The Red Wings’ prospects did something completely different on Tuesday.
On their one day off between the prospect tournament and training camp, the team headed to Traverse Heights Elementary School to hold a little hockey clinic with 4th and 5th graders in the school’s gym (the Wings’ prospects will skate together one last time on Wednesday before training camp begins on Thursday at Centre ICE Arena).
Red Wings setting up a youth hockey clinic at Traverse City’s Rose Elementary School. Fun to be had! pic.twitter.com/uJ5kzwMDgy— George Malik (@georgemalik) September 20, 2022
It was quite a bit of fun, if a little overwhelming, to “go back to elementary school” for a day for me–I had to check in at the office like any good visitor, and I was gob-smacked at the fact that the oldies station was playing the music of my own youth, but that’s 44 for you..
And it was just plain old cool to watch the players interact with the kids and slowly but surely warm up to the tasks at hand in terms of teaching the kids to shoot pucks, score on goaltenders, and engage in physical activity via a relay race.
It’s insane in here. 80 4th and 5th graders. And a bunch of Wings prospects. Fun stuff! pic.twitter.com/WLvsxmuxv7— George Malik (@georgemalik) September 20, 2022
Perhaps the funniest and best part of the two-and-a-half hour-long visit was when the Wings’ prospects held their own draft and picked sides for a spirited prospects vs. prospects scrimmage (in which nobody got hurt).
They’re picking teams for a prospect Showdown! pic.twitter.com/QEMlQ4fsMa— George Malik (@georgemalik) September 20, 2022
Gentlemen on the bench. pic.twitter.com/dDNYkNw75q— George Malik (@georgemalik) September 20, 2022
After all was said and done, the Wings’ prospects signed autographs and headed back onto their bus to enjoy the rest of their day, but they seemed to very genuinely enjoy their day spent teaching kids only 10-12 years younger than them how to play hockey.
Red Wings prospect and Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman Seth Barton spoke with myself, DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills, and several Traverse City news stations to discuss taking part in the event, and what it means to give back to the community…
And Red Wings Director of Community Impact Kevin Brown discussed the fact that the Wings’ prospects were learning…or, perhaps better stated, continuing to learn that giving back is as much an opportunity for hockey players as it is a responsibility that comes with the job:
