Craig Custance: In some ways, Mike Ilitch was Detroit's version of former Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider. They both had a huge impact on local and youth hockey in their cities, an impact that will be felt for years. Earlier this season, Philadelphia GM Ron Hextall was chatting about Snider's legacy and one of the things he said that remains strong was the relentless pursuit of winning that Snider instilled in the franchise. He gave the Flyers an identity that remains to this day. The same goes for Ilitch. The Detroit Red Wings franchise was a first-class franchise under Ilitch, one that sacrificed nothing in the pursuit of a Stanley Cup.
Morning roundtable: Building a winning culture in Detroit is Mike Ilitch's biggest accomplishment
