The yearbook entry for these guys said "Most Unlikely to Succeed."

What a bunch of low draft picks



Henrik Zetterberg#40Left WingDetroit Red Wings Height: 5-11
Weight: 195
Shoots: Left
Born: Oct 9, 1980 - Njurunda, Sweden
Draft: 1999 - 7th round (210th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings


Pavel Datsyuk#13CenterDetroit Red Wings Height: 5-11
Weight: 197
Shoots: Left
Born: Jul 20, 1978 - Sverdlovsk, USSR
Draft: 1998 - 6th round (171st overall) by the Detroit Red Wings


Valtteri Filppula#51CenterDetroit Red Wings Height: 6-0
Weight: 189
Shoots: Left
Born: Mar 20, 1984 - Vantaa, Finland
Draft: 2002 - 3rd round (95th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings



Nicklas Lidstrom#5DefenseDetroit Red Wings Height: 6-1
Weight: 193
Shoots: Left
Born: Apr 28, 1970 - Vasteras, Sweden
Draft: 1989 - 3rd round (53rd overall) by the Detroit Red Wings


Johan Franzen#93CenterDetroit Red Wings Height: 6-3
Weight: 218
Shoots: Left
Born: Dec 23, 1979 - Vetlanda, Sweden
Draft: 2004 - 3rd round (97th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings


Tomas Holmstrom#96Right WingDetroit Red Wings Height: 6-0
Weight: 202
Shoots: Left
Born: Jan 23, 1973 - Pitea, Sweden
Draft: 1994 - 10th round (257th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings





And retreads and prodigal sons who had hit bottom


Darren McCarty#25Right WingDetroit Red Wings Height: 6-1
Weight: 210
Shoots: Right
Born: Apr 1, 1972 - Burnaby, British Columbia
Draft: 1992 - 2nd round (46th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings
(Addicted, Broke and Divorced...he was given a second chance)

Daniel Cleary#11Right WingDetroit Red Wings Height: 6-0
Weight: 210
Shoots: Left
Born: Dec 18, 1978 - Carbonear, Newfoundland
Draft: 1997 - 1st round (13th overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks
(high draft pick that some said was washed up and uncomitted...he was given a second chance)

Kris Draper#33CenterDetroit Red Wings Height: 5-10
Weight: 190
Shoots: Left
Born: May 24, 1971 - Toronto, Ontario
Draft: 1989 - 3rd round (62nd overall) by the Winnipeg Jets
(purchased for the princely sum of $1 from the Winnipeg Jets...how humiliating)


Chris Osgood#30GoaltenderDetroit Red Wings Height: 5-10
Weight: 176
Shoots: Left
Born: Nov 26, 1972 - Peace River, Alberta
Draft: 1991 - 3rd round (54th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings
(underrated, underappreciated, seldom respected...this 3 time Cup Winner may yet be a Hall of Fame Goalie)



Humble beginnings for many and almost humble endings for others
yet they all found a way to make it happen for themselves and their fans.


What a Team.


According to some this is the house that love and humility built (by an unassuming Papa Ken Hollands).

Long may she stand.