TICKET REFUND INFO FOR CANCELED WINTER CLASSIC

TICKET INFORMATION FOR CANCELED 2013 BRIDGESTONE NHL WINTER CLASSIC AND 2012 SIRIUSXM HOCKEYTOWN WINTER FESTIVAL

…Great Lakes Invitational, American Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League Games Rescheduled…

Detroit, MI... The National Hockey League today announced the cancellation of the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic and 2012 SiriusXM Hockeytown Winter Festival. The NHL has confirmed that the next Winter Classic will be played at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor featuring the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs and will include the Hockeytown Winter Festival at Comerica Park in Detroit.

The Red Wings will communicate with each of their original ticket purchasers via email by Tuesday, November 6 and provide the option of a.) receiving a full refund on tickets and associated fees or b.) maintaining their tickets for future Winter Classic and Winter Festival events.

The cancellation was necessary because, given the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL, the League was not in a position to do all that is necessary to adequately stage events of this magnitude. This year’s Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic and the companion SiriusXM Hockeytown Winter Festival called for the construction of major outdoor rink facilities at both Comerica Park and 'The Big House'. Multiple games involving teams from the NHL, NCAA, American Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, high school and local minor hockey leagues were scheduled, requiring travel and hotel commitments. Beyond the construction of two major outdoor rink facilities, the combined events were preparing to welcome nearly 400,000 guests to Detroit and Ann Arbor over the holiday period.

While all of this year’s Winter Festival events at Comerica Park have been canceled, individual games for the 48th Annual Great Lakes Invitational, the American Hockey League matchup between the Grand Rapids Griffins and Toronto Marlies and the Ontario Hockey League double-header originally slated for Comerica Park have been rescheduled and are on sale as follows:

The 48th Annual Great Lakes Invitational featuring the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University and Western Michigan University will be played at Joe Louis Arena on December 29 and 30. Tickets are currently available at the Joe Louis Arena Box Office (313-396-7575), all Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000) and online at www.OlympiaEntertainment.com

The American Hockey League contest between the Grand Rapids Griffins and Toronto Marlies will be played at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on December 29 at 7:00 p.m. For ticket information, visit WWW.GriffinsHockey.com or call the Griffins at (616) 774-4585.

The Ontario Hockey League double-header becomes two single games at the home teams’ venues on December 29. The London Knights will travel to the Plymouth Whalers at 7:00 p.m. and the Windsor Spitfires will play at the Saginaw Spirit at 7:00 p.m. For ticket information, contact the Whalers at 734-453-8400 or www.PlymouthWhalers.com and the Spirit at 989-497-7747 or www.SaginawSpirit.com

All high school teams scheduled to play at Comerica Park are being contacted in effort to reschedule their games at Joe Louis Arena.

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NHL ANNOUNCES CANCELLATION OF 2012-13 REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE THROUGH NOVEMBER 30

NEW YORK (October 26, 2012) – The National Hockey League announced today the cancellation of the 2012-13 regular-season schedule through November 30 because of the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL.

A total of 326 regular-season games – 26.5 percent of the season -- were scheduled for Oct. 11 through Nov. 30.

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FUNERAL ARRANGMENTS FOR BUDD LYNCH

Visitation:
Friends may call on Friday, October 12, 2012 from 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
A Rosary Service will be held at 7:00 p.m.
Location
R. J. Nixon Funeral Home
2544 Biddle Avenue
Wyandotte, Michigan 48192

Services:
A Mass celebrating his life will be held Saturday, October 13, 2012 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Parish with an Instate from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church
344 Elm
Wyandotte, MI 48192

Memorial contributions are suggested in lieu of flowers:
The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to The Guidance Center's "Budd Lynch Endowment Fund for Children" through the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. Checks should be made payable to "CFSEM" with "Budd Lynch" noted on the memo line. Donation envelopes will be available at R.J. Nixon Funeral Home. Donations can be mailed to The Guidance Center, Attn. Development Dept., 13101 Allen Road, Southgate, MI 48195.

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RED WINGS MOURN THE LOSS OF LONGTIME PLAY-BY-PLAY VOICE AND PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER BUDD LYNCH

... Lynch Spent 63 Years With the Red Wings Organization Beginning in the 1949-50 Season …

Detroit, MI… It is with saddened hearts that the Detroit Red Wings announce the passing of a beloved member of our organization and hockey family, Mr. Frank Joseph James ‘Budd’ Lynch. Budd, the longest-tenured employee in Red Wings history at 63 years, passed away this morning after a brief illness at a local rehabilitation center. He was 95-years-old. Budd is survived by his six daughters Janis, Valerie, Mary, Francey, Patricia and Lori.

Born in Windsor, Ont., on August 7, 1917, Budd Lynch began his broadcasting career shortly after finishing high school when he joined the radio station CHML in Hamilton, Ont., in 1936. After one year at CHML, Budd moved to CKOC in Hamilton, covering both the news and sports. Lynch put his broadcasting career on hold in 1939 when he volunteered to serve in the Canadian Army as a young Major of the Essex Scottish Regiment in World War II. In 1944, he lost his right arm and shoulder at the hands of enemy fire shortly following the D-Day invasion at Normandy. Despite the injury ending his field service to the infantry unit, Lynch decided to put his broadcasting skills to work and he contributed to the BBC throughout the remainder of the war.

Once he returned from overseas, Lynch resumed his radio career and was hired by CKLW in his native Windsor to be the play-by-play voice of the Windsor Spitfires and the Sports Director of CKLW. He called Spitfires games in 1948-49 before being hired away by WWJ in Detroit. It was then that Detroit general manager Jack Adams suggested Lynch should call television games for the Red Wings, a position he started during the 1949-50 National Hockey League season. Over the next five seasons, Lynch had the pleasure of calling four Stanley Cup championships in the Motor City (1950, ’52, ’54 and ’55). He handled the play-by-play action, while men such as Fred Huber and Sid Abel helped with the color commentary. In 1960, Al Nagler, the radio play-by-play voice of the Red Wings, stepped down from his position and Lynch assumed the role. Gene Osborn and then Bruce Martyn provided color commentary for Lynch on radio broadcasts, a position he held for the next 15 years. After 25 seasons in the television and radio booths, Lynch attempted a retirement but was brought back to the team by general manager Alex Delvecchio as the director of publicity. He served in this role until a second retirement attempt failed in 1985 and Lynch was asked by Marian Ilitch to stay on as the team’s public address announcer at Joe Louis Arena. Lynch was in this role for each of Detroit’s last four Stanley Cup runs (1997, ’98, 2002, ’08).

“Budd Lynch was a dear member of the Detroit Red Wings family and legendary icon of our community,” said Red Wings’ owner Mike Ilitch. “Hearing Budd’s voice on the radio and over the public address at Joe Louis Arena was something that every Red Wings fan looked forward to and loved. His calm, friendly and distinguished voice was symbolic of who Budd was as a person. He always had a smile on his face, an upbeat spark in his voice and a kind and encouraging word for everyone he met. The Red Wings, our fans and the entire hockey world will miss Budd’s renowned voice, but most of all we will miss a dear friend. Marian and I, and our entire organization, extend our deepest sympathies to Budd’s daughters, loved ones and the entire Lynch family.”

Budd received numerous awards and accolades for his career accomplishments and his outstanding talents as a radio and television broadcaster. In 1985, he was honored by the NHL Broadcasters Association with the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award at the Hockey Hall of Fame. Nine years later, Lynch was enshrined into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. In 2005, he was given the Ty Tyson Award for excellence in broadcasting by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association. Lynch chronicled his illustrious career and all that he witnessed in his time with the Red Wings by compiling the book “My Life: From Normandy to Hockeytown” in 2008. The Red Wings host a group of 20 military veterans and active members on leave at each Red Wings home game in the Budd Lynch Veterans Suite, named in his honor in 2009.

“Budd Lynch will forever be synonymous with the Detroit Red Wings,” said Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland. “He experienced it all in his 63 years with the organization – from the glory days of Howe, Lindsay, Abel and Delvecchio all the way to the championship runs of Yzerman and Lidstrom. He had a vast knowledge of the game and the stories he could tell would have anyone who loves the sport mesmerized for hours. Budd was one-of-a-kind, not only in his talents as a broadcaster, but in the way he lived his life and the upbeat attitude he always carried. He will be sorely missed by everyone in the Red Wings family.”

Click on the links below for a three part interview IPM did with Mr. Lynch when he celebrated his 60th anniversary with the Detroit Red Wings.
Part I
Part II
Part III

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RED WINGS TO HOLD SPECIAL OPEN SKATE AT JOE LOUIS ARENA ON HOLIDAY MONDAY

… Fans Invited to Spend Columbus Day/Canadian Thanksgiving at JLA; Admission & Parking Free; Discounted Concessions Items Available …

Detroit, MI…As part of their ongoing ‘Hockeytown Thanks’ initiative, the Detroit Red Wings will be hosting a special open skate at The Joe this coming Monday, October 8 – Thanksgiving in Canada and Columbus Day in the United States. Beginning at 10:00 a.m., fans from both sides of the border are invited to visit The Joe and experience the thrill of skating on the same ice surface as the 11-time Stanley Cup champs. Four (4) one-hour skating sessions will be held, with the final session ending at 2:00 p.m.

