In tribute to the scouting staff of the Detroit Red Wings, it is astonishing to see the championship team they have assembled largely from selections at the NHL Entry Draft. From the 2007-08 team, the following players were picked up by way of the draft:
| Justin Abdelkader: 42nd overall in 2005 |
| Pavel Datsyuk: 171st overall in 1998 |
| Valtteri Filppula: 95th overall in 2002 |
| Johan Franzen: 97th overall in 2004 |
| Darren Helm: 132nd overall in 2005 |
| Tomas Holmstrom: 257th overall in 1994 |
| Jimmy Howard: 64th overall in 2003 |
| Jiri Hudler: 58th overall in 2002 |
| Tomas Kopecky: 38th overall in 2000 |
| Niklas Kronwall: 29th overall in 2000 |
| Nicklas Lidstrom: 53rd overall in 1989 |
| Darren McCarty: 46th overall in 1992 |
| Derek Meech: 229th overall in 2002 |
| Chris Osgood: 54th overall in 1991 |
| Kyle Quincey: 132nd overall in 2003 |
| Mattias Ritola: 103rd overall in 2005 |
| Henrik Zetterberg: 210th overall in 1999 |
Supplemented by stars secured through free agency and trades, the Red Wings are a formidable team, not just now, but projecting into the future.
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| Pittsburgh fans see red…and white as team scout Marty Stein and his family celebrate their Red Wings victory. (Mike Bolt/HHOF)
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Incorporated in 1892, Vernon, British Columbia is a community of great beauty located in the lush and bountiful Okanagan Valley. The fact that four members of the Detroit Red Wings family are from the area is a marvel, and allowed the community an extended visit this summer with the Stanley Cup.
After spending time in Saskatoon with Coach Babcock, the Stanley Cup flew from Saskatchewan to B.C., landing in Kelowna on Saturday, July 19. Marty Stein, a scout for the Wings, was there to meet the Cup, and enjoy the honour of its presence at his home in Vernon.
Marty is a physical education teacher by trade, but has picked up an excellent reputation for having an eye for talent, so assists the Red Wings by scouting on a part-time basis, reporting to Joe McDonnell, the Director of Amateur Scouting. Marty entertained friends and family with the Stanley Cup for several hours on Saturday at his Vernon home.
While in Vernon, the Cup moved around liberally between Marty, scout Bruce Haralson, goaltender Chris Osgood and GM Ken Holland, and Brian Johnson over at Vernon Dodge provided transportation for the Stanley Cup as it traveled throughout the city.
After spending time with the others over the weekend, Marty Stein was involved in the Stanley Cup's public appearance at the Wesbild Centre. Between 9AM and noon, fans were invited to come by, get a photo with the Stanley Cup and meet Marty and Ken Holland. Donations were solicited and targeted for three local charities - Greater Vernon Minor Hockey, Vernon and District Minor Baseball and the Rienie Holland Foundation for Parkinson's Disease. Hundreds lined up and supported the charities and the Wings' championship.
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| Possibly Bruce Haralson's best pick yet, the Stanley Cup enjoys a relaxing afternoon in the sun surrounded by smiling faces. (Mike Bolt/HHOF)
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Like several of his colleagues, both on and off the ice, this is the fourth Stanley Cup celebration for Bruce Haralson, one of three full-time amateur scouts for Detroit under Joe McDonnell.
Following the Stanley Cup's appearance on Monday morning, Bruce had several hours with the Stanley Cup on Monday afternoon, and took the trophy to his home in nearby Kelowna, just about an hour from Vernon. That evening, he passed the Cup back to Chris Osgood.
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On Tuesday, you'll find out what Chris Osgood did with the Stanley Cup when you return here to the Stanley Cup Journal.
Kevin Shea is the Editor of Publications and Online Features for the Hockey Hall of Fame.
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