The 2016-2017 NHL season will be the end of an era for the place that the Detroit Red Wings have called home for the past 37 years (38 after this season), Joe Louis Arena. "The Joe" opened its doors on Dec. 12, 1979, and hosted its first ever Detroit Red Wings game on Dec.r 27, 1979, when the Wings took on the St. Louis Blues. Later that year, it hosted its first and the NHL's 32nd All-Star Game ever. Joe Louis Arena's last season will be a special one, and Wings fans everywhere hope it can have one last Stanley Cup winning team be in it.

The Detroit Red Wings, who have brought four Stanley Cup Championships (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008) to the Joe, will be moving from there to the new Little Caesars Arena in the 2017-2018 season. Although the stadium will be very nice, it will never be able to replace Joe Louis Arena because it is not just a building, it has been an important piece of history for the city of Detroit. It has been host to not only Wings games but many more events than that; most recently would be the funeral for Red Wing legend "Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe.

Joe Louis Arena has an atmosphere like no other. When fans walk through the doors to watch a Wings game, they immediately feel the intense energy that is a part of "The Joe". There is nothing more intense and exciting than a Detroit Red Wings game at Joe Louis Arena, it is unlike anything anyone will ever experience at a sporting event, and that is all thanks to the fans who sell out the arena each and every night.

Though this will be the last season fans will ever see their Detroit Red Wings play at Joe Louis Arena, the memories that have been made there will last a lifetime. Fans are hoping that this upcoming farewell season can bring some magic to a Wings team that has been awful in the playoffs as of late and lead them to their fifth Stanley Cup in 19 seasons. It has been a good run for Joe Louis Arena, but all good runs must come to an end at some point. Thank you for the good memories and good times Joe Louis Arena, you will be missed by Detroit Red Wings fans all over. To the Little Caesars Arena, welcome to Hockeytown.