“Terrible Ted” Lindsay Detroit Red Wing Legend

Remembering a Legend: Ted Lindsay’s Final Resting Place

On a quiet walk through Guardian Angel Cemetery in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, I stepped inside the Angel of Peace mausoleum and found the crypt of one of hockey’s greatest warriors — Detroit Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay.

Born in Renfrew, Ontario, Lindsay made his NHL debut in 1944 after just a single game in the AHL — a testament to the raw talent and determination that would define his career. He soon became a cornerstone of the legendary “Production Line,” skating alongside Sid Abel and the incomparable Gordie Howe. Together, they led the Red Wings to four Stanley Cup victories, dazzling fans and dominating opponents with unmatched chemistry.

The Production Line, Howe, Abel and Lindsay

Ted Lindsay wasn’t just known for his skill — he was famously tough. Over his career, he endured more than 700 stitches to the face, each one a badge of honour in an era when the game was as brutal as it was beautiful. Yet despite his grit, he played with grace and precision. In fact, Lindsay is credited as the first player ever to lift the Stanley Cup above his head — a now-iconic celebration etched forever into the fabric of the sport.

Ted Lindsay passed away in Oakland Township, Michigan, on March 4, 2019, at the age of 93.

1925-2019.