The selection of Vladimir Konstantinov in the 11^th Round of the 1989 Draft was as good as stealing.  This was one of the last years that it was considered pointless to take players from the U.S.S.R., and two years later, he defected, joining the Detroit Red Wings in 1991.

Detroit Red Wings owner, James Norris, called Larry Aurie the franchise's heart and soul, and praise doesn't get much better than that.

Jimmy Howard was taken late in the Second Round in 2003, but the American Goalie only played in nine Games for Detroit before he truly became a Red Wings rookie (2009-10).

Bob Goldham was already a well-established Defenseman before he arrived in Detroit in a ten-player trade from Chicago.  He would, however, take his game to another level in the Motor City.