Sports
Justin Abdelkader
born 1987 · ice hockey winger
Michigan State Frozen Four hero whom the Red Wings drafted and who spent his entire twelve-season NHL career in Detroit, including the 2008 Stanley Cup.
- Born
Muskegon, Michigan
age 39- Detroit years
- 2005–2020
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
The Red Wings drafted Justin Abdelkader 42nd overall in 2005, and he spent three seasons starring for Michigan State, scoring the game-winning goal in the 2007 NCAA championship game against Boston College and earning Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player honors. He signed with Detroit in April 2008 and played his first NHL game that same month; weeks later he was part of the team's celebration when the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup. Abdelkader became a full-time NHL regular in 2009–10 and went on to sign long-term contracts with Detroit, including a seven-year extension in 2015. On October 9, 2015, he became just the second player in Red Wings history to score a hat trick in a season-opening home game. He proposed to his longtime girlfriend at Joe Louis Arena in 2016. Detroit placed him on waivers to buy out his contract in October 2020, closing a Red Wings career that never included another team.
Highlights
- Drafted 42nd overall by the Red Wings in 2005
- Scored the winning goal in Michigan State's 2007 NCAA championship win
- Part of the Red Wings' 2008 Stanley Cup championship team
- Scored a season-opening hat trick on October 9, 2015, only the second in team history
- Entire twelve-season NHL career spent with Detroit
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Played here · 2008–2017
Joe Louis Arena
Demolished · 1979–2017
His home rink for the first part of his career, including the 2008 Stanley Cup win and where he proposed to his girlfriend in 2016.
Played here · 2017–2020
Little Caesars Arena
His home rink for the final seasons of his career.