Detroit Red Wings: Retired Jerseys

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If you look up into the rafters at Joe Louis Arena, you'll see six banners hanging in honor of some of the club's greatest players. #9 - Gordie Howe #12 - Sid Abel #7 - Ted Lindsay #10 - Alex Delvecchio #1 - Terry Sawchuck #19 - Steve Yzerman A scarcely known fact is that there are also three other numbers that the Detroit hockey club has retired, but does not have banners in the arena to honor the players who wore them. First, and understandably so, is Wayne Gretzky's #99. The number was retired league wide after he finished his career. Second, and most recently, #16. Vladimir Konstantinov. He was bound for greatness and was probably the most feared defenseman in the league until a car accident ended his career and nearly took his life. Third, and probably someone who none of today's fans would remember, #6. Larry Aurie. This was one of the first players to really excel while sporting the winged wheel. He was part of the first all-star team, and played a huge role in the first two Stanley Cup Championships that Detroit won. His number was retired by James Norris, but unretired by the Illitch ownership. Even though Illitch won't recognize Aurie as a retired number, his #6 has not been worn by any Detroit players since the original 1939 announcement.