Complimentary parking will be available at Joe Louis Arena’s Riverfront Lot on Monday. Fans are asked to bring their own skates as rental skates will NOT be available. Helmets are strongly encouraged, especially for skaters aged 10 and under. Attendees will also be permitted to bring their own food which can be consumed on the JLA concourse. Limited food service will be available at select arena concession stands, including special $1 hot dogs/popcorn/soft drinks. Arena doors will open 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the event while hockey sticks and pucks will not be permitted on the ice surface under any circumstances.Mandatory pre-registration for Monday’s special open skate is currently taking place online at www.DetroitRedWings.com/OpenSkate  and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

ABOUT HOCKEYTOWN THANKS
As part of their ongoing commitment to fostering the best overall fan experience in pro sports, the Detroit Red Wings periodically ‘thank’ their passionate supporters by producing unique experiences and engaging events for citizens of Hockeytown to enjoy. Information on all of the Red Wings’ latest activities, including Hockeytown Thanks programs, can be obtained by following the club on Facebook or Twitter, subscribing to the team’s official e-newsletter at DetroitRedWings.com or by texting ‘WINGS’ to 21732.

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RED WINGS’ LONGTIME TEAM DOCTOR TO SIGN BOOKS AT HOCKEYTOWN AUTHENTICS IN TROY ON SATURDAY

… Hockey Hall of Famer Bill Gadsby Also set to Appear at Official Store of the Red Wings; Dr. John Finley’s Memoir Currently Available for Purchase From Triumph Books …

Detroit, MI... Dr. John Finley, former team doctor of the Detroit Red Wings, will be signing copies of his recently-released memoir Hockeytown Doc: A Half-Century of Red Wings Stories from Howe to Yzerman this coming Saturday, October 6 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Hockeytown Authentics (1845 East Big Beaver Road) in Troy, Mich. Joining Dr. Finley on Saturday will be former Red Wings defenseman and Hockey Hall of Fame member Bill Gadsby, who will also autograph copies of Hockeytown Doc for store patrons.

ABOUT DR. JOHN FINLEY’S MEMOIR HOCKEYTOWN DOC

Reflecting on nearly five decades with the Detroit Red Wings, Dr. John Finley takes sports fans far beyond closed doors and into the trainer’s room where cuts were bandaged, broken noses were reset, sore muscles were rubbed out, and casts made for broken bones. In this stellar memoir, Dr. Finley recounts his experiences with the stars on the revitalized Red Wings franchise in recent years, including Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidstrom, as well as heroes of previous generations, including 1972 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Gordie Howe, who wrote the foreword to Hockeytown Doc. Along the way, Dr. Finley shares some of the most vivid accounts ever written on the subject of sports injuries, including the hundreds of stitches he applied to Borje Salming’s face after it was cut by Gerard Gallant’s errant skate blade, as well as his recommendation on the knee injury sustained by a young Steve Yzerman that ultimately helped maintain his Hall of Fame career.

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NHL ANNOUNCES CANCELLATION OF REMAINDER OF PRESEASON SCHEDULE

NEW YORK (September 27, 2012) – The National Hockey League announced today the cancellation of the remainder of the 2012 preseason schedule.

The cancellation of the preseason schedule was necessary because of the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL.

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First Casualty of NHL CBA Talks

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RED WINGS CANCEL 2012 PROSPECTS TOURNAMENT

… Annual Traverse City Event will Return in 2013 …

Detroit, MI...Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President/General Manager Ken Holland today announced that the Red Wings will not host their annual NHL Prospects Tournament at the Centre ICE Arena in Traverse City, Mich.

“The Red Wings, the staff at Centre ICE Arena and the countless volunteers throughout the Traverse City area have worked hand-in-hand to develop one of the most popular and professionally operated prospects tournaments in all of hockey,” said Holland. “Due to the uncertainty surrounding the collective bargaining agreement and the advance commitments required from the various parties including hotels, airlines, teams, players and their families, etc. we have determined that it is in everyone’s best interest to cancel this year’s tournament. The Red Wings and the seven other NHL teams that were scheduled to participate are committed to returning to Traverse City in 2013 and continuing with this tremendous tournament.”

The eight teams that were scheduled to participate include the Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues.

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THREE MEMBERS OF RED WINGS’ RECORD-SETTING 1995-96 SQUAD ADDED TO ROSTER FOR ALUMNI SHOWDOWN WITH MAPLE LEAFS

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… Paul Coffey, Mathieu Dandenault and Martin Lapointe to don the Winged Wheel Once Again; Toronto Adds Bryan McCabe, Gary Roberts and Lanny McDonald …

Detroit, MI… The Detroit Red Wings® and Toronto Maple Leafs® today announced the addition of six total players who will participate in the festivities surrounding the 2012 Maple Leafs vs. Red Wings Alumni Showdown™ on December 31 at Comerica Park™ as part of the 2012 SiriusXM Hockeytown Winter Festival™. Detroit has added defensemen Paul Coffey and Mathieu Dandenault as well as forward Martin Lapointe; all three players were members of the Red Wings during the team’s record-setting campaign of 1995-96 during which Detroit won a total of 62 games – still the highest single-season total in NHL history. Toronto, meanwhile, has announced the addition of former star wingers Gary Roberts and Lanny McDonald as well as defenseman Bryan McCabe. Between the three of them, McDonald, Roberts and McCabe recorded 2,443 points (1083G-1360A) in 4,470 combined career NHL games.

Detroit’s top choice (first round, 10th overall) at the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, Lapointe spent ten years with the Red Wings franchise, winning two Stanley Cups (1997 and 1998) and appearing in 552 games for the club (108G-122A-230P). He is currently tied for 25th place on the team’s all-time playoff scoring list with 39 points (17G-22A) in 86 games. The speedy two-way winger was also a member of Team Canada at the 1991, 1992 and 1993 IIHF World Junior Championships, capturing Gold in his first and final appearances at the tournament. Lapointe also represented his country at the 2001 IIHF World Championships in Germany. In addition to the Red Wings, Lapointe also played for the Bruins, Blackhawks and Senators in his 991-game career, retiring in 2008 with 381 points on 181 goals and 200 assists.

Arguably one of the best pure skaters in league history, Coffey put up truly astounding numbers during his esteemed NHL career. The Weston, Ontario, native tallied 1409GP-396G-1135A-1531P over the course of 20 seasons with Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Detroit, Hartford, Chicago, Carolina and Boston, winning three Norris Trophies as the league’s top blue-liner as well as four Stanley Cup championships en route to earning a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame (inducted in 2004). The 48 goals Coffey scored for the Oilers in 1985-86 remains an NHL record for defensemen as does his 28-game point streak from the same season.

Selected by Detroit in the second round (49th overall) of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Dandenault spent nine seasons in Hockeytown between 1995 and 2004 and was a part of three Stanley Cup championships with the club (1997, 1998 & 2002). The 6’1”, 200-lb. rearguard registered 48G-101A-149P in 616 career games with the Red Wings. In 2003, Dandenault helped Team Canada capture Gold at the IIHF World Championships in Finland, tallying 9GP-2G-3A-5P in the tournament.

Updated alumni rosters for Toronto and Detroit can be found below. Further roster for both teams will be announced in the coming weeks.

DETROIT RED WINGS ALUMNI:

Dino Ciccarelli
Chris Chelios
Chris Osgood
Alex Delvecchio
Paul Coffey
Mike Vernon
Kris Draper
Mathieu Dandenault
Sergei Fedorov
Viacheslav Fetisov
Joe Kocur
Mark Howe
Martin Lapointe
Vladimir Konstantinov
Igor Larionov
Larry Murphy
Ted Lindsay
Kirk Maltby
Darren McCarty
John Ogrodnick
Mickey Redmond
Luc Robitaille

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS ALUMNI:
Dave Andreychuk
Dave Ellett
Johnny Bower
Wendel Clark
Jim McKenny
Curtis Joseph
Russ Courtnall
Bryan McCabe
Mike Palmateer
Vincent Damphousse
Bob McGill
Felix Potvin
Bill Derlago
Ron Ellis
Doug Gilmour
Gary Leeman
Kevin Maguire
Lanny McDonald
Gary Roberts
Darryl Sittler
Darcy Tucker
Rick Vaive

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RED WINGS SIGN JURCO TO ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT

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… Winger Enjoyed Standout Junior Career, has Skated at Several International Events …

Detroit, MI...The Detroit Red Wings today announced that 19-year-old forward Tomas Jurco has been signed to a three-year entry-level contract. In accordance with club policy, no further details regarding this deal will be disclosed.

Detroit’s top pick (second round, 35th overall) at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Jurco has spent the past three seasons with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 172 career QMJHL games, Jurco tallied 175 points (87G-88A) in addition to a plus/minus rating of +126. The 6’2”, 193-lb. winger also went 16-for-19 (84.2%) in post-overtime shootouts during his tenure in Saint John.

Originally selected by the Sea Dogs in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2009 CHL Import Draft, Jurco enjoyed significant postseason success throughout his major junior career, tallying 26G-38A-64P in 56 President’s Cup Playoff contests. Jurco also registered 6G-2A-8P in eight career Memorial Cup appearances, helping Saint John win the prestigious title in 2011.

A native of Kosice, Slovakia, Jurco has represented his home country at several international tournaments, including the 2011 and 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships (11GP-2G-7A-9P combined total) and the 2009 IIHF World U-18 Championships at which he tied for the team lead in scoring with 2G-3A-5P in six games played. Prior to joining the Sea Dogs, Jurco spent several years in HC Kosice’s development program, leading their U-20 club in scoring (51GP-24G-30A-54P) as a 16-year-old during his final season in Europe (2008-09).

