Fedorov on No. 91 retirement: 'Great honor if it happens'

Detroit — Sergei Fedorov was back in his hockey home Tuesday night.

And wondering what it would feel like to see his No. 91 in the rafters of Joe Louis Arena.

Fedorov left no doubt it would be a special honor to see his number join such greats as Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidstrom, among other Red Wings legends.

"I don't want to put any pressure, but it's going to be a great honor if it happens," Fedorov said. "If not, to still be a part of it here for 13 seasons, I'm really fortunate. That stretch is still talked about."

Does Fedorov believe owners Mike and Marian Ilitch will choose to retire No. 91?

"I don't know, maybe, possibly," Fedorov said. "But it's like I said, I have to be careful what I say, but if it happens it would be great. When it happens, I don't know.

"But if it happens, you cherish it for the rest of your life."

Fedorov said he was "nervous" about his ceremony at Joe Louis Arena, celebrating his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame over the weekend in Toronto.

He didn't sleep the evening before, traveled to Detroit Tuesday morning, and was "excited" about being back in Detroit.

"Just an excited feeling to see once again the atmosphere at Joe Louis Arena, and be part of the game I love and see familiar faces on the ice," Fedorov said.

Fedorov reiterated his appreciation of the Ilitch family and the Red Wings organization drafting him and letting him grow as a hockey player in Detroit.

"Appreciation of the team (that) drafted me, and gave me an opportunity to play and like I said before, I had the best years of my life here," Fedorov said.

Fedorov said he still returns to Detroit about three of four times a year and gets positive response from fans — much like he hopes to receive Tuesday night.

"That's still the case, even though we had some misunderstandings," said Fedorov, alluding to his decision to leave as a free agent.

ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com

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