stanley Cup) WHL club to play for the team. The new Detroit franchise also adopted the Cougars’ nickname in honor of the folded franchise.
Founded in 1926, the team was known as the Detroit Cougars from then until 1930.
Established
1926
City
Detroit
League History
1926 – Present / National Hockey League
Team History
1932 – Present / Detroit Red Wings
1930 – 1932 / Detroit Falcons
1926 – 1930 / Detroit Cougars
Nickname
Cougars – The new Detroit franchise purchased players of the folded Victoria Cougars. The new Detroit franchise also adopted the Cougars’ nickname in honor of the folded franchise.
Championship
Stanley Cups 0
2008, 2002, 1998, 1997, 1955, 1954, 1952, 1950, 1943, 1937, 1936
Arena
2017 – Present / Little Caesars Arena
1979 – 2016 / Joe Louis Arena
1927 – 1979 / Detroit Olympia
*Ontario*
1926 – 1927 / Windsor Arena
Owner
2018 – Present / Ilitch Holdings
1982 – 2017 / Mike Ilitch
1955 – 1982 / Bruce Norris
1952 – 1955 / Marguerite Norris
1933 – 1952 / James E. Norris
1931 – 1933 / Creditors’ Committee
1926 – 1931 / Charles A. Hughes
Retired Number
1 Terry Sawchuk
5 Nicklas Lidstrom
7 Ted Lindsay
9 Gordie Howe
10 Alex Delvecchio
12 Sid Abel
19 Steve Yzerman
99 Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history