Paul Woods, who served as the Detroit Red Wings’ radio color analyst since the 1987-88 season and previously captained the team during his playing career, called his final game one week ago. Before his last broadcast, Woods shared a story at Amerant Bank Arena and later repeated it in his farewell to fans following the Red Wings’ regular-season finale on April 15.
Woods’ retirement marks the end of an era for Detroit sports broadcasting. As the longest-serving radio color commentator in Detroit history, he provided commentary for more than 3,000 games and four Stanley Cup championships. His decision to retire was motivated by a desire to spend more time with family. “A guy comes up to me with his family and asks me, ‘Do you like the Detroit Red Wings?’ I looked at him for a little while, then said, ‘No, to tell you the truth, I love the Detroit Red Wings.’ And that’s really my feeling. I’ve been with the organization now for almost 50 years. That’s really something, and I’m very, very thankful for all the opportunities I had,” Woods said.
Woods explained that being able to spend summers with his children made broadcasting an ideal job when he started but now looks forward to watching his grandchildren play sports: “But I have grandkids now…I’m looking forward to watching them do all of that because I’ll have a lot more time on my hands now.”
Reflecting on his long tenure in broadcasting alongside Bruce Martyn and Ken Kal—who replaced Martyn in 1995—Woods credited both men for making his experience easier: “Bruce told me a couple things…He gave me some good advice that way. And then when Ken came in…It was seamless when Ken came in.” Kal described Woods as “an excellent teacher” whose experience helped him understand intricate details of hockey.
Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan also recognized Woods’ impact: “Very short [time together], but his impact on the game…is remarkable…for as good a hockey man as he is, he’s an even better human being and always positive.”
The Red Wings are one of six original teams in the National Hockey League according to their official website. The team represents Detroit and has won eleven Stanley Cup championships according to their official website. The franchise hosts its games in downtown Detroit according to their official website and is considered by many sources as having a legacy of excellence among American NHL teams according to their official website.
Looking ahead, those within the organization continue reflecting on Woods’ nearly five-decade association with pride. As McLellan put it: “I’m not saying that Paul Woods needs a statue, but 48 years in one organization—we definitely have to acknowledge that.”
