Why Are They Called Red Wings?
Introducing the Red Wings Nickname
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They were founded in 1926 as one of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Original Six teams under the name Detroit Cougars.
After spending their first season playing in Windsor, Ontario, the team moved to the Detroit Olympia for the 1927-28 season and formally adopted the name “Detroit Red Wings” in 1932. Their red and white jerseys featured a winged wheel logo, inspired by the auto manufacturing industry and military aviation so prominent in Detroit.
The Red Wings quickly found success, winning their first Stanley Cup championship in 1936. They would go on to become one of the most storied franchises in NHL history, amassing 11 Stanley Cup wins and 22 division titles over nearly a century of hockey in Detroit.
Though the origins of their distinctive nickname are somewhat debated, the Red Wings have proudly worn the moniker for over 85 years.
History of the Winged Wheel Logo
The Detroit Red Wings adopted the winged wheel as their logo in 1932 when the team changed its name from the Detroit Cougars to the Detroit Red Wings (Source). The logo was designed by graphic artist Don Wattrick and featured two red wings surrounding a wheel. According to the Detroit Red Wings’ official website, the wheel represented Detroit’s emergence as the Motor City and its importance to the auto industry. The wings symbolized speed and power.
There are a few theories about the meaning behind the winged wheel design. Some believe it was inspired by Detroit’s aviation industry and ties to military aviation, as the city was home to airplane manufacturing during World War I. The wheel may also represent strength and circular motion. Overall, the winged wheel logo encapsulated Detroit’s reputation for innovation, industry, and vehicular transportation.
Connections to Detroit’s Auto Industry
The Red Wings’ winged wheel logo and nickname are deeply connected to Detroit’s history and reputation as the center of the American automotive industry.
In the early 20th century, Detroit was called the “Automobile Capital of the World.” Icons like Henry Ford and companies like General Motors and Chrysler built the Motor City’s booming economy around automobile manufacturing.1
When the new NHL team came to Detroit in 1926, owner James Norris wanted to create an identity tied to the city’s auto heritage. Detroit was experiencing rapid growth thanks to the rise of the auto industry, so embracing that industrial spirit was savvy branding.
The winged wheel logo references Detroit’s reputation for building cars and symbolically connects the team to the city’s blue collar culture and manufacturing prowess. For almost a century now, the Red Wings have represented the Motor City’s ingenuity, work ethic, and passion for the automobile.2
Military Aviation Ties
One theory suggests that the Red Wings name originated from the red-painted planes flown by World War I fighter pilots. Some of the first fighter pilots painted their planes bright red, and they became known as the “Red Wings”. For example, during World War I, the 94th Aero Squadron of the United States Army Air Service was known as the “Hat in the Ring” squadron. The pilots painted their French-made SPAD XIII biplanes in a stark red color, with an insignia of Uncle Sam’s hat in the middle of a ring. These American fighter pilots were nicknamed the “Red Wings” for their red-painted planes.
Some believe the Detroit NHL team named themselves the Red Wings in tribute to these WWI fighter pilots with red-painted planes, who were some of the first American aviation war heroes. Winged wheels were also painted on the side of WWI fighter planes in some instances. Later, during World War II, the all-African American squadron of pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen famously painted the tails of their planes red and became known as the “Red Tails”. Some see parallels between the Red Wings of WWI and the Red Tails of WWII.
Previous Team Names
Before becoming known as the Red Wings, Detroit’s NHL team was originally called the Detroit Cougars. The Cougars name was used from the inaugural 1926-27 season through 1929-30.
According to Wikipedia, the Detroit Cougars were renamed the Falcons for the 1930–31 season before adopting the nickname Red Wings in 1932. The name change from Cougars to Red Wings was the result of a team reorganization and the acquisition of star players as the team sought to build a winning identity.
The Cougars name only lasted a few seasons before evolving into the much more famous Red Wings moniker that still represents Detroit hockey today.