Tomas Jurco
Right Wing
Born Dec 28 1992 -- Kosice, Slovakia
Height 6.02 -- Weight 193 -- Shoots L
Selected by Detroit Red Wings round 2 #35 overall 2011 NHL Entry Draft

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ADDITIONS TO MAPLE LEAFS AND RED WINGS ALUMNI SQUADS ANNOUNCED

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… Four Members of ‘The Russian Five’ Join Wings Alumni; Maple Leafs Add Six Including All-Stars Leeman and Damphousse …

Detroit, MI… The Detroit Red Wings® and Toronto Maple Leafs® today announced the addition of nine total players that will participate in the festivities surrounding the 2012 Maple Leafs vs. Red Wings Alumni Showdown™ on December 31 at Comerica Park™, part of the 2012 SiriusXM Hockeytown Winter Festival™. The Wings confirmed four members of Detroit’s famed ‘Russian Five’ with Viacheslav Fetisov, Igor Larionov, Vladimir Konstantinov and Sergei Fedorov. Toronto added 50-goal scorer Gary Leeman, Russ Courtnall, Bill Derlago, Bob McGill and all-stars Vincent Damphousse and Dave Ellett.

Comprised of a quintet of Soviet-born players, Detroit’s ‘Russian Five’ played a major role in the Red Wings’ late-1990s success. Assembled by legendary coach Scotty Bowman to play as a five-man unit, the unit proved to be a formidable force during their brief time together (1995-98). Confounding opposing teams by appropriating the fast, control-based style of play that had made the USSR an international powerhouse for several decades, the ‘Russian Five’ helped Detroit end a 42-year Stanley Cup draught in 1997 and repeated the feat in ’98 following the loss of Konstantinov in a tragic car accident that prematurely ended his career. Both Fetisov (2001) and Larionov (2008) were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The six Maple Leafs boast a total NHL experience of 5,463 games played, led by Damphousse with 1,378; and 5,276 penalty minutes, including McGill’s 1,766 PIMs. The six former Leafs also combined for 1,287 goals and 3,471 points in their NHL careers.

Players thus far announced for Detroit’s roster include 50-goal scorers Mickey Redmond and John Ogrodnick; Hall of Famers Luc Robitaille, Dino Ciccarelli, Chris Chelios, Larry Murphy and Mark Howe; all four members of ‘The Grind Line’ – Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby, Darren McCarty and Joe Kocur; Stanley Cup-winning goaltenders Chris Osgood and Mike Vernon; Red Wings legends Ted Lindsay and Alex Delvecchio; and Russian Five members Viacheslav Fetisov, Igor Larionov and Vladimir Konstantinov.

Members of the Toronto Maple Leafs® alumni currently scheduled to participate on New Year’s Eve at Comerica Park™ include: Hockey Hall of Famer Darryl Sittler; 50-goal scorers Rick Vaive and Gary Leeman; fan favorites Darcy Tucker, Felix Potvin, Mike Palmateer, Kevin Maguire, Vincent Damphousse, Russ Courtnall, Dave Ellett, Bill Derlago and Bob McGill; Stanley Cup champions Dave Andreychuk and Doug Gilmour; rough-and-tumble winger Wendel Clark; 454-win goaltender Curtis Joseph; and Maple Leafs® legends Johnny Bower, Ron Ellis and Jim McKenny.

Further alumni will be announced in the coming weeks.

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COACHES FOR MAPLE LEAFS AND RED WINGS ALUMNI SQUADS ANNOUNCED

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… Bowman and Smith, Kelly and Quinn to Reunite Behind the Bench on New Year’s Eve at Comerica Park™ …

Detroit, MI… The Detroit Red Wings® and Toronto Maple Leafs® today announced that former Detroit coaches Scotty Bowman and Barry Smith will be behind the bench against former Toronto coaches Red Kelly and Pat Quinn at the 2012 Maple Leafs vs. Red Wings Alumni Showdown™ on December 31 at Comerica Park™, part of the 2012 SiriusXM Hockeytown Winter Festival™.

The winningest bench boss in NHL history with 1,244 career victories, Bowman has been a part of 12 Stanley Cup-winning teams, including a league-record nine as a head coach. Bowman helped direct the Red Wings to three Cup titles (1997, 1998 & 2002) and retired from coaching while skating with the Cup following Detroit’s 10th Stanley Cup in 2002. Smith was with the Red Wings from 1994-2005 and was part of three Stanley Cup championship teams with Detroit following two titles as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Red Kelly, the eight-time Stanley Cup winner and first James Norris Memorial Trophy recipient, coached Toronto to four consecutive playoff appearances from 1973 to 1977. He will join forces with the NHL’s fourth winningest coach and two-time Jack Adams Award winner Pat Quinn, who also led Team Canada to back-to-back world titles with a gold medal in the 2002 Olympics followed by the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

Player thus far announced for Detroit’s roster include 50-goal scorers Mickey Redmond and John Ogrodnick; Hall of Famers Luc Robitaille, Dino Ciccarelli, Chris Chelios, Larry Murphy and Mark Howe; all four members of ‘The Grind Line’ – Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby, Darren McCarty and Joe Kocur; Stanley Cup-winning goaltenders Chris Osgood and Mike Vernon; and Red Wings legends Ted Lindsay and Alex Delvecchio.

Members of the Toronto Maple Leafs® alumni currently scheduled to participate on New Year’s Eve at Comerica Park™ include: Hockey Hall of Famer Darryl Sittler; 50-goal scorer Rick Vaive; fan favorites Darcy Tucker, Felix Potvin, Mike Palmateer and Kevin Maguire; Stanley Cup champions Dave Andreychuk and Doug Gilmour; rough-and-tumble winger Wendel Clark; 454-win goaltender Curtis Joseph; and Maple Leafs® legends Johnny Bower, Ron Ellis and Jim McKenny.

Further alumni will be announced in the coming weeks.

A limited number of 2012 Maple Leafs vs. Red Wings Alumni Showdown™ tickets will be made available in mid-August via ticket lottery. 2012 SiriusXM Hockeytown Winter Festival™ GLI, AHL and OHL tickets will go on sale in late August.

2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® tickets are currently available for Red Wings® and Maple Leafs® season ticket holders as part of a pre-sale process. Additional ticket information will be released at a later date.

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QUINCEY AGREES TO TERMS ON TWO-YEAR CONTRACT WITH WINGS

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… Defenseman has Appeared in 257 Career NHL Games for Detroit, Colorado and L.A. …

Detroit, MI...The Detroit Red Wings today announced that free agent defenseman Kyly Quincey has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the team. In accordance with club policy, additional terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

"We're very pleased to agree to terms with Kyle and avoid arbitration,” says Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Holland. “We drafted Kyle in 2003, watched him develop into a solid NHL defenseman and look forward to having him in a Detroit uniform for the next two seasons."

Originally selected by Detroit in the fourth round (132nd overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Quincey has tallied 95 points (18G-77A) in 257 career games played for the Red Wings, Kings and Avalanche. Re-acquired by the Red Wings last season in a three-team deal with Colorado and Tampa Bay, Quincey appeared in 72 total games for the Red Wings and Avalanche, finishing with 7G-19A-26P in addition to 89 penalty minutes and 168 shots on goal.

Kyle Quincey
Defense
Born Aug 12 1985 -- Kitchener, ONT
Height 6.02 -- Weight 206 -- Shoots L

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RED WINGS NAME TOM RENNEY ASSOCIATE COACH

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... Veteran Brings Over 15 Years of Coaching Experience to Detroit’s Staff …

Detroit, MI... Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Holland today announced that the club has hired Tom Renney as associate coach. Renney fills the vacancy created when former Assistant Coach Jeff Blashill accepted the head coaching position with Detroit’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Renney has agreed to a three-year deal with the club. As per team policy, additional terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Renney, 57, spent the past three seasons with the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers. He joined the Oilers’ staff as an associate coach prior to the 2009-10 season. After just one season, Renney took over the reigns as the 10th head coach in franchise history on June 22, 2010. In his first campaign as head coach, the Cranbrook, B.C., native led the rebuilding Oilers to a 25-45-12 record. In total, Renney compiled a 57-85-22 record over two seasons as the bench boss of the young Edmonton squad.

Prior to his time in Edmonton, Renney spent nine seasons in various roles with the New York Rangers. During his first two seasons in Manhattan, Renney served as Director of Player Personnel where he oversaw the team’s amateur scouts and provided assistance to New York’s professional scouting department. Renney was promoted to Vice President, Player Development in 2002 and joined the Rangers’ coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2003. After a brief stint as interim head coach at the end of the 2003-04 season, Renney was officially named the 33rd head coach in Rangers history on July 6, 2004. He led the Blueshirts to three consecutive 40-win seasons and guided the team to a 164-121-42 record over 327 games from 2005-08.

Renney first broke into the NHL as the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks in 1996-97. He spent parts of two seasons with the Canucks, compiling a 39-53-9 record over 101 games. Renney made the move to Vancouver following his two-year tenure with Hockey Canada, serving as the head coach of the Canadian National Team that went on to capture a silver medal at the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway.

Renney began his coaching career behind the bench of the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League in 1990. In two seasons with Kamloops, he led the Blazers to a 101-37-6 record, back-to-back WHL titles and a Memorial Cup championship in 1992.

