DETROIT - A crowd of more than one million fans filled the streets of Detroit and squeezed into Hart Plaza yesterday to honor members of the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings .
Wings team members, traveling in Ford Mustangs, paraded down Woodward Avenue and Jefferson Avenue as the crowd, donned in red and white attire, stood in the sun, cheered for their heroes and took pleasure in the booming city.
"This is the celebration of Lord Stanley coming home after 42 years of being away on vacation," said Wings owner Mike Ilitch. "We've got more fans in Detroit then they got in the whole NHL."
As Wings captain Steve Yzerman's car traveled down Woodward Avenue, the crowd broke the barricade that blocked them from the street, and enveloped him. Yzerman raised his arm and surprised the crowd with a view of the Stanley Cup trophy, glowing in the sun.
"We have the best fans in the world," Yzerman said. "All through the playoffs and on Saturday the celebration literally takes and blows the players away. We expected a lot of people here today, but we never expected this. I didn't think anything could top Saturday night, but I got to tell you, coming down Woodward Avenue was the best of all."
The parade concluded at Hart Plaza where the team owners, players and fans staged a celebration rally.
"It's pretty cool," said Northville resident Marybeth Atzinger. "I think its really cool that we can all come out and get along and keep it clean. It's pretty fucking cool that they won."
Of the more than half a million people who surrounded Hart Plaza, some climbed trees and telephone poles to catch a glimpse of the hockey stars.
University alumnus Bill Chalmers, who graduated in '91, said the crowd support was unbelievable.
"I've been going to Red Wings games since 1974, when we had 6,000 people in Olympia Stadium and you could shoot a cannon down Woodward since it was empty," Chalmers said. "Now, 23 years later, we finally win the Cup. I used to commute from Ann Arbor to Detroit just to see the Wings - and my studies suffered. But it was worth it."
Windsor resident Paul Williams arrived in Hart Plaza at 7:30 a.m., but chose to skip the parade to instead stake out a prime spot for the rally.
"We didn't really see the parade," Williams said. "The crowd's awesome. This is the first time I've been over and hung out here. Usually I just come over for concerts and stuff and then get out."
Some University students were so enthusiastic about the parade that they chose to sacrifice their studies and skip class to attend.
"I have four credits left to graduate, and I skipped class today because there is only one Stanley Cup," said LSA senior Sarah Forman. "It's hockeytown."
Detroit Police Department Police Officer Mark Golembieski said the large crowd was calm and safe, creating a positive image for the city of Detroit.
"Everyone has been pretty well-behaved," Golembieski said. "It will enhance our image because we didn't have the violence that we have had in the past."
Music senior Jessica Cauffiel said the atmosphere in Detroit yesterday was different from anything she had ever experienced before.
"I grew up in Detroit, and the energy today is so beautiful and positive," Cauffiel said, adding that she believes that Detroit is revitalizing and in five years will be the "jewel" of the midwest. "People are so warm and happy. It's beautiful, not dangerous."
MARGARET MYERS/Daily
Kris Draper, a player on the Detroit Red Wings championship team, shakes the hand of a young fan during yesterday's parade in downtown Detroit. Approximately one million fans were estimated to have attended the event.
MARGARET MYERS/Daily
Detroit Red Wings center Sergei Fedorov enjoys the parade and festivities honoring the Wings' Stanley Cup victory.