Although the Muskegon native played in only two games with the Red Wings, he practiced daily with the team and was able to take a victory lap with the most coveted trophy in all of sports — Lord Stanley’s Cup.

In some ways, the moment brought back memories for the 21-year-old forward, who less than two years earlier was making a similar trip at the 2007 NCAA championship in St. Louis. In that game, Abdelkader scored the game-winning goal with 18.9 seconds left to give MSU its third national championship in school history.

“It’s been such a special and great opportunity to win the Cup and the national championship with MSU,” Abdelkader said. “To win the Cup with the team that I grew up watching and always dreamed of playing for is an amazing feeling.”

The early years

Abdelkader’s hockey career started when he was only 3 years old.

His father, Joseph Abdelkader, placed a plastic mini-stick into his hands and watched him run around the house wreaking havoc. A year later, Justin was on the ice learning to skate with his father coaching from the bench.

“We tried putting Justin in other sports, but eventually he started skating with his friends and it just progressed into a passion for hockey,” Joseph Abdelkader said. “He always had really good hand-eye coordination and he always seemed to be a little bit better than everyone else on the ice.”

When Abdelkader hit the third grade, his father stepped down and handed the coaching reigns to someone who could further develop his son’s skills.

Abdelkader worked his way through the hockey house league ranks in Muskegon and began playing travel hockey in Grand Rapids. Abdelkader excelled at the next level and stood out from the pack, his dad said.

“We did a lot of traveling those early years, because we wanted Justin to play in higher levels of hockey,” Joseph Abdelkader said. “We wanted him to play on a team where he could get better.”

As Abdelkader matured, he built an interest in other sports and developed into a well-rounded athlete. He played basketball throughout middle school and was the starting quarterback for the Muskegon Mona Shores High School’s junior varsity football team.

But in 10th grade, Abdelkader made what he said was one of the best decisions of his life.

“I decided that I wanted to focus on hockey,” he said.

Developing his game

After playing travel hockey through ninth grade, Abdelkader decided to turn up the intensity and join his high school’s varsity hockey team, and in 10th grade, he took his game to the next level under the guidance of his head coach.

“Coach Shawn Zimmerman was the best coach I’ve ever had and he really stressed the two-way game to me,” Abdelkader said. “He was a tough coach and he knew that you had to be able to play on both sides of the ice.”

Abdelkader compiled impressive numbers in high school, totaling 60 goals and 72 assists in two seasons with the varsity squad.

After leading his team to the state championship game his junior season, Abdelkader began receiving the recognition he deserved. In addition to being recognized on the All-State team and the 2004 Michigan Dream Team, Abdelkader earned the prestigious Mr. Hockey award, given to the best high school hockey player in the state.

Instead of playing his senior season at Mona Shores, Abdelkader decided to play junior hockey for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

Mark Carlson, head coach of the RoughRiders, knew right away he had acquired a player that was going to be successful at the next level.

“The first thing I remember about Justin is his hockey sense and how he was so coachable,” Carlson said. “He was a very well-rounded player and competed extremely hard every single day.

“Justin brought great character and a strong work ethic to the team, and on top of that, he had a very high level of skill.”

In 60 games at the junior hockey level, Abdelkader racked up 27 goals and 25 assists, helping the RoughRiders win a United States Hockey League championship.

Life got even sweeter later that year, when Abdelkader was selected in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft by the team he’d always dreamed of playing for — the Detroit Red Wings.

“After I got drafted, I really thought there was a possibility that I could be playing hockey at the end of the road,” Abdelkader said. “It was a great feeling to know that I was going to get a shot with an organization I grew up watching.”

Go Green! Go White!

Chills went down the spine of MSU hockey fans with 1.2 seconds left in the 2007 NCAA championship game, as MSU forward Chris Mueller shot the puck into an empty net to seal the Spartans’ victory. Green gloves and helmets flew through the air and covered the ice like confetti, as opponent Boston College surrendered the remaining time and accepted defeat.

The Spartans had won their first national championship in 21 years, and Abdelkader — who scored the last-minute game-winning goal — was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Frozen Four.

“I’ll never forget that moment when Justin scored — it still feels like yesterday,” MSU head coach Rick Comley said. “The bench just exploded with all of our emotions.”

Comley and Abdelkader spilled their emotions on the Scottrade Center’s ice that night, but their strong relationship dates back to the time they first met, when Abdelkader was 16.

“We went to scout a tournament and really hadn’t heard much about Justin,” Comley said. “But after watching him, we immediately knew that we needed to find out more about him.

“Some kids you just watch and know they are going to be special.”

After a trip to MSU’s campus and a scholarship offer by Comley, Abdelkader was sold on becoming a Spartan.

“My dad and grandpa both went to MSU and I definitely grew up a big MSU fan,” Abdelkader said. “MSU was the school I wanted to go to, even if I wasn’t playing hockey.”

In Abdelkader’s three seasons at MSU, he played in 124 games, totaling 44 goals and 51 assists. His junior season, he was named an assistant captain and was an All-CCHA selection.

Abdelkader’s work ethic and attention to detail helped motivate his teammates to leave everything they had on the ice, former MSU teammate Daniel Vukovic said.

“Justin goes on the ice and gives 100 percent no matter what, and he always picked up his teammates with his positive attitude,” said Vukovic, who graduated from MSU this year. “He pushed the younger guys to get better and he even helped an older guy like me improve.”

Three days after this year’s season-ending loss to Notre Dame in the NCAA West Regional Final, Abdelkader got the call he’d been waiting for his whole life.

Through the wire was Jim Nill, the assistant general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, who asked Abdelkader to play for the Red Wings the following night.

Abdelkader found himself at a vital crossroad.

He could return to the school he loved for his senior season, or sign an amateur tryout contract with the Wings that would allow him to play immediately but force him to forfeit his remaining collegiate eligibility.

“I could see the decision tearing him up,” Joseph Abdelkader said. “He loved everything about MSU and coach Comley, but it was such an amazing opportunity for a local kid to play professionally in his home state.”

The next day, Abdelkader packed his bags and headed to Detroit on April 3 for his professional debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Living the dream

Putting on the Red Wings jersey for the first time was a moment Abdelkader said will stick with him for the rest of his life.

“It was a really exciting time for me,” he said. “My first jersey was a Wings jersey and I was really nervous when I went out on the ice for the first time.”

Abdelkader practiced and traveled with the team throughout the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, gaining extra experience by watching and learning from the veterans.

“I feel that I’ve gotten better in the past two months by practicing at such a high tempo,” Abdelkader said. “All the guys have helped me out a lot and showed me what it’s all about to play in the NHL.”

Despite losing one of his best players, Comley said he’s excited to watch Abdelkader mature in the NHL.

“Physically, Justin was ready and I think he is going to be a very good NHL player,” he said.

“As soon as he gets an opportunity for more ice time, teams will find that he can score more than they think.”

Abdelkader plans to work hard and enter training camp in tip-top shape to improve his standing on Detroit’s roster.

“I want to go in there in the fall and have a good camp and be in the best shape I can possibly be in,” he said.

One small taste of winning the Cup wasn’t enough for Abdelkader, who aims to stay in Hockeytown and keep delivering championships.

“Winning the Cup got me so fired up and I want to win another one here in Detroit,” he said.

“These have been the most exciting times of my life.”