A series of rumors about my attitude, as well as derogatory remarks about myself and my family showed me that the personal resentment of the Detroit general manager toward me would make it impossible for me to continue playing hockey in Detroit.

On November 10 1991 the Detroit Red Wings honored his contribution to the team by retiring his sweater No. However when Maple Leafs owner Stafford Smythe got wind of this gambit he pressured the league into vetoing it forcing Lindsay to stay retired. Norris on the AHA side.

He scored over 800 points in his Hockey Hall of Fame career won the Art Ross Trophy in 1950 and won the Stanley Cup four times. Often referred to as "Terrible Ted" Lindsay helped to organize the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) in the late 1950s an action which led to his trade to Chicago.