When you grow up in the suburbs of Detroit in the 90s, you grow up a Wings fan. How can you not?

While there was never any uncertainty about my team, one drawing I made in 3rd grade cemented my favorite NHL athlete and hockey team in place. We were learning how to draw faces, and our teacher had pictures of Detroit Red Wing hockey players for us to use. I have no doubt that mine was terrible, but that didn’t stop me from sending Sergei Fedorov my drawing of his face.

When I received an envelope back from “him” in the mail, I was so excited that I saved it and the contents – a season schedule, a Joe Louis Arena fact sheet, and a “Red Wings history in Hockeytown” sheet – all the way until now. It didn’t matter that I didn’t get an autograph or any personal note; just the fact that I got mail from the Detroit Red Wings was thrilling.

Yzerman, Fedorov, Lidstrom, Shanahan, Osgood, McCarty, Draper, Konstantinov, and coach Scotty Bowman are a handful of names that will never be forgotten by Detroit. I grew up in the era of slugfests between the Wings and the Colorado Avalanche. I remember being stressed while watching many Stanley Cup playoff games and celebrating many victories. The image of octopi being flung onto the ice never gets old. If my memory serves me correctly, there was once a spring thunderstorm that took out power at our house and left the family listening to a game on a battery-powered radio.

Unfortunately my Wings experiences were limited to television and radio during my childhood. Because the team was so good, ticket prices were higher than my parents were willing to pay to take the family to a game at the fabled Joe Louis Arena.

When I heard that JLA would be hosting its final season in 2016-17, I knew I needed to go to a game. I let my Dad know that if I was in Michigan during hockey season, I’d be taking myself to a game. “Maybe Jeff and I will come along,” he said.

“Sure! I just know that I’m going,” I responded.

Because of that, my parents bought tickets to see the Detroit Red Wings vs. the Los Angeles Kings as a family Christmas gift. On December 15th, I finally saw my first live game. Unfortunately it didn’t turn out as hoped – nor did the season – but that didn’t stop me from wandering around and appreciating the history of Hockeytown. I can only imagine the ridiculous energy and craze of games in the 90s and 00s.

Yesterday The Joe hosted its last Wings game ever, and although I’m hardly part of Detroit these days, knowing that JLA’s run is over saddens me. I’m forever defending the city of Detroit, and The Joe housed some of the city’s most exciting moments.

So from The Pub in Fairbanks, where I’m wearing my Fedorov jersey as I drink to you: Thanks, Joe, for the memories of fights, losses, and victories.

It’s kind of like Detroit itself.