DETROIT – The 1979-80 season was the Detroit Red Wings' first at Joe Louis Arena, but they didn't play the entire season there.
The team switched arenas just after Christmas. It's difficult to imagine a modern-day professional sports team intentionally switching home venues while the season is in full-swing, but the Red Wings did such.
Recommended Videos
The Wings did not begin play at Joe Louis Arena until Dec. 27, 1979, which was game 33 of 80 that season. They played the final game at Olympia Stadium on Dec. 15 before embarking on a four-game road trip. When they returned, the new arena was ready for them to take the ice.
Drone footage: New Red Wings arena construction progress on Sept. 25, 2016
The 2016-17 season will be the Red Wings' final tour at the beloved "Joe" before they move into the new Little Caesars Arena. While fans, players, personnel and media members have fond memories of the great Red Wings teams at the Joe, that first season was not a good one for the franchise. In fact, if not for the arena switch, the franchise could stand to erase it from the history books. It was another low point during the "Dead Wings" era. Detroit finished that season in last place with a 26-43-11 record.
But since then, the organization has boasted a winning tradition. Detroit has celebrated six conference championships and four Stanley Cups while tenants at the Joe. The "Dead Wings" era is a distant memory.
Read: Memorable Red Wings moments at Joe Louis Arena
The Red Wings open the 2016-17 season Thursday night in Tampa. The first game of the last season at the Joe is Monday, Oct. 17. The Red Wings will host the Ottawa Senators.
Weigh in here: How will the Red Wings do this season?