A look back at the Red Wings’ 2002 Stanley Cup victory on its 23rd anniversary highlighting key moments a star-studded roster and a historic farewell to Scotty Bowman
June 13, 2025 — Today marks the 23rd anniversary of one of the most iconic nights in Detroit Red Wings history: their 2002 Stanley Cup Championship. That night, the Red Wings defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 at Joe Louis Arena, hoisting the franchise’s 10th Stanley Cup, and solidifying their place as the team of the era.
Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XJune 13, 2002. 🏆
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The 2001–02 Red Wings were a powerhouse built for greatness with a loaded roster of Hall of Famers and future legends like captain Steve Yzerman, Brendan Shanahan, Nicklas Lidström, Sergei Fedorov, Chris Chelios, Luc Robitaille, Brett Hull, Dominik Hasek, and the legendary Igor Larionov, just to name a few.
Coached by arguably the greatest head coach in the sport's history, Scotty Bowman, in what would be his final season behind the bench.
Game 5
The Cup-clinching game took place on June 13, 2002, with the Red Wings entering up 3-1 in the series. The Stanley Cup was in attendance and Detroit wasted no time imposing their will.
Goals from Shanahan and winger Tomas Holmstrom powered the Wings to a 3–1 victory over the Hurricanes. The final moments were deafening as the sold-out Joe Louis Arena erupted in celebration, knowing the Cup was staying in Hockeytown.
Yzerman was handed the cup for the third time in his career and was his proudest win yet as he was battling a severe knee injury throughout the playoffs.
He went on to hand of the cup to coach Scotty Bowman, who took a legendary victory lap on skates, giving him the send-off he deserve. It was Bowman’s ninth Stanley Cup as a head coach, breaking his tie with Toe Blake and cementing his legacy.
Conn Smythe Winner
The 2002 Conn Smythe Trophy was awarded to Nicklas Lidström, making history as the first European-trained player to win the award. Lidström was outstanding throughout the playoffs, logging heavy minutes and putting up 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 23 games.
His surgical style of play anchored Detroit’s blueline and shut down the Hurricanes' every opportunity in the brief five-game series.
Moments from the 2002 Playoff Run
- Game 3, Round 1 vs. Vancouver Canucks – Down 0–2 in the series, Nicklas Lidström scored from center ice on Dan Cloutier to swing the momentum. Detroit would rattle off four straight wins to take the series.
- Game 7, Round 2 vs. St. Louis Blues – Dominik Hasek showed why he was nicknamed “The Dominator” after shutting out the Blues in a must-win game.
- Game 3, Stanley Cup Final vs. Carolina – Igor Larionov scored the triple-overtime winner, making him the oldest player to score a Stanley Cup Final overtime goal at age 41.