Red Wings Could Be Maize And Blue Down The Middle

It’s entirely possible that this season, the Detroit Red Wings will be coloring their center position maize and blue. Depending upon how they opt to slot their lines, the center on each of Detroit’s four forward units could be a former Michigan Wolverines player.

If that’s not bizarre enough, all four of them were teammates on the same Michigan squad in 2014-15.

“Yeah, it’s interesting,” admitted Tyler Motte, the newest addition to this quartet of ex-Wolverines. “I mean, I’m sure it’s an option for the staff. I think we’ll let them sort that out.

“It does show what Michigan hockey’s produced over the last few years and even, I guess, decades now, but it’s a pretty unique situation.”

Let the fun begin! #LGRW

🎥: Motte – https://t.co/9pdNOo4Ygm
🎥: Husso – https://t.co/5aPAaXkQFk
🎥: Kasper – https://t.co/sCytaeMpIH
🎥: Newsy – https://t.co/7vm7jAFulc pic.twitter.com/cyBcCCcWHK

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 21, 2024

Captain Dylan Larkin will certainly be Detroit’s No. 1 center. Behind him, J.T. Compher is slotting in as No. 2 center, with Andrew Copp pivoting the third line. Motte, a summer addition as a UFA, is looking like he’ll be at center on the fourth line.

On that 2014-15 Michigan squad, Larkin (47), Copp (31) and Motte (31) were 2-3-4 in points. Compher was eighth in scoring with 24 points for the Wolverines. As far as goal scoring, Larkin (15) was second, Copp (14) third, Compher (12) fifth and Motte (nine) seventh.

Red Wings Brass Aren’t Michigan Men

Earlier this summer, Yzerman made it abundantly clear that he hasn’t suddenly become a Michigan man. He’s not bringing these guys to Detroit for sentimental reasons.

“We don’t care where the players are from,” Yzerman said. “That they’re from the area is nice, but most importantly, we’re trying to build a good team on the ice.”

Even since arriving in Detroit three years ago, Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde was making it equally clear that Motte was a player he covets.

F Tyler Motte will wear jersey number 14 for the Detroit Red Wings. Number last worn by Robby Fabbri in 2023-24. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/hxxOBf5E4E

— NHL Jersey Numbers (@NHLNewNumbers) August 16, 2024

“I watched a lot of him in the league,” Lalonde said. “It’s someone we’ve talked about the last few years around that free agency time.

“I like the player.”

Suiting up all four centers from the same college hockey team certainly makes for an interesting anecdote. It isn’t why they are Red Wings, though.

A much more compelling story to tell would be if these four Michigan men were playing a role in leading Michigan’s NHL team back to the promised land of the Stanley Cup playoffs.