A Detroit, Michigan native, for Mike Ilitch, the sport of hockey has been an integral part of his life for more than three decades. Through his involvement in his Little Caesars Pizza business that Ilitch built from the ground up, as well as amateur and professional sports, he has learned what it takes to create a winning team. Ilitch's commitment to amateur hockey is legendary, as he has sponsored amateur teams since 1968. His Little Caesars AAA Hockey program is one of the most recognized and respected organizations in amateur hockey as in the past 37 years, more than 200,000 youngsters have participated in the Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League and the Little Caesars Amateur Hockey Club and these teams have a proud tradition of success, having captured numerous tournament titles, state championships and national championships. While winning is important, the major goal has always been to develop well-rounded individuals who are prepared for future careers on or off the ice. Currently, 27 alumni of the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club are playing, or have played, in the National Hockey League including current Detroit Red Wing, Derian Hatcher. Additionally, more than 175 other former Little Caesars players have established careers in collegiate hockey or other hockey leagues.

Ilitch and his wife, Marian purchased the Detroit Red Wings franchise from the Norris family in 1982 during one of the NHL Original Six franchise's lowest periods of success on the ice and in the stands. Under Ilitch's direction, the Red Wings have developed into one of professional sports' premier franchises, winning ten Division Championships, four Western Conference Championships, four Presidents' Trophies and three Stanley Cup titles. The Red Wings have a current streak of 367 consecutive sellouts at Joe Louis Arena and were recently voted the No. 1 franchise in the NHL and No. 8 in all of professional sports by ESPN Magazine. That same issue honored Ilitch as the No. 1 owner in all of professional sports.

Ilitch has received Presidential Citations from the Clinton, Bush and Reagan administrations. He has been honored as the recipient of the 1991 Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States and inducted to both the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto in 2003 and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2004