The following is an excerpt from "The Big 50: The Detroit Red Wings," written by Free Press sports writer Helene St. James and published by Triumph Books. The book will be available online and in bookstores Tuesday.
Nearly four years had passed since he left — years he later recognized were significant to his growth as a person and as a goaltender. But as he approached the meeting with his longtime friend and former boss, all Chris Osgood cared about was his heart.
Osgood spent the first, best, and last parts of his 17-season NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings.