Dec 26, 2025
3 min read
There was a time when holiday hockey was the highlight of the Red Wings season and here's a look at 12 ways to have a Red Wings Christmas.
I-Red Wing Detroit
12 ways to celebrate Red Wings Christmas
Holiday hockey used to be a Red Wings staple
It's been more than half a century since the Detroit Red Wings played a game during the holidays.Christmas Day and Christmas Eve games have been banned by the NHL since 1972. Recently, Boxing Day was added to the list of days prohibited from organizing games.
That wasn't always the case.For decades, Christmas hockey has been a staple of the NHL calendar.Much of Red Wings history is tied to the Christmas season, so let's take a look at these 12 ways the Red Wings celebrate Christmas.
Mr. Hockey was Mr. Christmas
- Over the past few years, the Red Wings have played 38 games on Christmas Day.The club's record as of December 25 is 14–18–6.
- Red Wings icon Gordie Howe still holds many NHL records.One thing that never stops, is the season of the NHL's leading scorer on Christmas Day.In 21 games on December 25, Mr. Hockey scored 14 goals and 14 assists
The @NHL played 125 games on Christmas Day from 1920-21 to 1971-72 - the last season with a game on Dec. 25.#NHLStats pic.twitter.com/fw0XW29BVA
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) December 25, 2018
- Detroit was closed five times on Christmas Day.Wings had one shutout on Dec. 25. John Ross Roach stopped 28 shots in a 4-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Dec. 25, 1932 at Olympia Stadium.
- Former Red Wing player Steve Vochy is the oldest player in the NHL.Born on December 25, 1922, Vochi celebrates his 104th birthday today.Vochy's 19-20-39 record in 1944-45 was a club rookie record.
- Detroit's last Christmas Day win was a 4-3 decision at home against the Rangers on December 25, 1963. Howe scored twice, including the game-winner.
A red leaf blowing maple leaves on Christmas day
– If the Red Wings had signed Albin Grewe (2019) and Theodor Niederbach (2020) alongside Simon Edvinsson, they could have used all three chipmunks
David Seville and the Chipmunks - The Chipmunk Song.Please don't be late for Christmas
(I might want to hula hoop..Alvin A Chipmunk) pic.twitter.com/drXzyNYotO— I'm INDY!(@IndyBeginsAt220) December 17, 2025
- On December 25, 1930, the Detroit Falcons scored in double figures for the first time in franchise history, putting 10 pucks on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ben Grant in a 10-1 loss.Ebbie Goodfellow scored four goals for the Falcons.The next day, Grant was assigned to the minor leagues by the Maple Leafs.
- The Red Wings are 0-5-1 in their last six Christmas games.Detroit's last game on Dec. 25 was a 5-3 loss at Toronto in 1971. Nick Libett scored Detroit's last goal on Christmas Day. Mickey Redmond had a goal and an assist in the game
- Red Wings Hall of Fame veteran Norm Ullman turns 90 on December 26.He is second in all-time hits on Christmas Day with 5-10-15
- On the 26th of December, 1996, Sergee's Serge-Detected Caps of Red Netic Capital Capitis is the first to play five bags.
- Red Wings forward Ed Giacomin stopped all 24 shots he faced and former Red Wings Pete Stemkowski had four assists as the Rangers beat Detroit 5-0 in the last Christmas game between the two teams on December 24, 1972.
- The Red Wings went 1-0-2 in Christmas Day overtime games.Had 1-1 ties with Chicago (1936) and Toronto (1937).Sid Abel's goal at 5:02 of overtime gave Detroit a 3-2 victory over the Brooklyn Americans on Christmas Day 1941.
Merry Christmas everyone and thanks to the Reds 2025/26!They play well and deserve our thanks
Good names in the past. Good article. Thanks. Merry Christmas to all.
