(CBS-DETROIT) – Ten days ago, former Red Wings great Pavel Datsyuk was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and on Thursday Detroit honored the man nicknamed “Magic Man.”
Datsyuk spent his entire 14-year NHL career with the Red Wings, and he says coming back to Detroit is like being with family again.
Little Caesars Arena was filled with Datsyuk’s No. 13 Datsyuk jersey during the home game against the New York Islanders.
“It’s great, it’s been 14 good years. Good memories, it’s a fun road,” Datsyuk said.
Datsyuk took part in the ceremonial puck drop before the game, and although he hasn’t touched the ice in Detroit since 2016, fans say if you love Red Wings hockey, it’s impossible not to watch him since have missed.
“When I was in high school, we won the Stanley Cup in 2008, and Pavel Datsyuk was probably the best player. He was the Magic Man, and he was just a joy to watch,” said Chris Langlois of Windsor, Ontario.
Datsyuk also helped Detroit win the 2002 Stanley Cup, and his electrifying skills helped cement him as one of the game’s premier two-way players throughout his career.
“He’s iconic in Detroit and in hockey and just the Magic Man,” said Andrew Dehaan of Waterford.
Before the match, Datsyuk spoke about what the whole experience of being honored and inducted has meant to him.
“They spread out the moment not for an hour, but for one weekend, and it’s just amazing. Good memory,” he said.
Datsyuk finished his career in his native Russia, but prior to Thursday’s ceremony it was announced that the Red Wings had signed Datsyuk to a one-day contract, allowing him to go down in history as a member of the team.
