A bit about players of Cuban descent in hockey, Donovan Sebrango included

The Detroit News’s Mark Falkner penned an article discussing former U of M goaltender Al Montoya’s role as a trailblazer for Cuban-American and Latinx players. Montoya is now the director of community outreach for the Dallas Stars, and Red Wings prospect Donovan Sebrango is aware of Montoya’s status as a role model:

Montoya’s trailblazing role and the publicity surrounding the NHL’s celebration of Hispanic heritage have piqued the interest of Red Wings prospect Donovan Sebrango, whose father Eduardo played for the Cuban national soccer team and with Montreal and Vancouver in the Major Soccer League.

“I remember being around the dressing room when he played in Montreal,” said Sebrango, who was raised by his mother Kim after his parents divorced when he was young. “It’s one of those things you don’t really talk about unless you’re asked but it’s pretty cool and a big responsibility to be one of the few players who have that background and can represent the community.”

A third-round draft pick by the Red Wings in 2020 and now playing with the team’s minor-league affiliate in Grand Rapids, the 19-year-old Sebrango said he was asked about his Cuban-Canadian background while growing up and playing hockey in Ottawa, Kingston and Kitchener and it’s now something he’s “interested in learning more about” and telling others about the “competitiveness” of playing hockey.

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Via Krupa: Russian Hockey Federation names Igor Larionov Olympic team coach

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Via the Detroit News’s Gregg Krupa on Twitter, the Russian Hockey Federation has announced that Igor Larionov has been named the coach of the Russian Olympic men’s hockey team:

The management group of the Russian national team has taken the decision to appoint Igor Larionov as the head coach of the Russian Olympic team (the reserve team of the senior national team), and Oleg Bratash as the head coach of the junior Russian national team.

Via TSN: Sportico ranks Wings as 10th-most-valuable NHL franchise

Via TSN: Sportico’s Kurt Badenhausen posted a list of the most valuable franchises in the NHL earlier this morning, and the Red Wings rank 10th in Sportico’s rankings:

Post-morning skate Tweets: DeKeyser, Staal, Blashill speak with the media

The Detroit Red Wings will start Alex Nedeljkovic tonight against the Tampa Bay Lighting (7:30 PM on BSD/BS Sun/97.1 FM), and after today’s morning skate, Danny DeKeyser spoke with the media, as noted by WXYZ’s Jeanna Trotman:

Danny Dekeyser: it’s a huge honor (to be named an alternate captain.) It’s a team I grew up watching. I had a dream as a kid to play here. pic.twitter.com/TyELYMvmMm— Jeanna Trotman (@JeannaTrotmanTV) October 14, 2021

Dekeyser said he agrees with a Jeff Blashill that there is more depth in the Wings’ defense this year than in years past. There’s a balanced mix of veteran guys, as well as younger players with potential. https://t.co/B8P0rVN9iX— Jeanna Trotman (@JeannaTrotmanTV) October 14, 2021

Danny DeKeyser said this group of guys is just ready to play. A lot of new faces and they’ll will have find their chemistry, but they are ready to play for real. #LGRW @DetroitRedWings— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) October 14, 2021

Marc Staal said he hasn’t been here very long but he smiled and said “it feels like I’ve been here forever.” He’s honored to wear an “A” #LGRW @DetroitRedWings— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) October 14, 2021

The Red Wings also welcomed fans back today:

Continue reading Post-morning skate Tweets: DeKeyser, Staal, Blashill speak with the media →

Two things: Free Press writers make their Wings predictions; Sears previews Wings-Bolts

Of Red Wings-related note this morning:

  1. The Free Press’s staffers made their NHL predictions today:

Helene St. James:

Best-case scenario: The Red Wings enjoy good health and play competitively — and finally win the draft lottery. 

Worst-case scenario: Injuries decimate the lineup, leading to finishing near the bottom of the standings, and then getting pushed back in the lottery again.

Breakout player: Lucas Raymond is the early favorite after such a good camp, but Moritz Seider may ultimately have the most impact as he strengthens the back end, and with that, the entire team.

Goals leader: Robby Fabbri. I would have picked Tyler Bertuzzi, but he stands to miss 10% of the Wings’ games because his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine means he can’t play in Canada, as it stands now.

Will they make the playoffs? Hard to see the Wings squeezing out one of the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins in the Atlantic Division, or beating out one of the Metropolitan’s Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders, New York Rangers or Pittsburgh Penguins for a wild-card spot. 

Continued;

2. DetroitRedWings.com’s Ethan Sears penned a Wings-Bolts preview of sorts:

Continue reading Two things: Free Press writers make their Wings predictions; Sears previews Wings-Bolts →

Red Wings-Lightning game-day updates 1: Bogosian out for Tampa Bay

Ahead of tonight’s game vs. the Detroit Red Wings (7:30 PM on BSD/BS Sun/97.1 FM), the Tampa Bay Lightning received bad news:

Andrej Sustr said it’s a “dream come true” to be back in #NHL. Said it crossed his mind while playing in Beijing that he might never play at this level again. Got the call in Syracuse after practice yesterday pic.twitter.com/4rBWcTrsYA— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) October 14, 2021

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