WWMT’s Nate Brown reports that Red Wings assistant GM and director of amateur scouting Kris Draper was in Grand Rapids to take part in his other favorite sport on Wednesday:
Day Two of the 2024 Beer City Open brought with it a few differences: matches played inside due to poor weather, and the beginning of Major League Pickleball sanctioned matches as the professionals began their fun.
Day Two also brought with it tournament Number Two for the “One Dollar Man”, Kris Draper.
Draper, the longtime Detroit Red Wing who won four Stanley Cups with the organization, competed in the 2023 Open as an amateur and finds himself back in Grand Rapids for the second straight year.
As someone who played the sport of hockey at the highest level imaginable, though, watching other professionals at the top of their craft only brings out the fan in Draper that much more.
“I love watching the best of the best. Last year was great getting to watch all the pros play,” said Draper. “This year with MLP here, it’s pretty neat just to watch the way these guys warm up. The way they hit the ball, it’s just a different sound. It’s just fun to watch how they move, how they play, how they are. It motivates you to continue to get better.”
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