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RED WINGS SIGN DAMIEN BRUNNER TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT

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… Winger Was Named Forward of the Year in Switzerland’s National League A for 2011-12 …

Detroit, MI...The Detroit Red Wings today announced that free agent forward Damien Brunner has signed a one-year contract with the team. In accordance with club policy, additional terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

Brunner, 26, has spent the past four seasons with EV Zug of Switzerland’s National League A where he has recorded 190 points (78G-112A) in 167 games played. In 2011-12, Brunner led the NLA in scoring with 60 points (24G-36A) in 45 games en route to being named the league’s top forward. The 5’10”, 176-lb. winger has played for Team Switzerland at two of the last three IIHF World Championships (2010 & 2012), totaling 14P-4G-8A-12P over the course of the two tournaments.

Damien Brunner
Right Wing
Born Mar 9 1986 -- Oberlunkhofen, SUI
Height 5.10 -- Weight 176

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RED WINGS AND FORWARD MIKAEL SAMUELSSON AGREE TO TERMS ON TWO-YEAR DEAL

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... Swedish Winger was Part of Detroit’s run to the 2008 Stanley Cup …

Detroit, MI... Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Holland today announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Mikael Samuelsson on a two-year deal. In accordance with team policy, additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Samuelsson, 35, was originally a fifth-round selection (145th overall) of the San Jose Sharks in the 1998 National Hockey League Entry Draft. The Mariefred, Sweden, native has appeared in 669 career games with the San Jose Sharks, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings. His NHL career totals include 148 goals, 194 assists, 342 points and 364 PIM. In 99 career postseason games, Samuelsson has collected 58 points (22G-36A-58P) and 60 PIM. The 6-2, 218-lb. right winger skated last season with the Florida Panthers, posting 28 points (13G-15A-28P) in 48 games. He missed 25 games in 2011-12 due to injury.

Samuelsson previously spent four seasons in the Motor City from 2005-06 through 2008-09. He was a part of Detroit’s run to the 2008 Stanley Cup championship and its return trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2009. He has appeared in 278 regular season games for the Red Wings, notching 159 points (67G-92A-159P). Samuelsson has also donned the winged wheel in 69 career postseason games, collecting 35 points (13G-22A-35P).

Mikael Samuelsson, Right Wing
Born Dec 23 1976 -- Mariefred, Sweden
Height 6.02 -- Weight 218 -- Shoots L

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RED WINGS AND JORDIN TOOTOO AGREE TO TERMS ON THREE-YEAR CONTRACT

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… Gritty Forward has Appeared in 486 Career NHL Games with Nashville …

Detroit, MI... The Detroit Red Wings today announced that free agent forward Jordin Tootoo has agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the team. In accordance with club policy, additional terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

Originally selected by Nashville in the fourth round (98th overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Tootoo has spent his entire professional career with the Predators franchise, tallying 46G-79A-125P in addition to 725 penalty minutes. Tootoo, 29, also has also registered 23G-26A-49P-399PIM in 100 appearances with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL).

A native of Churchill, MB, Tootoo captured a Silver Medal with Team Canada at the 2003 IIHF World Junior Championships, recording 6GP-2G-1A-3P in the tournament. The 5’9”, 194-lb. winger enjoyed a standout junior career with the Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL), tallying 209 points (93G-116A) in 220 games. In his final season with Brandon (2002-03), Tootoo was named a WHL East First Team All-Star after netting 35 goals and dishing out 39 assists for 74 points in only 51 games played.

Jordin Tootoo
Right Wing
Born Feb 2 1983 -- Churchill, MAN
Height 5.09 -- Weight 194 -- Shoots R
Selected by Nashville Predators round 4 #98 overall 2001 NHL Entry Draft

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GUSTAVSSON AGREES TO TERMS ON TWO-YEAR CONTRACT WITH WINGS

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… Swedish-Born Goaltender has Appeared in 107 Career NHL Games with the Maple Leafs …

Detroit, MI...The Detroit Red Wings today announced that free agent goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the team. In accordance with club policy, additional terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

Gustavsson has been a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs for the past three seasons, amassing a record of 39-45-15 to go along with a 2.98 GAA and .900 SV% in 107 appearances with the Eastern Conference club. The 27-year-old native of Danderyd, Sweden has also made five career starts in the American Hockey League, going 3-1-1 for the Toronto Marlies while registering a 1.14 GAA and a SV% of .955.

Prior to his tenure in Toronto, Gustavsson won the Guldpucken Award as the Swedish Elite League’s top player in 2008-09 after leading the league in SV% (.931) and GAA (1.96) prior to backstopping Färjestad BK to a Le Mat Trophy as SEL champions. The 6’3”, 192-lb. netminder also led Team Sweden to back-to-back bronze medals at the 2009 and 2010 IIHF World Championships and represented his country at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Jonas Gustavsson
Goalie
Born Oct 24 1984 -- Danderyd, Sweden
Height 6.03 -- Weight 192 -- Shoots L

Season Team Lge GP Min GA EN SO GAA W L T Svs Pct
2007-08 Farjestads BK Karlstad SEL 20 1102 44 0 2 2.40 0 0 0 501 0.919
2008-09 Farjestads BK Karlstad SEL 42 2475 81 0 3 1.96 0 0 0 1101 0.931
2009-10 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 42 2340 112 5 1 2.87 16 15 9 1034 0.902
2010-11 Toronto Marlies AHL 5 263 5 0 0 1.14 3 1 1 105 0.955
2010-11 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 23 1242 68 1 0 3.29 6 13 2 552 0.890
2011-12 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 42 2301 112 2 4 2.92 17 17 4 1035 0.902
NHL Totals 107 5882 292 8 5 2.98 39 45 15 2621 0.900

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RED WINGS ANNOUNCE 2012-13 SCHEDULE

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… Detroit Will Host All Five “Original Six” Opponents …

Detroit, MI…The Detroit Red Wings today announced their 2012-13 schedule that includes the Wings playing host to all five “Original Six” opponents and the much-anticipated Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® at Michigan Stadium vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs. In addition to the “Original Six” matchups, Detroit will play host to Eastern Conference rivals Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals and Martin Brodeur and the Stanley Cup finalist New Jersey Devils.

Western Conference highlights include an opening night rematch with last year’s playoff foe Nashville, the traditional night before Thanksgiving game vs. the defending Central Division champion St. Louis Blues and a “no love lost” Valentine’s Day surrounded by matches vs. rivals Chicago and Colorado.

Fans can still lock in great low prices for the 2012-13 season and guarantee the right to purchase tickets to the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® (Detroit vs. Toronto – January 1 at Michigan Stadium) by becoming a Red Wings season ticket holder.


DETROIT RED WINGS
2012-13 PRESEASON
DATE DAY OPPONENT SITE TIME (ET)

September
26 Wed. at Pittsburgh CONSOL Energy Center 7:00
28 Fri. at Chicago United Center 8:30
29 Sat. CHICAGO Joe Louis Arena 7:00
30 Sun. WASHINGTON Joe Louis Arena 5:00

October
3 Wed. PITTSBURGH Joe Louis Arena 7:30
5 Fri. TORONTO Joe Louis Arena 7:30
6 Sat. at Toronto Air Canada Centre 7:00
7 Sun. at Washington Verizon Center 5:00

2012-13 REGULAR SEASON
DATE DAY OPPONENT SITE TIME (ET)

October
12 Fri. NASHVILLE Joe Louis Arena 7:30
16 Tue. at Buffalo First Niagara Center 7:00
18 Thur. at St. Louis Scottrade Center 8:00
20 Sat. at Chicago United Center 8:30
22 Mon. VANCOUVER Joe Louis Arena 6:00
23 Tue. at Columbus Nationwide Arena 7:00
26 Fri. SAN JOSE Joe Louis Arena 7:00
27 Sat. at Winnipeg MTS Centre 7:00
30 Tue. at Vancouver Rogers Arena 10:00

November
1 Thur. at Calgary Scotiabank Saddeldome 9:30
3 Sat. at Edmonton Rexall Place 3:30
6 Tue. EDMONTON Joe Louis Arena 7:30
9 Fri. CALGARY Joe Louis Arena 7:30
10 Sat. MINNESOTA Joe Louis Arena 7:00
13 Tue. DALLAS Joe Louis Arena 7:30
15 Thur. NEW JERSEY Joe Louis Arena 7:30
17 Sat. at Minnesota Xcel Energy Center 8:00
19 Mon. PITTSBURGH Joe Louis Arena 7:30
21 Wed. ST. LOUIS Joe Louis Arena 7:30
23 Fri. at Florida BankAtlantic Center 7:30
24 Sat. at Tampa Bay Tampa Bay Times Forum 7:00
27 Tue. PHOENIX Joe Louis Arena 7:30
29 Thur. LOS ANGELES Joe Louis Arena 7:30

December
1 Sat. SAN JOSE Joe Louis Arena 7:00
4 Tue. COLORADO Joe Louis Arena 7:30
7 Fri. WASHINGTON Joe Louis Arena 7:30
10 Mon. BOSTON Joe Louis Arena 7:30
13 Thur. PHOENIX Joe Louis Arena 7:30
15 Sat. at Nashville Bridgestone Arena 8:00
18 Tue. LOS ANGELES Joe Louis Arena 7:30
20 Thur. NY ISLANDERS Joe Louis Arena 7:30
22 Sat. COLUMBUS Joe Louis Arena 7:00
26 Wed. at Carolina PNC Arena 7:00
27 Thur. at Pittsburgh CONSOL Energy Center 7:00
29 Sat. at Ottawa Scotiabank Place 7:00

