BORN TO WEAR WINGS
HIS STORY IS ETCHED IN MICHIGAN ICE
Born in Muskegon, Michigan in 1987, Justin Abdelkader started skating not long after he took his first steps, on a local lake not far from his home. He joined his first hockey team in kindergarten, and the rest is history…still being written.
He announced he wanted to be a Red Wing in elementary school, then set his sights on that goal with fierce focus, from competing in high school with the Muskegon Chiefs travel team to helping the Michigan State Spartans win their first championship in 21 years in 2007.
Since first playing with the Red Wings in the 2007-08 season, Justin’s continued to make his home state proud with his gritty, hard-nosed play and steady leadership.
A CAREER BUILT ON COMMITMENT
THREE DECADES OF DRIVE AND DETERMINATION
Drafted out of Michigan State in 2005 by the Detroit Red Wings, Justin Abdelkader’s hockey career has been distinguished by the strong, physical play and highly competitive personality his hometown fans have counted on for so long. A versatile power forward, he excels not only as one of the NHL’s most driven, dependable players, but as a valuable role model for his teammates — one reason he’s the Wings’ alternate captain.