A former Detroit Red Wings forward is honoring another former Red Wings forward as he embarks upon his first season in Russia’s KHL.
Daniel Sprong is wearing No. 91 this season for CSKA Moscow, in tribute to legendary Red Wings Russian star Sergei Fedorov.
“He is one of the best players,” Sprong told Russian news agency TASS. “He is special, that is why I chose number 91.
“It is a great honor for me to play under this number for CSKA. I hope that he will be proud of me.”
🚨 Denis Gurianov PP
🍎 Daniel Sprong 🍏 Rhett Gardner
2-1 CSKA #KHLpreseason pic.twitter.com/rVog9y00U1
— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) August 31, 2025
Sprong also made it abundantly clear why he looks upon Fedorov with such adulation.
Fedorov is strong in his style of play,” Sprong said. “He could do everything on the ice. He could gather three people around him and outplay them.”
The Red Wings will be retiring Fedorov’s No. 91 this season in ceremonies before the team’s January 12 game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Little Caesars Arena.
CSKA raised Sergei Fedorov’s banner to the rafters 👏 pic.twitter.com/BlKbxF4qvn
— KHL (@khl_eng) December 19, 2024
Fedorov also played for CSKA Moscow. Last year, the Russian club retired the No. 18 that Fedorov wore while playing for them.
Sprong Wore Two Numbers With Red Wings
When Sprong signed with the Red Wings for the 2023-24 season, he was originally choosing to wear No. 88. However, he would relinquish those digits in November after Detroit signed forward Patrick Kane as an unrestricted free agent. Sprong made the switch to No. 17 for the remainder of his tenure with the Red Wings.
“It’s Patrick Kane, so he can have 88,” Sprong said at the time. “I’ll switch, that’s for sure.
“He made that number a trademark. It’s definitely his.
“I have no problem with switching. That’s his number. He’s been in the league for a long time. He’s a legend in the game and a superstar. No problem, he can have it.”
Sprong wore No. 91 in the NHL with the Seattle Kraken.