Gerry Abel

The great Sid Abel is one of the greatest players in Detroit Red Wings history. But did you know his son also played for the Red Wings?

Born in Detroit on Christmas Day, 1944, upon signing his first NHL contract Gerry Abel was once quoted as saying "If I could be half as good as my dad, I'd be happy." His dad definitely heard the comment. After all, he was the Red Wings general manager at the time, and had signed his son.

Gerry, a low-scoring, lanky left winger would apprentice in Memphis in the minor leagues, but was called up for his first NHL game on March 8th, 1967. The game was said to be unnoteworthy in every other way if it were not for son Gerry's presence on the bench. You see, by this time father Sid was behind the bench coaching the team! Sid put Gerry on a line with Doug Roberts and Sid's old running mate, the great Gordie Howe.

That would prove to be Gerry Abel's only NHL game. He returned to Memphis for the balance of that season, and played the 1967-68 season in Fort Worth before hanging up the blades.