In the heart of Hockeytown, a new name is starting to stir up old memories—Max Osgood. The teenage netminder, standing tall between the pipes in Michigan junior leagues, is already being whispered about in the corridors of Little Caesars Arena—not because of who he is yet, but because of who he’s aiming to become. His last name carries weight, echoes of Stanley Cup glory, masked stonewalls, and playoff heroics. His father? None other than Red Wings legend Chris Osgood.
For Red Wings fans, Chris Osgood is etched into Detroit lore. Three Stanley Cups. Nearly 750 NHL games. Clutch saves, a signature helmet, and the unwavering calm of a goaltender who never needed flash to be elite. Now, years after Ozzie hung up his skates, another Osgood is lacing his pads—this time with the dream of rekindling his father’s legacy and carving out a name of his own.
Max Osgood, just 17, is still climbing through the ranks. But scouts are already taking notice. With a hybrid style reminiscent of his father but infused with the modern athleticism today’s game demands, Max is making noise in USHL circles. Coaches praise his hockey IQ, his poise under pressure, and yes—even his puck-handling, a skill that made his father a sneaky threat with the puck.
But Max is more than just a familiar name. Those around him say he brings a tireless work ethic and maturity that goes beyond his age. “He’s got that Osgood mindset—quiet, focused, team-first,” says one scout. “You don’t see many kids who understand the weight of a jersey the way he does.” Growing up around NHL locker rooms and watching game film with a Stanley Cup-winning dad can do that.
For Max, the path to the NHL won’t be easy. The scrutiny is higher. The comparisons will be relentless. Every big save will be stacked up next to highlights of Chris’s glove saves in the ’98 Finals. Every soft goal? Overanalyzed by critics eager to see if he can live up to the name on the back of his jersey. But if there’s one thing clear about Max—it’s that he’s not just here to follow a legacy. He wants to build his own.
The younger Osgood admits he’s inspired by his dad’s career, but he’s laser-focused on the work ahead. “I know people are watching because of my last name,” he said recently in an interview after a 39-save performance. “But I’m just trying to be the best version of myself every day. I want to earn my own spot. I want to wear the Winged Wheel one day because I earned it.”
The Red Wings, always with one eye on homegrown talent and the other on future stars, are surely watching. And fans? They can’t help but dream. Could Max one day suit up in Detroit, just like his dad? Could we see another Osgood lift the Cup in Motown?
It’s far too early to predict. But in a city that lives and breathes hockey history, there’s something poetic about the possibility. The torch may one day be passed, from Chris to Max—from one era of greatness to a new chapter waiting to be written.
And if Max Osgood continues on this path, Detroit may once again chant “Ozzie! Ozzie!” with the same passion—but this time, for a new generation.