Chances are, if you ever say "just a city boy", a Detroit Red Wings fan will respond with "born and raised in south Detroit!". The Journey hit song is known for everything from The Sopranos to nonstop replay on the radio. In Detroit, however, it's known as the victory call of the Red Wings.
Despite the song being about a guy from Windsor, Canada (aka "south Detroit"), the iconic song is one of the biggest rallying cries in the Motor City. It represents grit, steadfastness and a reason to always believe.
But how - and why - did "Don't Stop Believin'" become a hit with the Red Wings?
According to the documentary Unrivaled: Red Wings vs. Avalanche, it started in the 90s.
Vladimir Konstantinov never stopped believing
Every Red Wings fan who watched the team in the 90s knows the story. Following the 1997 Stanley Cup victory, franchise defenseman and Russian Five figure Vladimir Konstantinov was involved in a car accident. His limousine driver, according to the police report, lost control of the vehicle. Konstantinov, as a result, became paralyzed, unable to ever play a game of hockey again.
During the 1997-98 season, the Red Wings came together to support their teammate. Konstantinov, a lover of rock music, would often play artists like Queen and Journey before and after games. The Red Wings wore a "Believe" patch during the 97-98 season to stand in solidarity with their injured teammate.
The team would frequently play classic rock throughout the season, including "Don't Stop Believin'", which became a rallying cry for the team in conjunction with the patch.
When the Red Wings finally won the Stanley Cup in 1998, the team brought Konstantinov, now in a wheelchair, on the ice to celebrate. Captain Steve Yzerman defied tradition, passing the Cup to Konstantinov first rather than hoisting it himself.
Though the song explicitly mentions Detroit, the true meaning is much deeper than a throwaway line in a song.
What "Don't Stop Believin'" represents today
While the song doesn't carry the same weight it used to in Hockeytown, it still means something to the players (and the fans). Detroit is a city that, historically, has never had it easy. This has, in turn, created a culture of grit and determination. Any Detroit sports team worth their salt mirrors that mentality.
Though the current Red Wings are suffering from a bit of an identity crisis, this era should be seen as an opportunity to forge a path ahead. It's a chance for the team to finally epitomize what it means to stand up when you're knocked down.
In this era, more than anything, the Red Wings need to remember three words:
Don't Stop Believin'.
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