1. Raising the Cup in 1998

I've always felt a little bit silly calling this moment one of the best of my entire life.  But almost nothing could top being there the night my team won it all.  To be corny about it, the Red Wings are something I always shared with my father, my friends, and in some ways my entire homeland.  To be even a tiny part of the ultimate success is absolutely thrilling.

When Steve Yzerman raised the Cup before handing it off to fallen Red Wing Vladimir Konstantinov, it was one of the best days of my life.

2. Raising the Cup in 1997

The final game of the '97 Cup finals was scheduled for the same day as my high school graduation party.  A gaggle of my closest friends and family gathered in our living room to watch the Wings win their first title in 42 years.  Then, my high school buddies and I made a tin foil replica of Stanley's chalice.  We drove it on the top of a converted post office truck to the local Big Boy where the statue out front had been decked out in a Wings Jersey.  And we hoisted it atop the giant cheeseburger.  It was a moment for the ages.

3. This Play

4. Raising the Cup in 2002

And doing it on a knee that would need literally unprecedented reconstructive surgery after the season was over.  He essentially couldn't stand without leaning on his stick.  And he won the Cup anyway.  That's drive, determination, and heart.

5. A Random Goal in a Random Year in the 80's

Only he was basically airborne, more or less parallel to the ground when he managed to rip off a wrist shot to beat the goalie.  He was tripped or hooked or something, but he still got it off.  I was 10 years old, and it was awesome.