Red Wings Stanley Cup Winner Buys Pro Franchise
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IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectIMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectAnother player who wore No. 71 for the Detroit Red Wings is making big news with the move he’s making in the hockey world this offseason.
While captain Dylan Larkin is seeking a hockey future away from his hometown of Detroit, former Red Wings defenseman Jiri Slegr is making what he hopes will be a triumphant return to his old hockey home.
Stepping down from his role as GM of the Czech national team, Slegr is taking over as a co-owner of Litvinov, his old club in the Czech Extraliga.
Patrik Elias takes over as the GM of the Czech national team after Jiri Slegr. https://t.co/hbrcqHwCpQ
— Szymon Szemberg (@Sz1909_Szemberg) June 3, 2026
“The negotiations weren’t easy,” Slegr told Czech website hokej.cz. “Even as an eternal optimist, I didn’t see it working out. But in the end, we managed to find common ground.
“When I think about how much work went into it, what we had to go through… We reached the finish line on time. I’m so happy for everyone, even though we have everything ahead of us.”
The Red Wings acquired Slegr at the NHL trade deadline during the 2001-02 season. The defenseman wore his usual No. 71 and would help Detroit win the Stanley Cup that spring.
Another Former Red Wings Player is Helping Out
Although he’s not officially part of the new ownership group, there’s another person familiar to Red Wings fans who is also helping to get Litvinov pointed in the right direction.
Former Detroit center Robert Lang is serving as a consultant and a silent partner. He’s working alongside Slegr and others who’ve taken over the team. Lang was a Red Wings player from 2004 to 2007.
Gr 8 pic from Litvínov, Cz. Jiri Slegr top rw, 1st from L, 622 GP. Robert Lang (top rw, 5th from L), 989 NHL GP. Martin Rucinsky (middle rw, 2nd from R), 961 GP. Robert Reichel (bottom rw, 3rd from R) 830 GP. Also Ivan Hlinka Jr. (middle rw, 4th from R) son of Ivan Hlinka.
— The Hockey Samurai 侍 (@hockey_samurai) April 2, 2022
WOW pic.twitter.com/CMiC78HDsq
“He has always been here with us,” Slegr said. “He just lives in America, so he can’t help us directly. But he’s been interested in it all the time. He even has a sister who works at (team sponsor) Unipetrol. He certainly has an overview.
“Coincidentally, I’ve spoken to him twice now. We’re in touch. He asks questions, he’s interested. It’s important to us that a guy like that does care.
“It’s just like (former NHL forward) Martin Ručinský, who lives in Prague, has his own pub. But he says he’ll help whenever he can. It’s not about positions, but about the help.
“We’d like to involve the guys in it.”
The post Red Wings Stanley Cup Winner Buys Pro Franchise appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.