Sports / Business & brands
Jim Devellano
born 1943 · hockey executive
Mike Ilitch's first hire as Red Wings general manager in 1982, who drafted Steve Yzerman and built the foundation of four Stanley Cup teams.
- Born
Toronto, Ontario
age 83- Birth name
- James Devellano
- Also known as
- Jimmy D
- Detroit years
- 1982–present
- Field
- Sports, Business & brands
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Devellano, a Toronto high school dropout who had worked his way up as a scout and executive with the New York Islanders' dynasty, was hired by new owner Mike Ilitch in the summer of 1982 to rebuild the Red Wings, then one of the NHL's worst teams, playing to half-empty seats at Joe Louis Arena. His first draft, in 1983, brought center Steve Yzerman, who became the franchise's captain and icon. Devellano was general manager from 1982 to 1990 and again from 1994 to 1997, adding scouting in Europe that helped bring players such as Sergei Fedorov and Nicklas Lidström to Detroit. The Red Wings won Stanley Cups in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008 with him as senior vice-president. He also became a vice-president of the Detroit Tigers after Ilitch reorganized the club's front office in 2001. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010.
Highlights
- Red Wings general manager 1982–1990 and 1994–1997
- Drafted Steve Yzerman in 1983
- Part of four Red Wings Stanley Cup teams (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008)
- Vice-president of the Detroit Tigers from 2001
- Hockey Hall of Fame (builder), 2010
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Worked here · 1982–2017
Joe Louis Arena
Demolished · 1979–2017
The Red Wings' home during his rebuilding years and the Cup era; demolished in 2019–2020.