January
1 Tue. TORONTO Michigan Stadium 1:00
4 Fri. NASHVILLE Joe Louis Arena 7:30
6 Sun. at Chicago United Center 8:00
9 Wed. at San Jose HP Pavilion 10:30
12 Sat. at Los Angeles Staples Center 10:30
13 Sun. at Anaheim Honda Center 8:00
15 Tue. at Phoenix Jobing.com Arena 9:00
17 Thur. VANCOUVER Joe Louis Arena 7:30
20 Sun. at St. Louis Scottrade Center 7:30
22 Tue. CALGARY Joe Louis Arena 7:30
ALL-STAR BREAK
30 Wed. MONTREAL Joe Louis Arena 7:30

February
1 Fri. ST. LOUIS Joe Louis Arena 7:30
2 Sat. at Philadelphia Wells Fargo Center 7:00
5 Tue. COLUMBUS Joe Louis Arena 7:30
7 Thur. at Phoenix Jobing.com Arena 9:00
8 Fri. at Dallas America Airlines Center 8:00
10 Sun. at St. Louis Scottrade Center 7:30
13 Wed. CHICAGO Joe Louis Arena 7:30
15 Fri. COLORADO Joe Louis Arena 7:30
17 Sun. at Minnesota Xcel Energy Center 7:30
19 Tue. at Chicago United Center 8:30
21 Thur. at New Jersey Prudential Center 7:00
22 Fri. ANAHEIM Joe Louis Arena 7:30
25 Mon. at Los Angeles Staples Center 10:30
27 Wed. at Anaheim Honda Center 10:00
28 Thur. at San Jose HP Pavilion 10:30

March
3 Sun. CHICAGO Joe Louis Arena 7:30
6 Wed. EDMONTON Joe Louis Arena 7:30
8 Fri. at Columbus Nationwide Arena 7:00
9 Sat. COLUMBUS Joe Louis Arena 7:00
13 Wed. at Calgary Scotiabank Saddledome 9:30
15 Fri. at Edmonton Rexall Place 9:30
16 Sat. at Vancouver Rogers Arena 10:00
18 Mon. ANAHEIM Joe Louis Arena 7:30
20 Wed. NY RANGERS Joe Louis Arena 7:30
22 Fri. DALLAS Joe Louis Arena 7:30
24 Sun. at Colorado Pepsi Center 8:00
26 Tue. NASHVILLE Joe Louis Arena 7:30
28 Thur. at Nashville Bridgestone Arena 8:00
29 Fri. at Dallas American Airlines Center 8:00
31 Sun. CHICAGO Joe Louis Arena 7:30

April
2 Tue. at Columbus Nationwide Arena 7:00
5 Fri. WINNIPEG Joe Louis Arena 7:30
7 Sun. ST. LOUIS Joe Louis Arena 7:30
9 Tue. MINNESOTA Joe Louis Arena 7:30
11 Thur. at Nashville Bridgestone Arena 8:00
13 Sat. at Colorado Pepsi Center 3:00

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RED WINGS AND FORWARD DARREN HELM AGREE TO TERMS ON FOUR-YEAR DEAL

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... Speedy Center to Remain in Hockeytown Through 2015-16 Season …

Detroit, MI… Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Holland today announced that the club has agreed to terms with forward Darren Helm on a four-year contract. In accordance with team policy, additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Helm, 25, was originally a fifth-round selection (132nd overall) of the Red Wings in the 2005 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He appeared in 68 games for the Red Wings in 2011-12, finishing the season with 26 points (9G-17A-26P) and 12 PIM. Helm missed 14 games due to injury, including the final 10 games of the season with a knee sprain suffered on March 17 at San Jose. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native returned for Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Nashville Predators, but played only 3:08 before suffering lacerated tendons in his right forearm after being struck by an opponent’s skate in the first period. The 5-11, 195-lb. forward is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of training camp in September.

“Darren is an important part of our team and we’re very happy that we’ve reached an agreement,” said Holland. “He’s one of the fastest skaters in the game and we love the physical element that he brings. He’s an outstanding penalty killer and the ideal third line center for us behind Pavel (Datsyuk) and Henrik (Zetterberg). We really missed him when he was out of the lineup in March and April.”

Helm is entering his fourth full season with the team. He played in just 16 regular season games for the Red Wings from 2007-09, but appeared in 41 postseason games during that same span and was an important part of Detroit’s 2008 Stanley Cup championship run and its return to the Stanley Cup Final in 2009. Helm’s career numbers include 248 games played, 83 points (32G-51A-83P) and 52 PIM. In 65 career postseason games, he’s collected 16 points (10G-6A-16P) and 18 PIM.

Darren Helm
Center
Born Jan 21 1987 -- Winnipeg, MAN
Height 5.11 -- Weight 195 -- Shoots L
Selected by Detroit in the fifth round (#132 overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft

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RED WINGS ANNOUNCE 2012-13 PRESEASON SLATE

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.. Leafs, Penguins, Caps and Hawks To Visit Joe Louis Arena ...

Detroit, MI… The Detroit Red Wings today announced their return to the ice with their 2012-13 preseason schedule. The home lineup includes a Saturday night battle against division rival Chicago, a Sunday afternoon tilt vs. the Washington Capitals, a midweek contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins and a Friday night tilt vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs.

On-sale dates for individual preseason games have not been announced.

Fans can still lock in great low prices for the 2012-13 season and guarantee the right to purchase tickets to the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® (Detroit vs. Toronto – January 1 at Michigan Stadium) by becoming a Red Wings season ticket holder.

DETROIT RED WINGS 2012-13 PRESEASON SCHEDULE
DATE DAY SITE TIME (ET)
September
26 Wed. at Pittsburgh CONSOL Energy Center 7:00
28 Fri. at Chicago United Center 8:30
29 Sat. CHICAGO Joe Louis Arena 7:00
30 Sun. WASHINGTON Joe Louis Arena 5:00

October
3 Wed. PITTSBURGH Joe Louis Arena 7:30
5 Fri. TORONTO Joe Louis Arena 7:30
6 Sat. at Toronto Air Canada Centre 7:00
7 Sun. at Washington Verizon Center 5:00

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LA KINGS WIN STANLEY CUP

By AJ Petronzi
In Play on Facebook

Thanks to three goals within a three minute and 58 second span of the first period the Los Angeles Kings have won the Stanley Cup at home in LA.

Dustin Brown opened scoring with a power play goal 11 minutes into the game. Jeff Carter and Trevor Lewis added goals for LA within four minutes of Brown. Jeff Carter opened the second period with his second goal of the night before Adam Henrique put New Jersey on the board to close the second. Trevor Lewis added an empty net goal in the third, almost immediately followed by Matt Greene adding LA’s sixth of the game.

LA dominated this game. It was obvious from the beginning that they simply wanted to win this game more than New Jersey. Ilya Kovalchuk remained a non-factor for New Jersey throughout the series. Dustin Brown was the hero of the finals, finishing game six with a game high three points. And while the questions will be asked endlessly for the next few weeks, it is possible that the 6-1 rout of the Devils may well have been the last game of the career of Martin Brodeur, one of the greatest goaltenders to ever play the game.

In Play! Man of the game: Dustin Brown. Brown put on a playoff performance that was deserving of the Conn Smythe Trophy. Although the honor went to Jonathan Quick, Brown arguably was robbed of the trophy.

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Wings Trade Brad Stuart to San Jose for Conditional Pick in 2014 and Forward Andrew Murray

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RED WINGS TRADE BRAD STUART TO SAN JOSE


… D-man to Sharks for a Conditional 2014 Pick and Andrew Murray …

Detroit, MI... Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Holland today announced that the club has traded the rights for defenseman Brad Stuart to the San Jose Sharks. In return, the Red Wings received a conditional seventh round pick in the 2014 National Hockey League Entry Draft and forward Andrew Murray from the Sharks.

Both Stuart and Murray are set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Originally San Jose’s first round selection (3rd overall) in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Stuart played five seasons for the Red Wings. He was acquired by Detroit from the Los Angeles Kings on February 26, 2008 for the Wings second round pick in 2008 and fourth round pick in 2009.

Brad Stuart
Defense
Born Nov 6 1979 -- Rocky Mountain House, ALTA
Height 6.02 -- Weight 210 -- Shoots L
Selected by San Jose Sharks round 1 #3 overall 1998 NHL Entry Draft

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CORY EMMERTON NAMED RED WINGS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

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CORY EMMERTON NAMED RED WINGS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR BY THE DETROIT SPORTS BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION
… Slick Skating Canadian Center Appeared in 71 Games for Detroit in 2011-12 …

Detroit, MI… Detroit Red Wings forward Cory Emmerton has been named the 2011-12 Red Wings Rookie of the Year by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association (DSBA). Emmerton, who turned 24 years old on June 1, skated in 71 games for Detroit this season, collecting 10 points (6G-4A-10P), 14 PIM and a +1 rating. He also appeared in all five postseason games for the Red Wings, notching his first career playoff goal in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Nashville Predators.

“I’m really excited to be selected as the DSBA Rookie of the Year,” said Emmerton. “Just looking at some of the past winners of the award, from Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg to some legends of the game like Marcel Dionne and Terry Sawchuk, it’s really a tremendous honor. I’m very happy to be in Detroit and to be a part of the Red Wings organization. I’m already looking forward to getting started next season.”

A native of St. Thomas, Ontario, Emmerton was originally selected by the Red Wings in the second round (41st overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. The 6’0”, 191-lb. center tallied 111 points (34G-77A-111P) and 66 PIM in 217 games with the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins following a standout junior career with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kingston Frontenacs (188 GP, 85G-140A-225P) and Brampton Battalion (30 GP, 12G-18A-30P). Emmerton will be honored by the DSBA prior to a Red Wings home game during the 2012-13 season.

