Key Takeaways
- The Red Wings will retire Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91 on Jan. 12, 2026, as part of Detroit’s centennial season celebrations.
- Fedorov said the honor brings a “wave of emotions” and stressed: “I was always a Red Wing,” even after leaving for Anaheim.
- The Hall of Famer reflected on past disputes and said he’s open to mentoring the next generation of Red Wings.
Sergei Fedorov during his time with the Red Wings (Photo courtesy of Elsa - Getty Images)
The Detroit Red Wings will retire Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91 on Jan. 12, 2026, during the franchise’s centennial season. In a wide-ranging conversation with RG, the three-time Stanley Cup champion reflects on the call from ownership, old business disputes, leaving for Anaheim, and what comes next—while Detroit’s history with No. 91 comes into full view.
The news reached Fedorov on Tuesday. It was a call from Red Wings owner and CEO Christopher Ilitch.
“The day before, I had been told to expect a call,” Fedorov said. “I understood the general idea but didn’t ask too many questions. I’ve always had a good, respectful relationship with the organization. The next day, I got a message saying that Chris Ilitch would be calling me. My heart immediately started beating faster."
“When we spoke, we first exchanged the usual questions about how things were going, how our families were doing, and then he shared the news with me. Honestly, in the first three or four minutes of the conversation, I wasn’t 100 percent sure where it was headed. But then he started listing all of our victories, our achievements, and how long it took to get there. At that moment, it took my breath away. Memories rushed back—our struggles, our bumps along the road, and of course that unforgettable parade of emotions after winning our first Stanley Cup.
And after Detroit made the official announcement yesterday, I’ve been getting hundreds of messages and calls. It feels like the whole world has gone crazy.”
The banner will rise on Jan. 12, 2026, before a home game against Carolina, making Fedorov the ninth Red Wing to receive the club’s highest honor. The timing places the ceremony squarely inside the organization’s season-long centennial program.
“Long Overdue” Honor
Locally, many have labeled the move “long overdue.” Nicklas Lidström—Fedorov’s fellow 1989 draftee and a 2015 Hall of Fame classmate—saw his No. 5 retired back in 2014. Fedorov wasn't worried about the timing.
“Of course, many people remember my career and wanted this to happen, but some things are simply out of our control. In situations like this, you just live your life, enjoy the moment, and spend time with your family.
It’s both a simple and a complicated question. Even if this conversation had never happened, nothing in my life would truly change. But for me, this is an incredible honor. It’s a huge wave of emotions, memories, and feelings. I think of my parents, of my family … it wasn’t always easy. But the work we all put in made us true teammates and partners. And that’s the most important thing. We all love this game.”
He adds that the centennial backdrop does add weight—though he’s still processing it.
“Hockey is the kind of game where you have to prove every single night that you are the best. You’re hit, you’re shut down, you’re denied space. It’s a constant battle. Of course, the timing gives it extra depth. But to be honest, I still haven’t fully processed it or found the right words for how it feels.”
Past Decisions, Present Perspective
The opponent that night inevitably conjures two touchpoints in Fedorov’s Detroit history: the 1998 offer-sheet saga and the 2002 Stanley Cup Final that Detroit won 4-1 over Carolina. Fedorov declines to read mythology into the pairing.
“If we were still living in those times—maybe,” he said. “But I don’t believe in theories like that. It’s all in the past now. Everyone made their choices, and they were honest and understandable. Fate is fate. And here it is, bringing us together again.”
Fedorov’s 2003 free-agent move to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim colored perceptions in Detroit for years. Asked bluntly whether he should have stayed, he’s unequivocal.
“That’s a good question,” Fedorov said after a pause. “You know, in the few seconds while you asked it, I realized—I don’t regret it. I remember exactly how I felt back then. Of course, there’s a part of my reasoning that I’ve only ever shared with those closest to me. But I can honestly say it was the right decision. It was a deeply human, sincere choice. At that time, it was how I truly felt.”
Boos eventually gave way to a standing ovation, particularly around Fedorov’s 2015 Hall of Fame induction and subsequent appearances in Detroit. Inside the relationship, he says, the through line was professionalism.
“In our world, humanity has always come first. I can’t say we ever had a bad relationship. Every decision—mine or the Red Wings’—was made by professionals. Everyone understood what was happening behind the scenes.
Looking Ahead
With the number retirement settled, could there be a formal tie to the organization beyond the alumni circuit? Fedorov doesn’t push, but he won’t hesitate if asked.
“That’s a fair thought. If Detroit’s management wants me involved professionally, I’d be happy to do it. I’d gladly share my experience, mentor young players, and help raise the next generation of Red Wings champions.”
“I don’t know all the details [on the ceremony] yet. What I do know is that I’ll have around 50 close friends and family with me. They’ll be coming from all over the world, not just Russia. As for the rest—that’s up to the organizers.”
Strip away the symbolism, the business chapters, and the centennial staging, and Fedorov keeps circling back to the same core themes: honesty, teammates, family—and hockey as a nightly test.
“It’s a huge wave of emotions, memories, and feelings … We all love this game.”
