Detroit City Wire

The Detroit Red Wings announced they will retire Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91 jersey in a pre-game ceremony scheduled for January 12, 2026, when the team hosts the Carolina Hurricanes at Little Caesars Arena.

"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,” said Chris Ilitch, Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Red Wings. “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 expressed gratitude for this recognition. “I’m extremely grateful for this tremendous honor,” he said. “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.”

During his 13 seasons with Detroit from 1990-2003, Fedorov established himself as one of the franchise's top players across multiple statistical categories including games played (908), goals (400), assists (554), points (954), plus/minus (+276), power play goals (117), shorthanded goals (31), overtime goals (12), game-winning goals (79) and shots (3,148). He scored at least 30 goals nine times as a Red Wing and is one of only two players in team history with multiple 100-point seasons alongside Steve Yzerman.

Fedorov played 18 NHL seasons overall with stints on four teams: Detroit Red Wings, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals. He finished third all-time among Russian-born NHL skaters in goals, assists and points behind Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin.

He contributed significantly during postseason play by helping Detroit reach 13 straight playoff appearances while ranking among team leaders in playoff games played (162), goals (50), assists (113) and points (163). Fedorov was part of Detroit's championship runs that resulted in Stanley Cups in 1997, 1998 and 2002.

Selected by Detroit in the fourth round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft—the highest-drafted Soviet player at that time—Fedorov came to North America after defecting following an exhibition game between Team USA and Soviet Union in Portland.

Fedorov wore No. 91 as an inversion of Yzerman’s No. 19 when he debuted during the 1990-91 season; he earned All-Rookie Team honors that year after leading all rookies in scoring.

In his best statistical season during 1993-94, Fedorov led Detroit skaters across several categories including goals (56) and points (120). That year he became both Hart Memorial Trophy winner—the first European-trained player so honored—and recipient of Frank J. Selke Trophy as best defensive forward as well as Lester B. Pearson Award.

He continued collecting individual accolades throughout his career including additional Selke Trophies while helping lead Detroit teams that set regular-season records such as winning back-to-back Presidents’ Trophies.

Among other notable moments was Fedorov’s five-goal performance against Washington on December 26, 1996—a feat still remembered by fans—and reaching personal milestones like scoring his 400th goal as a Red Wing before departing after his final season with Detroit.

After leaving Detroit he achieved further milestones such as becoming first Russian-born player with both over 1,000 career NHL points and games played.

Internationally Fedorov represented Russia or Soviet Union at several Olympics—winning silver once—and World Championships where he earned gold medals both before joining NHL ranks and later near end of playing career.

Post-retirement from North American hockey he returned home where he served Metallurg Magnitogorsk both on ice—including captaincy—and later CSKA Moscow’s front office holding roles from General Manager through Head Coach; under his leadership CSKA won consecutive Gagarin Cups while earning him KHL Coach of Year honors twice.

Fedorov entered Hockey Hall of Fame upon first eligibility year in 2015; later recognized among league’s top-100 greatest players during its centennial celebration; also inducted into IIHF Hall Of Fame soon after.

With this announcement Fedorov becomes just ninth player whose number has been retired by Detroit joining Sid Abel (#12), Alex Delvecchio (#10), Gordie Howe (#9), Red Kelly (#4), Nicklas Lidstrom (#5), Ted Lindsay (#7), Terry Sawchuk (#1) and Steve Yzerman (#19).