MLive’s Ansar Khan wrote a fantastic article about the relationship between the Red Wings and their home away from home, Centre ICE Arena in Traverse City:
From their first camp in Traverse City in 1997, the Red Wings were hooked. This year’s camp is the 20th hosted by Centre ICE (it didn’t host during lockouts in 2004-05 and 2012-13). The facility became home to the eight-team NHL Prospects Tournament in 1998.
“It’s a great part of the world,” Holland said. “Great facilities. The rink has good energy. No reason to move after 20 years. Everyone in our organization looks forward to 10 days there.”
[Pete] Correia, the Peninsula Township supervisor who was instrumental in getting Centre ICE built, lost his battle with cancer in 2016.
Terry Marchand, executive director of Centre ICE, said Traverse City, which branded itself “Hockeytown North” many years ago, enjoys hosting the Red Wings as much as the organization loves training there.
“Ever since the first one, when Pete Correia built the rink here — he’s the one who convinced Ken to bring the team up here — it’s been kind of a match made in heaven,” Marchand said. “The team and players and coaches are all met with open arms by the city and residents of Traverse City, the visitors. Traverse City has a lot to offer and the Red Wings bring people here.
“Ken has always said that he doesn’t want to take it anywhere else,” Marchand said. “As long as he’s the GM, he said it’ll always be here.”