<P> The Cougars made the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in 1929 with Carson Cooper leading the team in scoring . The Cougars were outscored 7--2 in the two - game series with Toronto . </P> <P> In 1930 the team changed its name to the Detroit Falcons as a result of a promotion with a newspaper . They would reach the NHL playoffs for the first time in 1929, losing the series to the Toronto Maple Leafs . However, the team continued to have financial difficulties, and was forced into receivership in 1931 . </P> <P> Chicago grain merchant James E. Norris bought the team in 1932 . His first act was to change the team's name to the Red Wings . Norris believed the new name would help the team curry favor with Detroit's auto industry, and also wanted to pay homage to a hockey team for whom he had played earlier in the century, the Montreal Hockey Club--nicknamed the Winged Wheelers . He also designed the first logo for the Red Wings, which is more or less the same logo that is used today . </P> <P> Under the new name Red Wings, the team began to improve . Carl Voss was named the inaugural recipient of the Calder Trophy as rookie - of - the - year in 1932--33 . The team as a whole also began to enjoy success . They reached the 1934 Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the Chicago Black Hawks . </P>

Where did the red wings get their name