Detroit, MI… As part of Hockey Weekend Across America and their ongoing Hockeytown Thanks initiative, the Detroit Red Wings will be presenting a variety of hockey events throughout the duration of Saturday, February 18. Teams and players from all ages and skill levels will be participating in this unique daylong endeavor, which will be highlighted by an outdoor practice at downtown Detroit’s Clark Park featuring the entirety of the Red Wings roster.
The Red Wings outdoor practice at Detroit’s Clark Park (between Vernor & I-75) will have special observation areas installed specifically for fans to catch all of the action beginning at noon (gates open at 11:00 a.m.). The first 2,000 citizens of Hockeytown to arrive on location will be able to watch the Red Wings skate for approximately one hour as they prepare for a Sunday home game versus San Jose. Fans wishing to attend the Red Wings’ historic outdoor practice on the 18th will be required to make one of three charitable donations upon entering the facility:
1) Canned goods to benefit Gleaners Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan OR
2) At least $2 cash/person in support of the Clark Park Coalition OR
3) Pre-owned hockey equipment to be used by Clark Park & the Detroit Hockey Association
Co-sponsored by Tim Hortons and Kroger, the Red Wings’ outdoor skate at Clark Park will feature a pre-selected TimBits minor hockey team taking part in drills alongside the reigning NHL Central Division champs for a portion of practice. Hot chocolate and coffee will be made available to attendees of this event courtesy of Tim Hortons. Fifty pairs of V.I.P. lanyards granting holders exclusive access to the Tim Hortons Hot Zone at Clark Park will be given away by Tim Hortons over the course of the next two weeks. More information on this promotion can be obtained by visiting www.detroitredwings.com/timhortonsclarkpark .
Amway, presenting sponsor of the Detroit Red Wings, will be making special arrangements for 100 local members of the Boys & Girls Club to attend the open practice. Furthermore, upon the conclusion of Red Wings practice, an open public skate will be held at Clark Park courtesy of Kroger. In order to participate, skaters must fill out a waiver on site and have their own equipment with them. Free parking for this event will be available at Western International High School (1500 Scotten Street) and Earhart Elementary-Middle School (1000 Scotten Street). Indian Trails Transportation will be running complimentary shuttles to and from Clark Park.
Adult squad games will be held between the hours of 12:01 and 7:00 a.m. at The Joe on February 18. The Detroit Red Wings Foundation will also be presenting two one-hour-long ‘Try Hockey for Free’ clinics at 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. (http://www.maha.org/TryHockey.aspx), which will be preceded by a USA Hockey American Development Model Clinic (http://www.usahockey.com/adm).
Following the back-to-back clinics, there will be youth hockey games staged throughout the afternoon. The Michigan Catholic High School State Championships (Detroit Catholic Central vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s) will take place at The Joe from 7:30 – 10:00 p.m., with the day wrapping up with a two-hour adult hockey session. Information on participating in any of the youth or adult games at JLA can be obtained by calling Adam Dubois at 313-396-7451.
In the event of inclement weather, the Red Wings practice will be held within the same time parameters at Joe Louis Arena. Parking will be available at a cost of $5 per vehicle at both the main JLA garage and the venue’s adjacent Riverfront lot. The public skate portion of the event will be cancelled if the open practice is held at The Joe.
