Mickey Redmond

Playing Career with Montreal Canadiens

Mickey Redmond began his National Hockey League career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1967, joining one of the league's most dominant franchises. He quickly found success, winning the Stanley Cup in his first two full seasons in 1968 and 1969 as part of a talented roster. During the 1969-70 season, Redmond demonstrated his emerging scoring touch by netting 27 goals for the Canadiens, establishing himself as a reliable offensive contributor. His time in Montreal revealed his potential and solidified his foundation as an NHL-calibre forward. The Canadiens traded Redmond to the Detroit Red Wings halfway through the 1970-71 season in a significant deal that sent superstar Frank Mahovlich to Montreal, a move that would redefine Redmond's career.

Breakout and Record-Setting Years in Detroit

Redmond's potential blossomed fully after his trade to the Detroit Red Wings. He finished that career year with 52 goals, surpassing the legendary Gordie Howe's team record of 49, and amassed 93 total points. After Delvecchio retired early in the 1973-74 season to become the team's coach, Redmond was placed on a line with budding superstar Marcel Dionne. He continued his elite scoring, achieving back-to-back 50-goal seasons by scoring 51 goals, which included an NHL-leading 21 power-play goals. This made him only the third player after Bobby Hull and Phil Esposito to accomplish that feat at the time, and his team record stood until John Ogrodnick scored 55 goals in 1985.

Premature Retirement Due to Injury

Mickey Redmond's prolific scoring career was cut tragically short by a debilitating injury. During the 1974-75 season, he sustained a serious back injury that limited him to only 29 games, a massive reduction from his previous full seasons. The back problems, described as permanent damage to a nerve running from his back to his right leg, persisted into the following year. His on-ice achievements were recognized with a place on the NHL First All-Star Team in 1973 and the Second All-Star Team in 1974, honours reflecting his status as one of the league's top wingers. He also played in one NHL All-Star Game in 1974, representing the Detroit Red Wings.

Transition to a National Broadcasting Career

Following his retirement from playing, Redmond smoothly transitioned into a career in sports broadcasting, beginning as a colour commentator on television. His early national broadcasting stops included CBC's long-running Hockey Night in Canada, bringing his analysis to Canadian audiences. He also worked on national broadcasts in the United States for NHL on ESPN, usually paired with renowned play-by-play announcers like Dan Kelly, Mike Lange, or Sam Rosen. Redmond later provided commentary for NHL on Fox, gaining exposure to a broad American audience. These roles established his credibility and familiarized him with the nuances of television hockey analysis before he settled into his long-term local role in Detroit.

Becoming the Voice of the Red Wings

The majority of Mickey Redmond's broadcasting career has been dedicated to local television coverage of the Detroit Red Wings, making him a fixture for generations of fans. He has worked alongside several play-by-play announcers over the decades, including Dave Strader and Mike Goldberg. For many years and currently, he has been paired with Ken Daniels on FanDuel Sports Detroit, forming a well-known broadcast duo. His unique and often humorous turns of phrase during broadcasts are affectionately referred to by fans as "Mickeyisms," becoming a cherished part of the team's cultural identity. Redmond has also been a frequent guest on popular local radio programs like Drew and Mike In the Morning on WRIF, further connecting with the community.

Broadcasting Legacy, Awards, and Health Management

Redmond's contributions to hockey broadcasting have been formally honoured with major awards. In 2011, he was the recipient of the Hockey Hall of Fame's Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, presented by the NHL Broadcasters' Association for outstanding contributions to hockey broadcasting. He was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in Detroit in 2022, recognizing his impact as both a player and broadcaster in the state. Redmond has openly managed significant health challenges throughout his broadcasting career. He is a two-time lung cancer survivor and lives with coeliac disease, an autoimmune disorder requiring a strict gluten-free diet. Due to the difficulty of finding consistent gluten-free meals on extended road trips, he now primarily broadcasts home games and away games requiring only short travel. For other away games, his commentary duties are typically covered by former Red Wings players and fellow broadcasters Chris Osgood and Larry Murphy.

Community Involvement and Family

Beyond the broadcast booth, Redmond remains an active and charitable part of the Detroit community. He has provided in-studio pre- and post-game commentary for local television stations WXYZ and WDIV during nationally broadcast Red Wings games on ABC and NBC. In a notable 2026 event, he was the subject of a celebrity roast, with all proceeds directed toward funding a recovery home, highlighting his commitment to charitable causes. His younger brother, Dick Redmond, had a substantial thirteen-season NHL career as a defenceman, primarily with the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins, making hockey a family affair. Mickey Redmond's enduring popularity is evidenced by his continued presence at events, such as his return to Little Caesars Arena for home game broadcasts, which is often highlighted by the team and fans.

Questions about Mickey Redmond

What health issues has Mickey Redmond faced and how do they affect his job?

Mickey Redmond is a two-time lung cancer survivor and also lives with coeliac disease, which requires a strict gluten-free diet. These health challenges directly influence his current broadcasting schedule. Due to the significant difficulty of finding reliable gluten-free meals on extended road trips, he primarily works Detroit Red Wings home games and away games that require only short travel. For longer road trips, his commentary duties are covered by other analysts like Chris Osgood or Larry Murphy.

How many Stanley Cups did Mickey Redmond win?

Mickey Redmond won two Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens. He was a right wing for the Canadiens from 1967 to 1971 and was a member of their championship teams in 1968 and 1969. He scored 27 goals for the Canadiens during the 1969-70 season. Halfway through the 1970-71 season, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in a deal that sent Frank Mahovlich to Montreal. This trade marked the end of his tenure with the Canadiens and the beginning of his prominent scoring career in Detroit.

What is Mickey Redmond famous for as a player?

Mickey Redmond is famous for being a prolific goal scorer, particularly for the Detroit Red Wings. In the 1972 to 1973 season, he became the seventh player in NHL history and the first Red Wing to score 50 goals in a season, finishing with a career high of 52 goals which surpassed Gordie Howe's team record. The following season, he scored 51 goals, achieving back to back 50 goal seasons and becoming only the third player after Bobby Hull and Phil Esposito to do so at the time. His 51 goal season in 1973-74 included an NHL leading 21 power play goals. He was named to the NHL First All Star Team in 1973 and the Second Team in 1974.

Why did Mickey Redmond retire so early?

Mickey Redmond retired early at the age of 28 due to a severe back injury. He sustained the injury during the 1974-75 season, which limited him to only 29 games that year. His back problems continued into the following season, and he was forced to retire after playing just 37 more games. The injury caused permanent damage to a nerve running from his back to his right leg, ending his promising playing career prematurely after he had just completed two consecutive 50 goal seasons.

What broadcasting award did Mickey Redmond win and what other honour did he receive?

Mickey Redmond won the Hockey Hall of Fame's Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 2011. This award is presented for outstanding contributions to hockey broadcasting and is selected by the NHL Broadcasters Association. In 2022, he was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in Detroit. These honours recognize his significant impact both on the ice as a player and his long and distinguished career behind the microphone as a broadcaster.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-04.