The DSBA Red Wings Rookie of the Year Award dates back to the 1948-49 NHL season. Previous recipients of the award include current Red Wings Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen, Niklas Kronwall, Jimmy Howard, Jonathan Ericsson and Jakub Kindl.

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RED WINGS MOURN THE PASSING OF 23 YEAR OLD PROSPECT BRYAN RUFENACH

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… Defenseman was a Seventh-Round Pick by Detroit in 2007 …

Detroit, MI... The Detroit Red Wings regret to announce the passing of Bryan Rufenach, a 23-year-old prospect who passed away recently while traveling in Switzerland. Rufenach was Detroit’s seventh-round pick (208th overall) in the 2007 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He split time between the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League and the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye in 2011-12. The Barrie, Ontario, native registered two points (0-2-2) and 11 PIM in 13 games with the Griffins last season and posted 33 points (13-20-33) and 54 PIM in Toledo. He earned a degree in financial information and analysis from Clarkson University in 2011. Rufenach played four seasons for the Golden Knights and led all Clarkson blue-liners in points from 2008-2011.

Bryan Rufenach,
Defense
Born Apr 15 1989 -- Barrie, ONT
Height 6.00 -- Weight 192 -- Shoots L
Selected by Detroit in the seventh round (#208 overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft

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PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER’S HOCKEYTOWN WINTER FESTIVAL™ ANNOUNCED

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… Two Weeks of Hockey Excitement Will Descend Upon Detroit in December …

Detroit, MI… Olympia Entertainment has unveiled a preliminary schedule for the 2012 Hockeytown Winter Festival™, set to take place at downtown Detroit’s Comerica Park™ during the final two weeks of December. Kicking off mid-month and wrapping up on New Year’s Eve, this multi-faceted celebration of the sport of hockey will feature a wide variety of fun-filled activities and exhibitions for fans of all ages. A full listing of dates and events comprising the Hockeytown Winter Festival™ can be found below:

DECEMBER 15-26
Celebration of Hockey featuring amateur games, corporate outings and open skates. Information on booking ice time can be obtained by visiting DetroitRedWings.com/icetime.

DECEMBER 27-31
Outdoor Festival featuring interactive games, autograph signings, face painting and ice sculpture exhibits as well as musical performances and entertainment.

DECEMBER 27-28
Great Lakes Invitational featuring the Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Western Michigan Broncos and Michigan Tech Huskies all competing for the 2012 MacInnes Cup.

DECEMBER 29
Ontario Hockey League Doubleheader featuring the Windsor Spitfires taking on the Saginaw Spirit and the Plymouth Whalers battling the J. Ross Robertson Cup champion London Knights.

DECEMBER 30
American Hockey League Game featuring the Grand Rapids Griffins and Toronto Marlies, AHL affiliates of the Red Wings® and Maple Leafs®.

DECEMBER 31
Red Wings-Maple Leafs Alumni Showdown featuring legendary players from two of the National Hockey League’s most storied franchises going head-to-head.

Ticketing information for these events as well as the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® (Detroit vs. Toronto – January 1 at Michigan Stadium) is being distributed to members of the Red Wings® Season Ticket Holder Family this week. Information on purchasing 2012-13 Red Wings® Season Tickets and thereby gaining exclusive access to 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® and 2012 Hockeytown Winter Festival™ seats can be obtained by calling (313) 396-7575. Information regarding public on sales for all 2013 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic® and 2012 Hockeytown Winter Festival™ events will be available later this summer.

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Detroit Red Wings Offseason Ideas: Jiri Hudler

By AJ Petronzi
In Play on Facebook

In Play! is going to take some time this summer to offer suggestions on how to improve the Detroit Red Wings for 2012-2013. We’ll start our finger pointing with Jiri Hudler.

Should Hudler be signed as an unrestricted free agent and become part of Detroit’s core group of players, or should Hudler be packaged up and shipped out as the next former Red Wing.

Hudler had a great season in 2011-2012.  He showed he deserved the three million dollars he was awarded by the arbitrator in the summer of 2009 by finishing with 25 goals and 25 assists and also being one of only two Wings players to score two goals in five playoff games. However, the Wings’ wanted him to score 70 points, and he provided only 50. As a goal scorer, Hudler showed up by finishing second on the team in goals, following only Johan Franzen (he only had four less goals and six less points than Franzen, despite making 2.25 million less). His two goals on the power play were a huge disappointment and his only career highs were in penalty minutes and shooting percentage.

Hudler, unfortunately, likes to pass the puck instead of shoot it. Detroit is looking for someone who can shoot the puck to round out their top six forwards. Already signed for next season are Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Valtteri Filppula; all passers and all centers (which is Hudler’s natural position despite his whole career in Detroit as a wing). It doesn’t make sense to have four passers and centers in your top six forwards. Hudler’s career season was 2008-2009, when we was on the left wing opposite of shooter Marian Hossa and centered by fellow passer Filppula. Hudler flourishes next to a shooter, but Detroit would need to liquidate Datsyuk, Zetterberg or Filppula in order to bring a shooting in for Hudler. Not a likely scenario.

One scenario that could work for Detroit is trading Hudler’s negotiating rights at the NHL Draft for the negotiating rights of another pending UFA. One player that fits Detroit’s needs is Alexander Semin. Semin put up virtually equal numbers as Hudler this season, but earned 6.7 million. He’s going to have to accept a pay cut unless he wants to play in Russia as no team is going to pay him that salary after his last two seasons (and it’s been made pretty clear that Washington wouldn’t want Semin if he were to play for free). Unlike Hudler, Semin is a shooter trapped on a team FULL of shooters. A good bargaining tool for Semin is that in the three games he played during the World Hockey Championship on a line with Pavel Datsyuk, he scored two goals and three assists. He’s also the same age as Hudler, both skaters are 28.

If the Wings could get Semin for the bargain price of three and a half to four million dollars, even if only for one or two seasons, it would be worth the price of Jiri Hudler.

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RED WINGS NICKLAS LIDSTROM ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

By AJ Petronzi
In Play on Facebook

After 20 seasons in the NHL, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, one of the best players to ever play the game of hockey, announced his retirement today at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI. "Today, after 20 seasons as a player, I am announcing my retirement," stated Lidstrom from the Olympia Club inside Joe Louis.

Lidstrom started his career with the Red Wings in 1991-1992 and would go on to play 1564 games, all with Detroit. In that time he amassed 264 goals and 878 assists totaling 1142 points. He also finishes his career with a +450 rating and 514 penalty minutes, 132 power play goals, 10 shorthanded goals and 3875 shots on goal. Adding to those totals are 54 goals and 183 points in 263 playoff games.

During his playing career, Lidstrom amassed four Stanley Cups, seven Norris Trophies, one World Championship and one Olympic Gold Medal. He is a member of the “Triple Gold Club,” an exclusive list of NHL players to have won a Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold and World Championship. Lidstrom was nominated for the Norris Trophy 12 times over his final 14 seasons, winning his seven trophies over a period of nine seasons. He was the first European born Captain of an NHL team to hoist the Stanley Cup. His nickname is the dressing room was Mr. Perfect or the Perfect Human. This name came in part because of his amazing skills on the ice, but also because the Red Wings played only 46 games without Lidstrom over the course of his career.

For diehard Red Wings fans, today will likely serve as a triple whammy. With Lidstrom retiring, it becomes almost a certainty that Lidstrom’s best friend Tomas Holmstrom will also retire. Holmstrom has been almost as un-separable from Lidstrom as the Norris Trophy over their careers. Lidstrom, along with Holmstrom, were the only remaining players from the 1996-1998 Red Wings which broke the franchises’ 42 year Stanley Cup drought and then became the last team to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions. It marks the end of an era in Detroit Sports. Their departure will leave Pavel Datsyuk as the only remaining Red Wing from a pre-salary cap Stanley Cup Team.

Lidstrom’s retirement also sets up an interesting 2015 Hockey Hall of Fame draft class as other potential retiring NHL players this spring include NHL Legends Teemu Selanne and Martin Brodeur.

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RED WINGS SIGN PULKKINEN TO ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT

By AJ Petronzi In Play on Facebook

… Forward has Represented Finland at Numerous International Tournaments …

Detroit, MI...The Detroit Red Wings today announced that 20-year-old forward Teemu Pulkkinen has been signed to a three-year entry-level contract. In accordance with club policy, no further details regarding this deal will be disclosed.

Selected by Detroit in the fourth round (111th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Pulkkinen has spent the past two seasons with Jokerit Helsinki of the Finnish Elite League, totaling 94 points (35G-59A) in 126 appearances. The 5’10”, 194-lb. winger has also represented Finland at several international events, finishing in the top 10 in scoring at both the 2011 and 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships (13GP-9G-10A-19P combined total). At the 2010 IIHF World U-18 Championships in Belarus, Pulkkinen led the tournament in scoring with 15 points (10G-5A) in six games as the Finns repeated as bronze medalists.

