Month: August 2022

Press release: Great Lakes Invitational tickets go on sale Friday–at Van Andel Arena

The Great Lakes Invitational isn’t held at Little Caesars Arena any more, but there was apparently more demand for tickets than last year’s co-hosts, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, could provide at Yost and Munn Arenas, so the tournament has moved west to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena.

Per this press release from Michigan Technological University, Michigan Tech will serve as the official host of the tournament, and tickets for said four-team tournament go on sale tomorrow:

Continue reading Press release: Great Lakes Invitational tickets go on sale Friday–at Van Andel Arena

Brief note: Wings prospect Gustav Berglund to play for HockeyEttan team Karlskrona HK this upcoming season

The Swedish HockeyEttan club Karlskrona HK announced today that Red Wings prospect Gustav Berglund has inked a full-year contract with the team after being loaned from Farjestads BK of the SHL.

This is a bit of a step back for Berglund, a 21-year-old defenseman who stands at 6’2″ and 201 pounds. The right-shooting defender was the Wings’ 177th overall pick in 2019, all per EliteProspects.

Kulfan audits the Wings’ forwards

The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan posted an audit of the Red Wings’ defensive players last night, and today, he looks at the Red Wings’ forwards:

► Tyler Bertuzzi: Bertuzzi had back surgery the season before, but showed no signs of it hampering him, with a career-high 30 goals on the first line. This is a big season for Bertuzzi, 27, who can be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

► Andrew Copp: The former Ann Arbor Skyline/Michigan standout had a career-best 21-goal, 53-point season, and brings the type of two-way game that anchors a potentially formidable second line. 

► Dylan Larkin: The Wings’ captain is coming off a big rebound season (31 goals, 69 points) and ignites what should continue to be a dangerous first line. Larkin, 26, can be an unrestricted free agent next summer, but a deal is expected done long before then. 

► David Perron: Perron is 34, but has shown no signs of slowing down, scoring 27 goals last season and continuing to play an agitating, gritty style. Perron should be a huge benefit on and off the ice.

► Lucas Raymond: Raymond and eventual Calder Trophy-winning teammate defenseman Moritz Seider sparked the Wings with tremendous debuts. Raymond (23 goals, 57 points) found instant chemistry with Bertuzzi and Larkin and there’s no reason to think Raymond’s output will slip given his instincts on the ice.

Continued (paywall)

MLive: Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin to take part in Ally Challenge Celebrity Shootout

Per MLive’s Brendan Savage, Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin will be taking part in more celebrity golf adventures this summer:

The Golden Bear is coming back to the Ally Challenge.

Jack Nicklaus, the greatest champion in golf history, will be taking part in the 2022 Celebrity Shootout, the PGA Tour Champions event announced today.

Joining Nicklaus at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc Township will be Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, two-time super middleweight world champion boxer Anthony Dirrell, U.S. Adaptive Golf champion golfer Kim More and former Michigan basketball star Jalen Rose.

…

This year’s four-hole charity event will be held Aug. 27 on the back nine at Warwick Hills. The Celebrity Shootout contestants will follow the final group of the second round off the 10th hole.

And get this: The aforementioned fivesome will be joined by other celebrities who will be announced in the coming weeks. They’ll play a four-hole competition that will cover the 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th holes.

Continued

Press release: Grand Rapids add video coach, physical therapist to hockey operations department

Per the Grand Rapids Griffins:

RED WINGS ADD TWO TO GRIFFINS’ HOCKEY STAFF

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Thursday announced the addition of Erich Junge as the new video coach for the Grand Rapids Griffins and Eldon Graham as the AHL team’s physical therapist.

A native of Ballwin, Mo., Junge most recently served as a volunteer assistant coach at Bemidji State University during the 2021-22 season. Junge helped guide the Beavers to the CCHA Playoff championship game before being bested by No. 1 ranked Minnesota State, 2-1 in overtime.

Prior to joining Bemidji State, Junge spent the 2020-21 campaign as the volunteer director of player development for Ohio University. The 24-year-old also served as the video coach for Ohio for four seasons from 2016-20.

“We are excited to add Erich to our staff in Grand Rapids. He has great experience in a variety of areas that will help our staff prepare, evaluate and assess our game both as a team and as individuals,” Griffins head coach Ben Simon said. “As a video coach, his role is very important in the continued development of our players and helping them be the best that they can be.”

Continue reading Press release: Grand Rapids add video coach, physical therapist to hockey operations department

Mills’ notebook: Viro has a pro pedigree as he crosses the pond

Red Wings prospect Eemil Viro is going to make his North American professional debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins this fall, but DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills notes that Viro already has a strong amount of professional experience:

At just 17 years old, Eemil Viro made his professional hockey debut with TPS Turku of the SM-Liiga, Finland’s most elite league. And when reflecting on his development, the young defenseman acknowledged he’s come a long way since his inaugural 2019-20 campaign.

“When I came into the league, I was really small,” said Viro, who was the Red Wings’ 70th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. “A young guy finding the way on how to survive game to game.”

Now as a 20-year-old, Viro has used his experience as a foundation for helping him compete with confidence.

“I’m a pretty good skater,” he said. “I can play with my own strengths.”

The 6-foot, 165-pound blueliner earned three goals and four assists in 52 games last season, helping TPS to a league final berth.

“I think defensively, I got a lot better,” Viro said. “Our team played really well, got better and in the end, got to the finals.”

Continued; Viro is very wiry, so he may not get a lot “bigger,” but he’ll get stronger yet.