RED WINGSThe life and times of Joe Louis ArenaConfetti falls from the rafters as the celebration begins at Joe Louis Arena moments after the Red Wings defeated Carolina to win the 2001-02 Stanley Cup on June 13, 2002. In Joe Louis Arena, fans witnessed the long-desired revival of a great sports franchise, hailed a prodigal legend, acquainted their wide-eyed children with a cathedral of sports, smuggled octopi, proposed marriage, praised and cursed the hockey gods and, uncountable times, rhythmically bellowed, “Let’s go Red Wings!”John T. Greilick, Detroit NewsRed Wings captain Steve Yzerman hoists the Stanley Cup trophy after Detroit dispatched Philadelphia in four games to win the NHL Championship in 1997. It was the Red Wings’ first Cup in 42 years.David Guralnick, The Detroit NewsThe 1996-1997 Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings, led by Captain Steve Yzerman, center, take to the ice at Joe Louis Arena June 7, 1997. The win marked a high point in the storied arena.Daniel Mears, The Detroit NewsGround is cleared next to Cobo Hall on the Detroit River for construction of Joe Louis Arena in July 1978. Joe Louis Arena almost never happened. In the mid-1970s, the City of Detroit had to rush to prevent the Red Wings from moving to Pontiac.The Detroit News ArchivesHaving lost the Lions to Pontiac in 1974, Mayor Coleman Young and others swung into action. When the site was selected, it required shoe-horning the big building between what was then called Cobo Hall and an area set aside for the construction of Riverfront Towers, the three-skyscraper residential complex. Joe Louis Arena is shown under construction in November 1979.The Detroit News ArchivesJoe Louis Arena under construction in November 1979.The Detroit News ArchivesJoe Louis Arena under construction in November 1979.The Detroit News ArchivesHockey great Gordie Howe of the Hartford Whalers takes a standing ovation before the start of the National Hockey League All-Star game at Detroit' s Joe Louis Arena on Feb. 5, 1980. The 51-year-old hockey great was playing in his 23rd All-Star game, not counting six in the World Hockey Association.APRepublican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan was nominated at The Joe. He gives a two-handed high sign as he stands before a cheering Republican National Convention, July 17, 1980 in Detroit's Joe Louis Arena.Rusty Kennedy, APA shower of balloons drops from the top of the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit where the Republican National Convention heard Ronald Reagan accept the nomination for president by his party, July 17, 1980.APU. S. figure skaters Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan pose Jan. 9, 1994 at Joe Louis arena in Detroit. The 1994 U.S. Figure Skating Championships were held there, although Nancy Kerrigan was assaulted by the forces of Tonya Harding next door, near a practice rink set up in the old Cobo Arena.MERLINE SUMMERS, APNancy Kerrigan speaks during a news conference Friday, January 7, 1994 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, as she describes how she was attacked by an unknown assailant January 6, 1994 after a practice session at the US Figure Skating Championships in Detroit. Kerrigan, who withdrew from competition, was unable to defend her US Nationals title due to her injuries.LENNOX MCLENDON, ASSOCIATED PRESSColorado Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy, left, takes a punch from Detroit Red Wings' goaltender Mike Vernon during a first period brawl in Detroit on March 26, 1997. The rivalry between the two teams has been considered the most bitter, most angry in hockey, perhaps in all of professional sports.TOM PIDGEON, APThe Colorado Avalanche's Claude Lemieux and Red Wings' Darren McCarty fight at Joe Louis Arena in March 1997.Alan Lessig, The Detroit NewsClaude Lemieux of the Colorado Avalanche and Darren McCarty of the Detroit Red Wings mix it up in 1997.Alan Lessig, The Detroit NewsAvalanche coach Marc Crawford argues with the Red Wings bench during Game 4 of the Western Conference finals in the Stanley Cup playoffs at Joe Louis Arena May 22, 1997.Alan Lessig, The Detroit NewsSteve Yzerman flips in the game winning goal after faking out Colorado goalie Patrick Roy during the Red Wings overtime win against the Colorado Avalanche Jan. 8, 2001.David Guralnick, The Detroit NewsThe crowd erupts during the 1997 NHL championship game.The Detroit News ArchivesSteve Yzerman hands the Stanley Cup off to team owners Mike and Marian Illitch after the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in four games in 1997.The Detroit News ArchivesDetroit's Viacheslav Fetisov (2) embraces countryman Vladimir Konstantinov (16) after Detroit's 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers to win the Stanley Cup in 1997.Daniel Mears, Detroit NewsFrom left, Nicklas Lidstrom, Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan pose with the Stanley Cup, which they won the previous season, during Stanley Cup banner night at the Red Wings home opener in 1997.Alan Lessig, The Detroit NewsBrendan Shanahan hoists the Stanley Cup after the Wings defeated the Carolina Hurricanes (Game 5) at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on June 13, 2002.Daniel Mears, The Detroit NewsRed Wings goalie Dominik Hasek hoists the Stanley Cup at Joe Louis Arena after the Red Wings defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 to win the 2001-02 Stanley Cup on June 13, 2002.John T. Greilick, Detroit NewsRed Wings captain Steve Yzerman hands the cup to coach Scotty Bowman, the ninth of Bowman's legendary coaching career, at Joe Louis Arena after the Red Wings defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 to win the 2001-02 Stanley Cup on June 13, 2002.John T. Greilick, Detroit NewsRed Wings captain Steve Yzerman hands off the Stanley Cup to coach Scotty Bowman in 2002.