Teemu Pulkkinen
Forward
Born Jan 2 1992 -- Vantaa, Finland
Height 5.10 -- Weight 194 -- Shoots R
Selected by Detroit Red Wings round 4 #111 overall 2010 NHL Entry Draft

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RED WING PAVEL DATSYUK CONTINUES QUEST FOR EA SPORTS NHL 13 COVER

In Play on Facebook

… All-Star Center Pitted Against New York Islanders Forward John Tavares in Quarterfinals of Online Vote; Fans Able to Cast Ballots Starting Today…

Detroit, MI… In addition to currently competing for Team Russia at the 2012 IIHF World Championships in Europe, Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk is also set to take part in a weeklong battle against fellow NHL All-Star John Tavares for the right to advance to the semifinals in EA Sports’ NHL 13 Cover Vote Challenge. Online voting for this round began earlier today at http://covervote.nhl.com  and will end at 11:59 p.m. on May 23.

Datsyuk defeated St. Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie in the last round of voting and will face either New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist or Nashville Predators netminder Pekka Rinne should he defeat Tavares. A final champion will be determined during the week of May 29-June 4 when the two remaining candidates go head-to-head.

If Datsyuk is victorious in the Cover Vote Challenge he would become the first Red Wing to adorn the cover of EA Sports’ long-running NHL franchise since Steve Yzerman earned the distinction in 1996. He would also join Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (MLB 2K12) and Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (Madden 2013) as Detroit-based athletes to be featured on the covers of high-profile video game titles this year, giving sports fans in the Motor City a unique ‘hat trick’ of sorts and marking the first time in history that three major league athletes from the same city have appeared on the cover of a video game at the same time.

Fans who register online can vote as often as they like, with their first 10 ballots cast on any given day earning an entry in the Cover Vote Sweepstakes for a chance to win a VIP trip to the 2012 NHL Awards in Las Vegas. Twitter users are invited to use the hash tag #NHL13Cover when championing their favorite players’ candidacy throughout the duration of this campaign.

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RED WINGS FORWARD PAVEL DATSYUK BATTLING FOR COVER OF EA SPORTS’ NHL 13

In Play on Facebook

Detroit Sports Fans can Score a Hat Trick by Casting Their Votes and Having All-Star Center join Verlander and Johnson on High-Profile Video Game Covers This Year.

Detroit, MI… All-Star Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk is currently in the running to have his likeness adorn the cover of EA Sports’ NHL 13 – the most popular hockey video game on the planet. The last time a Red Wing made an appearance on the cover of the long-running franchise was in 1996 when Steve Yzerman earned the distinction.

An online vote is currently being held at http://covervote.nhl.com  to determine which NHLer will grace EA Sports’ next game cover. Datsyuk is currently going head-to-head with St. Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie in a weeklong vote, with the winner set to advance along the championship bracket into the quarterfinals. A final champion will be determined during the week of May 29-June 4 when the two remaining candidates go head-to-head. If Datsyuk is victorious, he would join Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (MLB 2K12) and Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (Madden 2013) as Detroit-based athletes to be featured on the covers of high-profile video game titles this year, giving sports fans in the Motor City a unique ‘hat trick’ of sorts and marking mark the first time in history that three major league athletes from the same city have appeared on the cover of a video game at the same time.

Fans who register online can vote as often as they like, with their first ten ballots cast on any given day earning an entry in the Cover Vote Sweepstakes for a chance to win a VIP trip to the 2012 NHL Awards in Las Vegas. Twitter users are invited to use the hash tag #NHL13Cover when championing their favorite players’ candidacy throughout the duration of this campaign. 

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Abdelkader, Howard Added to 2012 U.S. Men's National Team

Team USA to Compete in IIHF World Men's Championship, May 4-20, in Finland

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Forward Justin Abdelkader (Muskegon, Mich./Detroit Red Wings/Michigan State Univ.) and goaltender Jimmy Howard (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Detroit Red Wings/Univ. of Maine) have been added to the U.S. Men's National Team roster for the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championship it was announced today by USA Hockey. The tournament is scheduled for May 4-20, 2012, in Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden.

Abdelkader and Howard are making their debuts on the U.S. Men's National Team, though each player has represented Team USA in the past. Abdelkader played for the U.S. National Junior Team that won the bronze medal at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship. Howard backstopped the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team to the gold medal at the 2002 IIHF World Men's Under-18 Championship and was a member of the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2003 IIHF World Junior Championship. Howard also spent two seasons with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program from 2000-02.

The first 17 players for the U.S. Men's National Team were announced on April 11. Forward Joey Crabb defenseman Chris Butler and goalie John Curry have been added since then. Team USA now has 12 forwards, six defensemen and three goaltenders on its roster. The maximum roster size is 25, which includes three goaltenders and 22 forwards and defensemen.

Team USA 2012 IIHF Men's World Championship Schedule

May 4 - 20 • Helsinki, Finland & Stockholm, Sweden
Date Opponent Location Time (Local/EDT)

Fri., May 4 France Helsinki 12:15 p.m./5:15 a.m.

Sat., May 5 Canada Helsinki 7:00 p.m./12:00 p.m.

Mon., May 7 Slovakia Helsinki 8:15 p.m./1:15 p.m.

Thurs., May 10 Belarus Helsinki 4:15 p.m./9:15 a.m.

Fri., May 11 Kazakhstan Helsinki 4:15 p.m./9:15 a.m.

Sun., May 13 Finland Helsinki 4:15 p.m./9:15 a.m.

Tues., May 15 Switzerland Helsinki 8:15 p.m./1:15 p.m.

Thurs., May 17 Quarterfinals Helsinki TBD

Sat., May 19 Semifinals Helsinki TBD

Sun., May 20 Bronze-Medal Game Helsinki 4:00 p.m./9:00 a.m.

Gold-Medal Game Helsinki 8:30 p.m./1:30 p.m.

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DATSYUK VOTED SELKE TROPHY FINALIST

NEW YORK (April 23, 2012) -- Centers David Backes of the St. Louis Blues, Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins and Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings are the three finalists for the 2011-12 Frank J. Selke Trophy, which is awarded "to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game," the National Hockey League announced today.

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Selke Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 20, during the 2012 NHL Awards from Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. The 2012 NHL Awards will be broadcast by NBC Sports Network in the United States and CBC in Canada.

Following are the finalists for the Selke Trophy, in alphabetical order:

David Backes, St. Louis Blues
Backes had the highest average ice time per game among forwards (19:59) on the club that allowed the fewest goals in the NHL by a wide margin. The 6'3", 225-lb. center again was a punishing physical presence, doling out a team-leading 226 hits, joining Los Angeles forward Dustin Brown as the only players to record 200 hits or more in each of the past five seasons. Backes led the Blues in face-offs (1,353), blocked 72 shots and posted a +15 rating. The Blues captain is an NHL Trophy finalist for first time in his seven-year NHL career and is the first Blues player vying for the Selke Trophy since Michal Handzus finished second in 2000.

Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
Bergeron led the NHL in plus-minus (+36), posting a +18 rating both at home and on the road, helping the Bruins rank second in the Eastern Conference in team defense (2.39 GAA). Appearing in a single-season
career-high 81 games, he topped all Bruins forwards in shorthanded time on ice (1:48 per game) and was dominant in the face-off circle, posting a 59.2% winning percentage (973 of 1,641) to rank second in the League behind Chicago's Jonathan Toews (59.4%). Bergeron is an NHL Trophy finalist for the first time and could become the second Bruins player to capture Selke honors, joining Steve Kasper (1982).

Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Datsyuk continued his mastery of separating opponents from the puck in 2011-12 by ranking third in the NHL in takeaways (97), and his stickhandling and passing skills helped the Red Wings' renowned puck possession game. Datsyuk posted a +21 rating and was the club's top face-off man, posting a 56.2% winning percentage (702 of 1,249) -- his eighth consecutive season posting a win rate above 53%. Datsyuk has been voted a Selke finalist for the fifth consecutive year, matching the streaks of Montreal's Guy Carbonneau (1986 through 1990) and Bob Gainey (1978 through 1982) as the longest since the award was introduced in 1978.
History
The trophy was presented in 1977 by the National Hockey League Board of Governors in honor of Frank J. Selke, one of the great architects of Montreal and Toronto championship teams.

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NASHVILLE ELIMINATES DETROIT, HOCKEY DONE FOR SUMMER IN HOCKEYTOWN

By AJ Petronzi
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The Nashville Predators have eliminated the Detroit Red Wings from the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 2-1 win in Nashville.

This series could and SHOULD have looked completely different for three reasons. First, Detroit kept attempting the same play despite the fact that it didn’t work from games one to five. Second, Pekka Rinne changed the whole series by stopping anything Detroit through at him. Third, Shea Webber should have missed half the series (if not the whole series) while suspended.

Unfortunately, now the normal questions should be asked. Have we seen the last games of Tomas Holmstrom and Nicklas Lidstrom? Will Brad Stuart be back? After three consecutive early playoff outs, is it time to revisit who’s behind the bench? Will there be playoff’s next season?

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NHL Suspensions (As of Monday Morning)

RANGERS’ HAGELIN SUSPENDED FOR THREE GAMES
NEW YORK (April 15, 2012) – New York Rangers forward Carl Hagelin has been suspended for three games for elbowing Ottawa Senators forward Daniel Alfredsson during Game 2 of the teams’ Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series in New York on Saturday, April 14, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 10:32 of the second period. Hagelin was assessed a major penalty for elbowing. Alfredsson suffered an injury as a result of the hit.

SENATORS’ CARKNER SUSPENDED FOR ONE GAME
Ottawa Senators forward Matt Carkner has been suspended for one game for continuing to inflict punishment upon an opponent who was an unwilling combatant in an altercation during Game 2 of the team's Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series with the New York Rangers in New York on Saturday, April 14, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

Carkner instigated an altercation with New York forward Brian Boyle, who did not respond. After knocking Boyle to the ice with two punches, Carkner continued to throw punches at his opponent, who was an unwilling combatant. Carkner's actions classified him as an "aggressor" under NHL rules.

