Chris Osgood Draws a Crowd at Oakland Mall

A public autograph signing Friday afternoon drew hundreds of Red Wings fans to Oakland Mall as former Detroit goalie Chris Osgood posed with fans and signed autographs for about two hours at the Motor City Sports Gallery.

Osgood, who announced his retirement in July as a player in the National Hockey League, won three Stanley Cup championships with the Red Wings, is a two-time winner of the William Jennings Trophy, holds the 10th most wins of any goalie in the NHL and is one of only five goalies in the history of the NHL to score a goal on the opposing team.

Fans wished Osgood well and thanked him for his many years playing in Detroit. Since he retired, he has since remained with the Detroit Red Wings organization as a scout. He said injuries wouldn’t allow him to play on at the professional level anymore.

"I always felt I had full support from the fans, even now just walking around and talking to people," Osgood said. "I don't look for it, but it's nice to hear. Playing for them (the fans) was great. It's probably one of the reasons I most miss playing."

Rob Rutledge, of Clinton Township, brought his miniature Stanley Cup to the store at  to be autographed. He said he got the trophy about a year ago and has been collecting autographs of some of the hockey greats.

"I've lived here for three years and have gotten into (hockey) a lot," said Rutledge, who is originally from Florida. "I didn't know what I was missing all these years."

Fans paid $30 for autographs or $10 for an inscription of Osgood's signature.

Dane Slater, a Troy City councilman and a partner with Motor City Sports Gallery, said co-owner Joe Morgan sets up several signings throughout the year, but Friday's was the first since recently moving to the new location from the store on Big Beaver Road, just west of John R.

Morgan, who said business has exploded at the new Oakland Mall location, said he did several signings at the previous location. He hopes to have an autograph signing with former Red Wings players Darren McCarty, Kris Draper and Kirk Malty, AKA The Grind Line.

Osgood, who works with young goalies in the Red Wings organization, said he plans to stick with the scouting position and hopes to be able to land a coaching position with the team one day.

"Right now I enjoy scouting," Osgood said.