Alexander Peter "Fats" Delvecchio (born December 4, 1931) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, coach, and general manager who spent his entire National Hockey League (NHL) career with the Detroit Red Wings.[1] In a playing career that lasted from 1951 to 1973, Delvecchio played in 1,549 games and recorded 1,281 points. At the time of his retirement, he was second in NHL history in number of games played, assists, and points. He won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct three times and helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup three times.[2] He is one of three NHL players to spend their entire career with one franchise and play at least 1,500 games with that team (the other two, Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidström, also played for the Red Wings). Upon retiring in 1973, Delvecchio was named head coach of the Red Wings and was also named the team's general manager in 1974; he served in both roles until 1977. Delvecchio was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977, and in 2017 was named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" in history.
Delvecchio is the last surviving member of the Red Wings' 1952 and 1954 Stanley Cup teams.
In 1956–57 Delvecchio was laid up by a broken ankle for 22 games, but seldom missed a game thereafter, missing only 14 over the following 16 seasons of his career.[3]
In NHL history Delvecchio is surpassed only by Nicklas Lidström in the number of games played in a career spent with only one team. Despite his impressive career, Delvecchio was never the Red Wings' leading point scorer in a season, primarily due to Howe's presence. The closest he ever came was in the 1969–70 NHL season, where he was just three points behind Howe for the team lead.
Post-playing career
Delvecchio's #10 banner (third from left) hanging in Joe Louis Arena. A large bronze statue of an ice hockey player in the act of shooting the puck. The player's hands and stick are shown numerous times to simulate motion. At the base of the statue is inscribed "Alex Delvecchio Born: December 4, 1931, Fort William, Ontario, Canada
Following his retirement as a player in 1973, Delvecchio served two stints as Detroit's head coach and one as general manager until leaving hockey in 1977 to go into business. Delvecchio is an "Honored Member" of the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association and is active in its efforts to raise money for children's charities in Metro Detroit.[5] At the time of his retirement, he ranked second only to Howe in nearly every significant offensive category in Red Wings history. He has since been passed in most of those categories by Steve Yzerman and in assists by Nicklas Lidström, but he remains third behind Howe and Lidström in games played as a Red Wing.
Named a Second Team All-Star in 1953 (at centre) and 1959 (at left wing).
Played in the All-Star Game 13 times (in 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1967), a total surpassed by only six players.
Served as team captain for twelve years, a mark surpassed only by Steve Yzerman.
Remains 11th all-time in NHL history in games played and 27th in points scored.
Third in points and goals, and fourth in assists, in Red Wings history.