The incident occurred at 2:15 of the first period. Carkner was assessed a minor penalty for instigating, a major penalty for fighting and a game misconduct.

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PREDATORS’ WEBER FINED $2,500 - NO SUSPENSION

NEW YORK (April 12, 2012) – Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber has been fined $2,500, the maximum allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for delivering a blow to the head of Detroit forward Henrik Zetterberg in Game 1 of the teams’ Western Conference Quarterfinal series in Nashville on Wednesday, April 11, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 20:00 of the third period. Weber was assessed a minor penalty for roughing.

“This was a reckless and reactionary play on which Weber threw a glancing punch and then shoved Zetterberg’s head into the glass,” said NHL Senior Vice President of Player Safety and Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan. “As is customary whenever Supplemental Discipline is being considered, we contacted Detroit following the game and were informed that Zetterberg did not suffer an apparent injury and should be in the lineup for Game 2.

“This play and the fine that addressed it will be significant factors in assessing any incidents involving Shea Weber throughout the remainder of the playoffs.”

The fine money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

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HELM UNDERGOES SUCCESFUL SURGERY RED WINGS FORWARD OUT FOR REMAINDER OF PLAYOFFS

Detroit, MI…Detrot Red Wings forward Darren Helm underwent successful surgery last night to repair lacerated tendons in his right forearm. The injury, suffered with just over eight minutes remaining in the first period of the Red Wings Western Conference Quarterfinal Game 1 vs. Nashville, will sideline Helm for the remainder of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Helm is expected to make a full recovery and return for the Red Wings 2012 training camp.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Douglas Weikert at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

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NHL 2012 STANLEY CUP CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL SCHEDULE

NEW YORK (April 8, 2012) – The National Hockey League today announced the dates, times and national broadcast information for the 2012 Stanley Cup Conference Quarter-Final round, which begins Wednesday, April 11. All times listed are ET and subject to change.
2012 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS
SERIES A TIME (ET) #1 NY Rangers vs. #8 Ottawa
Thursday, April 12, 2012 7 p.m. Ottawa at NY Rangers
Saturday, April 14, 2012 7 p.m. Ottawa at NY Rangers
Monday, April 16, 2012 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Ottawa
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Ottawa
Saturday, April 21, 2012 7 p.m. Ottawa at NY Rangers
Monday, April 23, 2012 TBD NY Rangers at Ottawa
Thursday, April 26, 2012 TBD Ottawa at NY Rangers

SERIES B TIME (ET) #2 Boston vs. #7 Washington
Thursday, April 12, 2012 7:30 p.m. Washington at Boston
Saturday, April 14, 2012 3 p.m. Washington at Boston
Monday, April 16, 2012 7:30 p.m. Boston at Washington
Thursday, April 19, 2012 7:30 p.m. Boston at Washington
Saturday, April 21, 2012 3 p.m. Washington at Boston
Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Boston at Washington
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 TBD Washington at Boston

SERIES C TIME (ET) #3 Florida vs. #6 New Jersey
Friday, April 13, 2012 7 p.m. New Jersey at Florida
Sunday, April 15, 2012 7:30 p.m. New Jersey at Florida
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 7 p.m. Florida at New Jersey
Thursday, April 19, 2012 7 p.m. Florida at New Jersey
Saturday, April 21, 2012 6:30 p.m. New Jersey at Florida
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Florida at New Jersey
Thursday, April 26, 2012 TBD New Jersey at Florida

SERIES D TIME (ET) #4 Pittsburgh vs. #5 Philadelphia
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh
Friday, April 13, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh
Sunday, April 15, 2012 3 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia NBC, TSN
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia
Friday, April 20, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh
Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Pittsburgh at Philadelphia
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Philadelphia at Pittsburgh


2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS
SERIES E TIME (ET) #1 Vancouver vs. #8 Los Angeles
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 10:30 p.m. Los Angeles at Vancouver
Friday, April 13, 2012 10 p.m. Los Angeles at Vancouver
Sunday, April 15, 2012 10:30 p.m. Vancouver at Los Angeles
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 10 p.m. Vancouver at Los Angeles
Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Los Angeles at Vancouver
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Vancouver at Los Angeles
Thursday, April 26, 2012 TBD Los Angeles at Vancouver


SERIES F TIME (ET) #2 St. Louis vs. #7 San Jose
Thursday, April 12, 2012 7:30 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis
Saturday, April 14, 2012 7:30 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis
Monday, April 16, 2012 10 p.m. St. Louis at San Jose
Thursday, April 19, 2012 10:30 p.m. St. Louis at San Jose
Saturday, April 21, 2012 7:30 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis
Monday, April 23, 2012 TBD St. Louis at San Jose
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 TBD San Jose at St. Louis

SERIES G TIME (ET) #3 Phoenix vs. #6 Chicago
Thursday, April 12, 2012 10 p.m. Chicago at Phoenix
Saturday, April 14, 2012 10 p.m. Chicago at Phoenix
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 9 p.m. Phoenix at Chicago
Thursday, April 19, 2012 8 p.m. Phoenix at Chicago
Saturday, April 21, 2012 10 p.m. Chicago at Phoenix
Monday, April 23, 2012 TBD Phoenix at Chicago
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 TBD Chicago at Phoenix

SERIES H TIME (ET) #4 Nashville vs. #5 Detroit
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 8 p.m. Detroit at Nashville
Friday, April 13, 2012 7:30 p.m. Detroit at Nashville
Sunday, April 15, 2012 Noon Nashville at Detroit
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 7:30 p.m. Nashville at Detroit
Friday, April 20, 2012 8 p.m. Detroit at Nashville
Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Nashville at Detroit
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Detroit at Nashville

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RED WINGS SIGN RILEY SHEAHAN TO THREE-YEAR ENTRY-LEVEL DEAL

… Center Selected by Detroit in First Round of 2010 NHL Entry Draft …

Detroit, MI...The Detroit Red Wings today announced that 20-year-old forward Riley Sheahan has been signed to a three-year entry-level contract. In accordance with club policy, additional terms of this deal will not be disclosed.

Originally selected by Detroit in the first round (21st overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Sheahan spent three seasons with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (NCAA/CCHA) from 2009-12, amassing 64 points (20G-44A) in 114 career games played at the collegiate level. Prior to enrolling at Notre Dame, Sheahan spent two seasons with his hometown St. Catharines Falcons (GHL) where he recorded 49G-85A-134P in 85 games.

Sheahan signed an Amateur Try Out agreement with the Grand Rapids Griffins on March 20 and scored his first career American Hockey League goal on March 31 versus the Oklahoma City Barons. In seven games with the Griffins, the 6’2”, 200-lb. forward has recorded 1G-1A-2P-0PIM.

Riley Sheahan
Forward
Born Dec 7 1991 -- St. Catharine's, ONT
Height 6.02 -- Weight 200 -- Shoots L

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RED WINGS GUSTAV NYQUIST NAMED TO AHL ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Griffins left wing Gustav Nyquist on Wednesday was named to the 2011-12 American Hockey League All-Rookie Team.

Despite missing nine of the Griffins’ last 12 games while with the parent Detroit Red Wings, Nyquist still ranks among the AHL’s top rookies with 22 goals (T6th), 36 assists (T5th), 58 points (T4th) and four shootout goals (T2nd). Nyquist is also tied for 15th in overall AHL scoring, while leading the Griffins – the highest scoring team in the Western Conference – points, power play goals (7), power play assists (13), insurance goals (4). He also ranks among team leaders with a plus-seven rating (5th), four first goals (T3rd), a 0.571 shootout percentage (3rd) and a 14.5% shooting percentage (3rd).

In his last game with the club – a 5-2 win versus Hamilton on March 17 – Nyquist recorded three points (2-1—3) to become the franchise’s all-time rookie scoring leader. The 22-year-old is just one of seven Griffins rookies ever to score 20 goals, and his 22 goals trail only Francis Pare and Justin Abdelkader on the team’s all-time rookie goal scoring list.

A native of Halmstad, Sweden, Nyquist joined the Griffins late last season on an eight-game tryout following his junior year at the University of Maine. While a member of the Black Bears, Nyquist received consecutive nominations for the Hobey Baker Award as a sophomore and junior, while leading his team in scoring during all three of his seasons (2008-11). He racked up 144 points (50-94—144) in 113 collegiate games, leading the entire NCAA in scoring during the 2009-10 season with 61 points (19-42—61) in 39 games.

Nyquist becomes the fourth Griffin to be named to the AHL All-Rookie Team, joining current Red Wings Justin Abdelkader (2008-09) and Jimmy Howard (2005-06), as well as Brendan Smith, who was named to the All-Rookie Team last season. The 5-11, 185-pound forward was also the team’s lone representative at the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic.

Detroit’s third choice (121st overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Nyquist made his NHL debut on Nov. 1 versus Minnesota and scored his first NHL goal on March 26 versus Columbus. He has recorded seven points (1-6—7) in 15 games with the Red Wings this season, adding a plus-two rating and two penalty minutes.

Nyquist becomes a top candidate for the AHL’s Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award (outstanding rookie).

The other members of the AHL All-Rookie Team, as voted by AHL coaches, players and media in each of the league’s 30 member cities, are forwards Cory Conacher (Norfolk) and Tyler Johnson (Norfolk); defensemen Matt Donovan (Bridgeport) and Cade Fairchild (Peoria); and goaltender Eddie Pasquale (St. John’s).

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