Sergei Fedorov came to the Red Wings as a 20-year-old defector from Russia and left with three Stanley Cups and a Hart Trophy.
But despite a glowing career with Detroit that also included 400 goals and two Selke trophies as the league's best defensive forward, only now is Fedorov considered the brightest star on his own team.
The speedy 33-year-old center returns to Detroit today for his first visit since signing a US$40 million deal to join the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
After a slow start, Fedorov has adjusted to his new team's system and has displayed his hallmark slapshot and graceful skating.
He didn't score in Tuesday's game at Columbus, Ohio. He has eight goals and 20 points entering today's game.
"It probably will be overwhelming, so I'm probably going to have to calm myself down a bit before the game," Fedorov said. "There will be certain pressures, but I'll try not to lose my head and get caught up in all that other stuff besides hockey because I'll have to perform on the ice."
Dominik Hasek, the Red Wings' future Hall of Fame goalie, knows Fedorov's situation. After spending his entire career in Buffalo, he went to Detroit in July 2001. His first trip back to Buffalo in a Wings jersey was a tough one.
"It's emotional. You don't know what to expect. You don't know if the crowd will cheer you or boo. I remember in Buffalo ... you sort of feel uncomfortable," Hasek said.
Fedorov plays for last season's Stanley Cup runner-up as the lead offensive weapon. The Ducks were 8-4-7 and in third in the Pacific Division entering Tuesday night.
"I signed with Anaheim, which was a strong contender, and I said many times that they were the only strong contender that wants my services. That was the bottom line, I guess," he said.
"It was a business decision. It was nothing against people or fans or management in Detroit. Sometimes, things just don't work out in the end."
And just when Fedorov was coming into his own in the early 1990s, winning the Hart Trophy for the 1993-1994 season, the Red Wings added several other Russian players to form the Russian Five.
But with the Russians and coach Scotty Bowman, Fedorov was happy.
"Definitely the coaches -- Scott and Bryan [Murray, now the Ducks' general manager], and the Russian Five," Fedorov said. "That was the most memorable time, hockey-wise, playing with the Russian guys."
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