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsSteve Yzerman carries the Stanley Cup out of Joe Louis Arena after the Wings defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of round 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Detroit.Alan Lessig, The Detroit NewsShock forward Cheryl Ford, left, jumps on the back of assistant coach Rick Mahorn as the Shock seal their victory during the second half as the Detroit Shock take on the Sacramento Monarchs in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Sept. 9, 2006. Detroit wins, 80-75.Robin Buckson, The Detroit NewsShowing off their Stanley Cup rings are: (from left) Scotty Bowman (former coach/advisor), Ken Holland (General Manager), Jim Nill (Assistant General Manager), Mike Ilitch (owner), and Jim Devellano (Senior Vice-President/Alternate Governor) at Joe Louis Arena, Sept. 24, 2007.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsNicklas Lidstrom is congratulated by the fans after scoring his 200th career goal in the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena, March 2, 2007.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsShock forward Cheryl Ford, right, sprays champagne on assistant coach Rick Mahorn, left, in the locker room celebration of their victory over the Sacramento Monarchs in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, on Sept. 9, 2006.Robin Buckson, The Detroit NewsSacramento Monarchs forward Rebekkah Brunson, left, fouls Shock forward Planette Pierson during the second half in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Mich. on Sept. 9, 2006. Detroit wins, 80-75.Robin Buckson, The Detroit NewsZach Wilson, of Kalamazoo, carries a box of pizza -- Little Caesar's, the brand started by Wings owner Mike Ilitch -- making his way up the steep steps of the upper concourse to his seat during a game in January 2010.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsChampionship banners hang over the ice at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, March 5, 2014.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsThe evidence of Red Wings franchise success hangs from the rafters along with the retired numbers of Red Wings greats Steve Yzerman, Terry Sawchuck, Alex Delvecchio, Ted Lindsay, Sid Abel and Gordie Howe on May 2, 2013.John T. Greilick, The Detroit News(from left) Former players Bob Probert, Vladimir Konstantinov, and Larry Murphy are introduced to the crowd at a ceremony to retire the number of Steve Yzerman at Joe Louis Arena, Jan. 2, 2007.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsThe Red Wings practice at Joe Louis Arena beneath the multitude of banners indicating previous success in the playoffs April 27, 2007.John T. Greilick, The Detroit News"Wing Nut" Dan Sifuentes, of Auburn Hills, cheers on the Red Wings during warm-ups. before a game against the Anaheim Ducks at Joe Louis Arena, Oct. 3, 2007.David Guralnick, Detroit NewsAl the Octopus blows steam on fans outside Joe Louis Arena before the start of the NHL playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on May 8, 2008.Daniel Mears, The Detroit NewsFans make their way up the stairs to the front entrance for Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the San Jose Sharks May 4, 2010.Daniel Mears, The Detroit NewsJoe Louis Arena next to Cobo Hall is seen from Windsor, Ontario, Canada in April 2014.David Coates, The Detroit NewsAn octopus is thrown onto the ice before the start of the game against the Chicago Blackhawks during Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit., May 20, 2013.David Guralnick, David GuralnickRed Wings fans help Henrik Zetterberg celebrate his game-winning goal, breaking a 1-1 tie against the Nashville Predators in the third period of their game April 10, 2008. Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom assisted on the goal and Zetterberg added an empty netter as the Red Wings defeat the Nashville Predators 3-1 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.John T. Greilick, Detroit NewsRed Wings fans Tom Klock of Allen Park and his son-in-law Ron Wernette of Sylvan Lake admire the statue of Red Wings legend Gordie Howe just inside the west entrance to Joe Louis Arena , May 26, 2008.John T. Greilick, The Detroit NewsBuilding Manager Al Sobotka twirls an octopus that was thrown to the ice before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning during game three of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Joe Louis Arena, in Detroit, April 17, 2016. On Monday, the Red Wings play their first home game of their final season at Joe Louis Arena against the Ottawa Senators.David Guralnick, Detroit News