The Detroit Red Wings’ Michigan contingent visited the Detroit Lions’ practice on Sunday, as reported by WXYZ’s Jeanna Trotman…
Today's special guests at camp: The Wings! Michigan fellas Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, Jeff Petry, and Andrew Copp took in practice, met the team, and gifted jerseys to Dan Campbell and the guys.
— Jeanna Trotman (@JeannaTrotmanTV) August 11, 2024
Larkin said the Wings fed off the energy that the Lions brought to the city. pic.twitter.com/biMDJWIj3h
And MLive’s Kory Woods:
The Red Wings contingent included team captain Dylan Larkin, Andrew Copp, Jeff Petry, Alex DeBrincat and Ben Chiarot. After the practice, which was relatively light, they mingled with Lions players and coaches, presenting custom Red Wings jerseys to several of them.
The recipients were Lions head coach Dan Campbell, Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Alex Anzalone, Alim McNeill, and Jack Fox.
“People are excited about football being back and how the (Lions) did last year, the expectations they have, and just talking to a few of the guys on the field,” Larkin told reporters. “It’s a good thing to have, and it’s good that the Lions have that. (The Red Wings) haven’t had much of that, but being out here makes me want to get back to work a little bit. It’s getting to that time.”
Despite showing flashes of promise and potential for a playoff berth, the Red Wings finished with a record of 41-32-9, missing the NHL postseason for the eighth consecutive season, extending their longest playoff drought in franchise history. With the Lions coming off one of their most memorable seasons, especially since moving to Ford Field, Larkin feels that some of their good fortune might spread to the other professional teams in Detroit, including the Red Wings.
“We had multiple games last year where the Lions played before us at home, and many fans attended both games,” Larkin said. “They brought energy to our building, and you could feel it. We saw what the Lions were able to do, and it motivated us in a really good way.”
Update: SI.com’s Josh Maakaron reported in from Lions practice as well:
Dylan Larkin and teammate Alex DeBrincat were among members of the Detroit Red Wings in attendance for Sunday’s practice. The players gifted several Lions with custom Red Wings jerseys.
“I think we’re excited about football being back,” Larkin said. “With how the team did last year, the expectations they have and just talking to a few of the guys on the field, it’s a good thing to have. It’s good that the Lions have, we haven’t had much of that. Being out here makes me want to get back to work a little bit, it’s getting to that time.”
Last hockey season, the Red Wings were in the thick of the playoff push through the final regular season game. After narrowly missing a playoff berth, Larkin and the Red Wings are hoping that the momentum within the city can carry over between the Lions and Red Wings.
“We had multiple games last year where the Lions played and then we played after them at home,” Larkin said. “A lot of fans got to do both games and they brought the energy to our building. You could just feel it. We saw what the Lions were able to do and it motivated us in a really good way.”
