Red Wings forward Michael Rasmussen and defenseman Jordan Oesterle took part in the Wings’ Street Hockey Summer Showcase,” as helmed by Wings ambassador Jason McCrimmon, at Detroit’s Farwell Recreation Center today.
DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills chronicled the scene…
As part of the Red Wings’ groundbreaking Learn, Play, Score platform, the seven-week clinic series is providing more than 300 metro Detroit youth aged 6-14 with an opportunity to learn the basics of hockey, along with fundamental life skills, in a fun, laid-back outdoor atmosphere at eight Detroit Parks & Recreations locations across the city.
“It’s always fun,” Oesterle said. “I always try to give back. Obviously being from Michigan and being able to give back to the community that gave me so much means a lot.”
Oesterle added that working with the city’s youth is a humbling experience.
“They don’t necessarily care about you,” Oesterle said. “Good or bad, they think it’s cool that a professional athlete is coming to hang out with them. They all enjoyed it, they all had a great time and had a lot of smiles on their faces.”
Rasmussen agreed with Oesterle about how rewarding it feels to make a difference in the community.
“It’s nice to be part of the community and help out,” Rasmussen said. “Just seeing kids outside and playing sports, especially hockey, is pretty cool.”
