Larry Aurie Lawrence Henry " Larry " Aurie ( February 8 , 1905 in Sudbury , Ontario , Canada – December 12 , 1952 ) was a Canadian professional right winger who played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Cougars , Detroit Falcons and Detroit Red Wings . Playing career . Aurie was considered by owner James Norris as the heart and soul of the Detroit NHL franchise from 1927 through 1938 . He was known for his remarkable all - around play , goal - scoring achievements and for being instrumental in the Red Wings ' winning their first two Stanley Cup championships in 1936 and 1937 . Aurie began his professional hockey career in 1926 with the London Panthers of the Canadian Professional Hockey League ( CPHL ) . The following season , he moved up to the NHL to play with Detroit . His dedication to off - season fitness with his short stature ( 5 foot 6 inches ) earned him the nicknames " Little Dempsey " ( for his fistic abilities ) and " The Little Rag Man " ( for his remarkable and entertaining ability to control or " rag " the puck during penalty killing ) . Twice during his career , Aurie led the Wings in assists and in 1933 – 34 , his 35 points topped the club in scoring . He was third in NHL scoring with a career - high 46 points in 1934 – 35 and fourth overall in 1936 – 37 with 43 points . He and Herbie Lewis represented the Red Wings at the first ever NHL All Star Game in 1934 . Aurie captained the team in the 1932 – 33 season , led the league in playoff scoring in 1934 with 10 points in nine games and led the league in goal scoring in 1937 with 23 while earning a first - team selection on the post - season NHL All - Star Team . He was part of the Wings ' first big line , playing alongside center Marty Barry and left wing Lewis . His selfless play and hustle made him a favorite of owner James Norris . Aurie scored his NHL leading 23rd goal on March 11 , 1937 in a 4 – 2 win over the New York Rangers , but later in the game fractured his leg in a collision with Rangers ' defenceman Art Coulter , ending his season . Aurie ' s season leading scoring performance earned him a berth on the NHL First All - Star Team . Unfortunately , this was Aurie ’ s last strong season . The lingering effects of his fractured leg began to affect his play and in 1937 – 38 , he dropped to 10 goals and 19 points and was forced to retire after the season at age 33 . After the season , team owner James Norris decided to honor Aurie by retiring his jersey No . 6 - the first Detroit player to have this honor bestowed upon him . The following season , Aurie was named player - coach of Detroit ’ s AHL farm club , the Pittsburgh Hornets , but returned to the Red Wings for one final game on Jan . 10 - scoring the winning goal against Montreal in a 3 – 0 shutout at Detroit . Aurie would later go on to head coach the Oshawa Generals . Retirement . Aurie ' s No . 6 jersey was officially retired by Wings owner James Norris after the 1937 – 38 season ( he returned to play one more game for Detroit on Jan . 10 , 1939 ) , but was reissued once in the late 1950s to his cousin ( not nephew as has been widely reported ) Cummy Burton , with the family ' s blessing . Aurie died in Detroit on December 12 , 1952 , having suffered a stroke the previous evening .