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Outpouring of love on Twitter for Mike Ilitch

Red Wings owner, dead at age 87, shown respect by teams, players, fans, media

NHL.com @NHL

Beloved Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch, who also owned Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers and founded the Little Caesars pizza chain, passed away at age 87 on Friday and the outpouring of love showed on social media.

NHL teams and players (both former and current) were not the only ones to pay their respects as fans, media personalities and others tweeted about Ilitch , a man who lived one incredible life.

Here is a small sampling of the reaction:

Tweet from @DetroitRedWings: pic.twitter.com/xVEFcEurGw

Tweet from @DeKeyser5: Saddened to hear about the passing of Mr.Ilitch. He was a pleasure to play for and his will to win was second to none. #MrI #Wings #Tigers

Tweet from @Patrick_Eaves: It was an honor to play for Mr. I. My thoughts are with his family. #RedWings https://t.co/O7liBu0TTQ

Tweet from @CanadiensMTL: Our condolences to the @detroitredwings and the Ilitch family on the passing of Mike Ilitch. ��

Tweet from @CarloColaiacovo: Condolences to the Ilitch Family @DetroitRedWings @tigers for the passing of the great Mike Ilitch ��#RIP #Detroit #Legend

Tweet from @lindacohn: So sad to hear about passing of @DetroitRedWings and Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch at the age of 87. Built an amazing NHL franchise.

Tweet from @GMillerTSN: I cannot think of an owner in pro sports who cared more or did more for his community than Mike Ilitch did for Detroit. What a legacy.