The Detroit Red Wings announced that Sergei Fedorov’s number 91 will be retired during a pre-game ceremony on January 12, 2026, when the team hosts the Carolina Hurricanes at Little Caesars Arena. The long-awaited announcement for Fedorov comes 16 years after his final season in the NHL, which he played with the Washington Capitals in 2008-09.
Fedorov will be the ninth player to have his number retired in Red Wings franchise history, joining Sid Abel (No. 12), Alex Delvecchio (No. 10), Gordie Howe (No. 9), Red Kelly (No. 4), Nicklas Lidstrom (No. 5), Ted Lindsay (No. 7), Terry Sawchuk (No. 1), and Steve Yzerman (No. 19).
“I’m extremely grateful for this tremendous honor,” Fedorov said in a statement. “Thank you to everyone with the Red Wings organization, especially those who helped bring me to Detroit and gave me the chance to play for such a historic franchise. I was fortunate to be part of some unforgettable teams, and above all, I’m proud of the three Stanley Cup championships we won for our amazing fans in Hockeytown. The memories made along the way – with legendary teammates, coaches, and exceptional ownership – will stay with me forever. Lastly, I want to thank Chris Ilitch for the call yesterday to share the news about retiring my number. It’s a moment I’ll always cherish. I can’t wait to see everyone in January.”
Fedorov was one of the most electrifying players in the NHL during his 13 seasons with the Red Wings. The Russian centerman earned league’s MVP honors in 1994, was awarded two Selke Trophies (NHL’s best defensive forward) in 1994 and 1996, and won three Stanley Cups with Detroit in 1997, 1998, and 2002. Fedorov, in 908 games played with the Red Wings, registered 400 goals (4th-most in franchise history), 554 assists (7th), 954 points (6th), a plus-276 rating (2nd), 31 shorthanded goals (2nd), 12 overtime goals (1st), 79 game-winning goals (3rd), and 3,148 shots (5th).
Fedorov is also one of only two players in franchise history to register multiple 100-point seasons, joining Steve Yzerman, who had six consecutive 100-point campaigns from 1987-88 to 1992-93. The Red Wings made the playoffs all 13 years Fedorov was on the team.
“We are honored to celebrate Sergei Fedorov and raise his #91 to its rightful place hanging in the rafters at Little Caesars Arena, among the all-time greats who have worn the Winged Wheel,” Detroit Red Wings Governor and Chief Executive Officer Chris Ilitch said. “His exceptional skill, relentless drive, and lasting impact playing a pivotal role bringing three Stanley Cup championships to Detroit make him the perfect embodiment of the qualities deserving of our franchise’s most prestigious honor. My parents, Mike and Marian Ilitch had a special reverence for Sergei as one of the most dynamic and charismatic players of his era, and someone who made a tremendous impact on our organization. All of us at the Red Wings look forward to hosting Sergei and his family in January to pay tribute to his remarkable career.”
Fedorov, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015 during his first year of eligibility, finished his career in the NHL with 1,179 points (483g, 696a) in 1,248 regular-season games split between the Red Wings, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Capitals. Among Russian-born skaters, Fedorov has the third most goals in NHL history, trailing only Alex Ovechkin (897 goals) and Evgeni Malkin (514).
Once ending his career in the NHL, Fedorov played three more seasons in Russia with Metallurg Magnitogorsk before officially hanging up his skates. He then became an executive, serving as a general manager (2012-2017) and senior advisor (2017-2021) for the KHL’s CSKA Moscow before eventually becoming the team’s bench boss for three seasons (2021-2024). Fedorov led CSKA to back-to-back Gagarin Cup championships in 2022 and 2023, earning KHL Coach of the Year honors both seasons.
Fedorov had his number 18 retired by CKSA in December 2024. He played four seasons for the Russian club before leaving for the NHL in 1990-91.
Since being removed from his post as CSKA head coach, Fedorov has spent time with his loved ones, but has continued to keep an eye on hockey.
“Of course, I follow my favorite team,” Fedorov said to Match TV in 2024, per a Google Translation. “But now I am mostly busy with family responsibilities. I haven’t disappeared or vanished. I’m here.”
The Red Wings’ recognition of Fedorov will come nearly 12 years after the club retired Nicklas Lidstrom’s number 5 in February 2014. The team had been receiving some criticism from fans and former legendary players for dragging its feet on the announcement.
“For me it’s hard to believe (it’s not retired yet),” former Red Wings teammate Chris Chelios said as an analyst with TNT last season. “He was such a great teammate. I was there for two of the Cups with him; he won three. Just the way he skated was stealth. He could carry the team. He played forward. Scotty (Bowman) put him on defense. He was just a natural and such a great kid. In the locker room, no one worked harder than him. That’s shocking, it’s not there yet, but I hope it gets in there because he deserves more than anybody.”
