Prologue: December 23, 2017 Joe Louis Arena - Detroit, Michigan

The month of hockey begins here, where the Red Wings ended their 38 year residency last April. I am here for what is essentially a big garage sale, as the Wings are selling off their stuff that they think will people will buy. There's everything from a dismembered styrofoam octopus, the legendary JLA garbage cans (where many a meal was eaten because there was no other place to put your food) and some nice, but expensive, framed photos. Some torn out lockers from obscure players like Aaron Downey and Jiri Hudler. Napkin dispensers. Drink menus. It was as if someone had taken the arena, turned it upside down and shook all of this stuff out onto the formerly frozen floor. We had season tickets for the Wings for 20 years, so, to put it mildly, I spent a lot of time in this building, seeing countless exciting moments with many friends and family, including three Stanley Cup winning games. But, I am not sentimental today, in what is likely my last trip into the building. I said my goodbyes last season. The Joe will likely be razed next year to make way for a new hotel, which is a much better use of the waterfront site than a hockey arena. I am here in the hopes of snagging a chair for my smoking room, of which, mission accomplished, for the mere price of $25.00. The numerous wads of chewing gum at the bottom of the chair were a bonus. Still, as I left, there was a short, backward glance to section 216A, Row 14, seat 1. My seat. I saw Steve Yzerman lift up the Stanley Cup from there. Twice.