Theory: Winged Wheels
One popular theory about the Red Wings’ name is that it was inspired by the winged wheel logo, which combines aviation and automotive themes. Detroit was the center of the American auto industry, home to the “Big Three” automakers – Ford, GM, and Chrysler. The winged wheel may have been meant to symbolize Detroit’s leadership in both automotive manufacturing and emerging aviation technology. According to the Winged wheel Wikipedia page, the winged wheel symbol was historically associated with both the Greek god Hermes and Roman god Mercury, who were gods of communication, travel, and technology.
There are accounts that the winged wheel logo was chosen after a visit to a Montreal auto show highlighted the aviation and automotive connection. The winged wheel resembles both a car wheel with wings and an airplane propeller. Red airplane wings were featured prominently on early versions of the logo. This symbolism likely inspired the Red Wings team name as a reference to the logo’s red airplane wings. The color red is also connected to Detroit’s automotive heritage.
Rivalry with the Montreal Canadiens
The Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens have had a fierce rivalry since the 1920s when both teams were part of the NHL’s Original Six (wikipedia). This rivalry saw many intense playoff battles, with the teams meeting in the Stanley Cup Finals an astounding six times in the 1950s alone. The Habs dominated the Wings during this period, denying Detroit a championship for over a decade.
Some suggest the “Red Wings” name may have been inspired by the iconic red jerseys worn by the Canadiens. The owner at the time, James Norris, aimed to build a team that could finally topple the mighty Montreal club (mcubed). Although the Wings eventually earned glory in later decades, the competitive energy between these historic franchises persists to this day.
Original Owner’s Vision
The name Red Wings originated with James E. Norris, who purchased the Detroit Falcons hockey club in 1932 and renamed them the Detroit Red Wings (Wikipedia, 2023). Norris was a prominent businessman and sportsman who also had ownership stakes in the Chicago Black Hawks and New York Rangers.
Norris envisioned the Red Wings as a premiere NHL franchise and wanted a name to invoke speed and power. The winged wheel logo was inspired by Detroit’s growing auto industry and nodding to the city’s reputation for manufacturing. Norris wanted the team’s identity to connect with the city and its blue-collar spirit. The red color was also meant to evoke aggression and strength.
By renaming the team from Falcons to Red Wings, Norris made his mark and set the team on the path to becoming one of the NHL’s most iconic franchises. His vision for a tough, gritty, and fast team that embodied Detroit lives on through the Red Wings name and logo he created.
Fan Theories and Lore
There are a number of popular myths and urban legends that Red Wings fans have created around the origin of the team’s name over the years. According to one legend, the Red Wings name comes from some red paint that dripped on the tire wheels of an early team owner’s automobile as his car was being repainted ([1]). However, this colorful myth has no factual basis.
Another more plausible theory ties the name to World War I fighter pilots, many of whom painted the wheels of their aircraft red. Some fans speculate the name pays homage to these courageous pilots. While a nice story, there is no direct evidence to support this fan conjecture either ([2]).
Whatever its exact origins, the Red Wings name has inspired the imagination of fans for nearly a century now. The evocative winged wheel logo and distinctive moniker have become an indelible part of Detroit’s sporting culture and folklore.
[1] https://www.michigan.org/article/trip-idea/michigan-urban-legends-tell-around-campfire
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Red_Wings
The Name Lives On
The Red Wings nickname and logo have become iconic symbols of Detroit and integral parts of the team’s identity. Even as decades have passed, the Red Wings have remained loyal to the winged wheel. The logo has persisted through multiple uniform redesigns with only minor updates.
The rallying cry “Let’s go Red Wings!” can still be heard loudly at every home game at Little Caesars Arena as fans cheer on their beloved team. Chants of “Go Wings Go!” also ring out frequently, showing the fans’ passion.
The Red Wings have a strong fan culture with many traditions. Throwing octopuses onto the ice during playoffs began in the 1950s as an odd ritual seeking good luck. Legend says the eight legs represented the eight wins needed to clinch the Stanley Cup at the time.
The Red Wings alumni association keeps former players involved. Alumni members make appearances at games and events, connecting today’s Red Wings team to its storied history and lineage of great players who wore the winged wheel.
After more than nine decades, the Red Wings name remains central to Detroit’s cultural identity. Though the roster changes, the winged wheel logo endures as a unifying symbol of the city’s hockey pride.
