Mickey Redmond

Who was the first player to score 50 goals in a Detroit Red Wings uniform?

Gordie Howe? Nope. He never scored 50 goals. His highest was 49 in 1952-53.

Frank Mahovlich? Sorry, try again. Steve Yzerman? No, he wasn't the first. John Ogrodnick? Great guess, but not him either.

The answer, which should have been obvious given the big, bold-lettered title on the top of this page, is Mickey Redmond.

Mickey Redmond scored 52 goals in 1972-73, becoming only the 7th player in National Hockey League history to score more than 50 goals in one season. The sharp-shooting right wing from Kirkland Lake, Ontario had joined the ranks of Maurice Richard, Boom Boom Geoffrion, Bobby Hull, Phil Esposito, Vic Hadfield and John Bucyk. Rick MacLeish joined this elite group just one week later.

The following season Redmond duplicated his spectacular efforts by scoring 51 goals. At that point only Bobby Hull and Phil Esposito were able to score 50 goals in 2 different seasons. Redmond became the third player to achieve such goal scoring feats.

Mickey Redmond started his career as a high scoring winger with the famed Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey Association. The speedy right wing turned pro with the Montreal Canadiens in 1967. However even with expansion Redmond quickly became buried in the shadows of the great depth that Montreal enjoyed. He was used sparingly in his first two NHL seasons, and saw time in the minor leagues. In 1969-70 he was given more ice time and responded by scoring 27 goals and 27 assists in 75 games.

Despite his lack of success and a reputation for not being very reliable in his own zone, he remained a highly sought after prospect by other NHL teams when it came to trade discussion. After many rumors, Redmond was dealt in one of the biggest deals in hockey history - Redmond went to Detroit along with Guy Charron and Bill Collins in exchange for The Big M - Frank Mahovlich.

"The trade was a shock because the Canadiens told me I was in their plans for years to come. It was a disappointment because I always wanted to play for them. But it worked out. Detroit gave me the playing time I needed to develop. They needed me, while the Canadiens did not. Being needed brings out the best in you," said Redmond.

Redmond quickly became the key to the offense in the Motor City. His first full season with the Wings was in 1971-72. Redmond played in 78 games and hit the twine 42 times, establishing himself as a feared marksman. He was rewarded for his new found stardom by being part of Team Canada that would represent the country in the 1972 Summit Series. However Redmond would only play in one game and was used strictly as a reserve.

1972-73 saw Redmond break Gordie Howe and Frank Mahovlich's team record of 49 goals as he notched 52 while adding 41 assists for a career high 93 points. He was also named to the NHL's first all star team.

1973-74 saw Redmond score 51 goals, 21 of which came on the power play. He also added 26 assists for 77 points, and a NHL second team all star berth.

Redmond, an admittedly streaky scorer and notorious slow starter, was described by his coach Johnny Wilson as erratic but as good as anyone when hot.

"He's dedicated, but he gets disgusted quickly when things go wrong and tends to get down on himself too quickly. But when he gets some breaks and gets going good, he's almost impossible to stop."

Redmond was a bit of a one dimensional player in that his shot was his punch ticket. In 1974 author Bill Libby described Redmond perfectly.

"The 5'11" 185lb Redmond was a strong skater, but not a clever puck-carrier. His strength was in his arms, not his body, and he couldn't barge over people. He had to be set up. But if a team got the puck to him, he had a low wrist shot that he got away with remarkable quickness and a slap shot which had the force and accuracy of a rifle."

Gordie Howe was another impressed observer.

"Redmond probably has as high a scoring potential as any young player in hockey. He shoots as hard as Bobby Hull and gets his shot off in a hurry. He's not big, but he's tremendously strong. His big season was no surprise to me."

However Redmond's run of success quickly ended due to serious injuries. He was limited to only 66 games over the next two seasons. While he was able to scored 26 goals in that limited time, he was forced to call it quits after the 1976-77 season.

Redmond only played in two NHL post seasons, both with Montreal where he was used very sparingly in both 1968 and 1969. However in each year he earned a Stanley Cup ring. Oddly enough, despite finding superstar status in Detroit, Redmond's goal scoring exploits weren't enough to lift Detroit to the playoffs, not even once during his tenure in Hockeytown.

Injuries shortened his career and apparently ended his chances of joining the Hockey Hall of Fame, however Mickey Redmond will go down in history as one of hockey's top marksmen. The two time all star participated in 538 games, scoring 233 times while adding 195 assists and 428 points while accumulating 219 minutes in penalties.

Redmond remained an integral figure in the Red Wings franchise after hanging up the blades. He's been a popular colour analyst for Detroit Red Wing broadcasts, and has also appeared with ESPN, Hockey Night In Canada and Fox. He's quite famous for his humorous "Mickeyisms"