Red Wings owner Christopher Ilitch walked up to the podium, ready to share the news of Red Kelly’s number retirement to a gathering of media at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday. He smiled when he saw senior vice president Jim Devellano sitting in the back, among the reporters and cameras.



“Jimmy Devellano is here, this is wonderful,” Ilitch said.



It’s not every day that the news of a number going up in the rafters is shared and Devellano wanted to witness it. In fact, Kelly’s No. 4 is just the eighth in franchise history to earn this honor.



As Ilitch explained the thought process that went into finally honoring the 91-year-old old Kelly, Ilitch referenced Devellano again. They feel good about this decision as a group.



“I’m very pleased, I know our whole franchise — I know Marian Ilitch and Ken Holland and Jim Devellano smiling back there — we’re all very excited,” Ilitch said.