[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 18, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5712-S5714]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 287--CONGRATULATING THE DETROIT RED WINGS ON WINNING 
  THE 2002 NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONSHIP AND AGAIN 
                  BRINGING THE CUP HOME TO HOCKEYTOWN

  Mr. LEVIN (for himself and Ms. Stabenow) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 287

       Whereas on June 13, 2002, the Detroit Red Wings (in this 
     resolution referred to as the ``Red Wings'') defeated the 
     Carolina Hurricanes, 3-1, in game 5 of the National Hockey 
     League championship series;
       Whereas this victory marks the Red Wings' 10th Stanley Cup 
     Championship, continuing the team's reign as the most storied 
     American hockey team;
       Whereas this victory marks the Red Wings' third Stanley Cup 
     Championship in the past 6 years, establishing them as one of 
     the great dynasties in the history of the National Hockey 
     League;
       Whereas the Red Wings, who average over 30 years of age, 
     proved once again that talent and experience can triumph over 
     more youthful competition;
       Whereas the Red Wings had the best record in the National 
     Hockey League for the decade of the 1990s as well as this 
     past year;
       Whereas Nicklas Lidstrom, who has anchored the Detroit 
     Defense for 11 years, became the first European-born player 
     to win the Conn Smythe Trophy for the most valuable player in 
     the playoffs;
       Whereas Marian and Mike Ilitch, the owners of the Red Wings 
     and community leaders in Detroit and Michigan, have returned 
     Lord Stanley's Cup to Detroit yet again;
       Whereas the Red Wings, who have played in Detroit since 
     1926, continue to hold a special place in the hearts of all 
     Michiganders;

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       Whereas Detroit, otherwise known as ``Hockeytown, U.S.A.'', 
     is home to the most loyal fans in the world;
       Whereas the Red Wings are indebted to retiring head coach 
     Scotty Bowman, who has brought the Red Wings to the playoffs 
     7 times in the last 8 years and who, with this year's 
     victory, has earned his ninth Stanley Cup victory, surpassing 
     his mentor Toe Blake for the most championships in league 
     history;
       Whereas the Red Wings are fortunate to have the leadership 
     of team captain Steve Yzerman, who along with being one of 
     the most respected athletes in all of sports, completed one 
     of his best seasons ever despite a serious leg injury which 
     will require surgery at the end of the season; and
       Whereas each one of the Red Wings will be remembered on the 
     most illustrious sports trophy, the Stanley Cup, as follows: 
     Pavel Datsyuk, Boyd Devereaux, Kris Draper, Sergei Fedorov, 
     Igor Larionov, Jason Williams, Steve Yzerman, Tomas 
     Holmstrom, Luc Robitaille, Brendan Shanahan, Sean Avery, 
     Ladislav Kohn, Brett Hull, Darren McCarty, Kirk Maltby, Chris 
     Chelios, Mathieu Dandenault, Steve Duchesne, Jiri Fischer, 
     Uwe Krupp, Maxim Kuznetsov, Nicklas Lidstrom, Fredrik 
     Olausson, Jiri Slegr, Jesse Wallin, Dominik Hasek, and Many 
     Legace: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate congratulates the Detroit Red 
     Wings on winning the 2002 National Hockey League Stanley Cup 
     Championship.

  Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, I am submitting today, along with my 
colleague Senator Stabenow, a resolution congratulating the Detroit Red 
Wings, who on June 13th, 2002, defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 to 
win their third Stanley Cup in six years. With this victory, the Wings 
have further solidified their position as one of the most storied teams 
in all sports by bringing Lord Stanley's Cup home to Hockeytown for a 
10th time.
  Few doubted that this year's team could make a run at the Cup. Many 
have argued that this was the greatest hockey roster ever assembled. 
The last names alone evoke hockey greatness. Along with long time stars 
like Yzerman, Fedorov, Lidstrom, and Shanahan, this season's team 
included future hall of famers by the names of Hull, Robitaille, and 
Hasek. It was a team assembled to win, and in the end, that goal was 
reached.
  This is not a story of individual talent, though surely there was a 
surplus of that. This is a story of teamwork and dedication. Despite 
the phenomenal play by Detroit's stars, they would not have succeeded 
had it not been for the contributions of players like Igor Larionov, 
Tomas Holmstrom, Kris Draper, Darren MacCarty and Steve Duchesne. Their 
selfless dedication was exemplified by Duchesne, who sat out only one 
shift, about ten minutes, after losing six teeth to an errant puck.
  During the season many critics claimed that while Detroit had talent, 
the team was too old to endure the grueling playoffs, which last for 
over two months. They claimed that the Wings, who average over 30 years 
of age and have seven players over 35, would succumb to injury or 
fatigue against younger competition. However as the playoffs 
progressed, the team only grew stronger. All questions were put to rest 
in game three of the playoffs when 41 year old Igor Larionov scored two 
goals including the game winner in the third overtime.
  Though the Wings are known for their powerful offense, it was their 
smothering defense which led to their victory. Throughout the playoffs, 
their defense kept the number of scoring chances for the opposing team 
to a bare minimum. The anchor of the Detroit defense was Nicklas 
Lidstrom who averaged over 31 minutes per game throughout the playoffs 
and over 35 minutes during the finals. For his exceptional 
contributions, he was awarded the Conn Smythe trophy as the Most 
Valuable player in the Playoffs.
  Special recognition is also due to the Red Wings Captain, Steve 
Yzerman, who has been the team captain since 1986. During his career in 
the Motor City, this humble star has amassed 175 playoff points, 
besting the great Gordie Howe for the team record. For this year's 
playoffs, Yzerman led the team with 23 points, second in the NHL. Along 
with holding the team record for playoff goals, Stevie, as he is fondly 
known in Detroit, is the motivational leader of the team. When things 
were going poorly in the series against Vancouver, it was Yzerman who 
gave the motivational speech which led to a Wings victory and a tide 
shift in the series--all of this despite a knee which will need 
reconstructive surgery this off-season.
  This victory also marks the end of an era, not only for Detroit, but 
for the NHL. Soon after the game ended, Scotty Bowman, the Red Wings 
coach since 1993, announced his retirement. When Scotty came to Detroit 
nine years ago, we had been without the Cup for nearly four decades. 
However, during his tenure, the Wings made it to the payoffs seven of 
eight years, and won the Stanley Cup three times. With this, his ninth 
Stanley Cup, victory Scotty also surpasses his mentor Toe Blake with 
the most cups in NHL history and joins Red Auerbach and Lakers coach 
Phil Jackson among the coaches with the most championship victories in 
major sports. I join with every Detroiter in saying, ``Thank you 
Scotty.''
  Hockey has long been a second religion in Detroit. I fondly remember 
going to Red Wings games as a kid with my big brother, Sander--
Congressman Levin now--and our mother. Those teams were also filled 
with future hall of famers: Sid Abel, Gordie Howe, Teddy Lindsay. These 
players and other Wings alumni established a winning tradition which 
continues to this day.
  Yesterday, Senator Stabenow and I joined over a million fans in 
congratulating this fantastic team. The celebration was not only an 
outpouring of emotion and a celebration of talent, it was an 
affirmation of Detroit's title as Hockeytown. During the ceremonies, I 
had the opportunity to say thanks and farewell to Scotty Bowman. I also 
had the pleasure of chatting with Stevie Yzerman and his family. I wish 
him a speedy recovery from his surgery. More than anything else, he and 
the rest of the wings have been mentors to our children--along with 
being incredible hockey players on the ice they are charitable public 
citizens and dedicated family members .
  I know my Senate Colleagues will join me and hockey fans around the 
country in congratulating the Red Wings for bringing hockey's ``Holy 
Grail'' back to Hockeytown.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan.
  Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, it was with great joy and excitement 
yesterday that I joined with Senator Levin as we celebrated the Stanley 
Cup win by the Detroit Red Wings. It was a beautiful sunshiny day in 
Detroit, and over a million people came out to join with all of us in 
thanking Scotty Bowman and thanking the entire team for their wonderful 
win again this year. We are so proud, as Senator Levin said, of what 
they do, not only on the ice but off the ice. So it is with great 
pleasure that I join with Senator Levin today in coauthoring this 
resolution of tribute to the Detroit Red Wings.
  As has been said, this is the third time in 6 years the Detroit Red 
Wings have won the Stanley Cup. It is the 10th Stanley Cup in total 
that the Detroit Red Wings have won. We are pleased we are only behind 
the Montreal Canadiens, that have won it 23 times, and the Toronto 
Maple Leaves, that have won it 13 times. They are the only two teams 
that have won more Stanley Cups than our own Detroit Red Wings, of 
which we are so proud.
  We also, yesterday, saw a wonderful tribute to the head coach and the 
entire coaching staff, but particularly Scotty Bowman, who has his 
ninth Stanley Cup win in his 30 years, and 9 years with Detroit. This 
is the most for any coach in the NHL. Sports Illustrated has called him 
the best coach in any sport. That is high praise.
  Yesterday, the fans, of whom we have many--in fact, we in Detroit and 
in Michigan believe we have the best fans in the country, and indeed in 
the world, in Hockeytown everyone joined in rousing support and thanks 
to Scotty Bowman for all he has done to bring this team to another 
victory and also for leading a group of men who are role models both in 
their sport on the ice as well as in their own communities and personal 
lives.
  We are sorry to see Scotty leave, but we are so grateful that he has 
spent this time in Detroit and that he has given his all to help our 
team achieve the very highest honors possible.
  Interestingly, we know the Stanley Cup was named after Lord Stanley 
of Preston, the Governor General of Canada. In 1893, he started this 
award by purchasing a small, gold-plated, silver bowl from a London 
silversmith for $50.

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The bowl was awarded to the best hockey team in Canada. The original 
cup is actually in a museum.
  It was a great honor, yesterday, for me to see our Stanley Cup, to 
see the names that are engraved there, to know that Detroit has such a 
high place of honor, and that the Detroit Red Wings have once again 
brought the cup home to Detroit.
  So congratulations to the Red Wings. We are so proud of you. It is my 
great pleasure to stand with Senator Levin in salute to our Detroit Red 
Wings today.

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