Red Wings to wear commemorative patch and paint No. 9 in ice at JLA to remember Gordie Howe

By @MichaelCaples –

The Red Wings have announced two significant acts of remembrance for the late Gordie Howe.

Detroit will wear a commemorative patch on their jerseys for the duration of the 2016-17 season in honor of “Mr. Hockey” while also painting a red “9” in the ice behind both nets at Joe Louis Arena.

The patches will be worn on the front left side of the chest for all home and road games this season; the team will wear a white “9” patch on the red home jerseys and a red “9” patch on the white home jerseys.

“Our team wanted to honor ‘Mr. Hockey,’ due to his incredible impact on the game of hockey, the Red Wings organization and the city of Detroit,” said Tom Wilson, President and CEO of Olympia Entertainment.  “Wearing the ‘9’ jersey patch will be one of many ways our team will celebrate and look back on the life and career of Gordie during the upcoming season.”

An in-game tribute to “Mr. Hockey” will also be held during the home opener on Oct. 17.

The press release also states that planning is underway to honor Gordie Howe and other Red Wings legends at the new arena.