Historic Journeys

The Far Middle episode 172 returns to the rink for the installment’s sports dedication, this time honoring Steve Yzerman, affectionately known as "Captain Redwing" or "Stevie Y." Nick reviews Yzerman's historic career, a journey that includes a 19-year captaincy of the Detroit Red Wings, three Stanley Cup victories, Olympic gold medals, and influencing future players like Sidney Crosby. Nick also notes Yzerman's exceptional two-way play, clutch performances, and his status as one of the greatest captains in NHL history.

From “The Captain,” Nick shifts to the episode’s principal topic: the often-overlooked historical significance of hotels. Nick proceeds to present an entertaining look at the historic journey of The Hague’s Hotel Des Indes.

While Nick profiles the more than 150-year legacy of the Hotel Des Indes, he stresses that “you'd be surprised at how many locations offer up scores of hotels that carry fascinating stories within their walls.”

Nick’s discussion parallels and expands upon his recent essay, “History Hiding in Hotels: The Hague’s Hotel Des Indes.”

“There are hundreds of Hotel Des Indes across America and Europe just waiting to be appreciated and decoded,” says Nick. “They’re hiding in plain view. They're entirely missed if one is not aware of it. That's ironic because it's often with or by the person who's in pursuit of the very same history that played out down the street or around the block.”

Far Middle hockey fans, for more hockey insights from Nick, check out past dedications to Martin Brodeur (episode 30), Mario Lemieux (episode 66), the 1980 U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey Team (episode 80), Wayne Gretzky (episode 99), the history of the sport (episode 140), and Gordie Howe (episode 150).