The Red Wings chose to relocate their summer development camp to Little Caesars Arena for this summer, and not hard to understand why the Wings would want their prospects and prospective free agent signings to enjoy the comforts of a two-thirds-of-a-billion-dollar arena.
The Red Wings’ practice facility will both wow the prospects and serve as something of a recruitment tool, as the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan notes:
The camp is being relocated to Little Caesars Arena from Traverse City’s Centre ICE Arena, where it’s been held for multiple years.
In Traverse City, players had the beach, could golf, and various outdoor activities they could take part in with fellow draft picks. But the switch to LCA — specifically the Belfor Training Center (the practice rink) — has different benefits.
“I love it,” [Wings director of player development Shawn] Horcoff said. “It gives them a chance to work in an NHL facility, a chance to see what it’s like here, and it gives them something to aspire.”
Essentially, the young players will live the life of an NHL player this week, getting to see how the NHL trains on and off the ice.
“With the benefits of having a state of the art facility, players will have an opportunity to work with Mike Kader (strength and conditioning coach) in the training facility, they’ll have their meals prepared for them (in the dining area), use the locker rooms,” Martin said. “It’s an excellent opportunity for them.”
Ben Simon, the Grand Rapids Griffins new head coach, and staff from the Wings minor league affiliate Toledo Walleye will handle the majority of on-ice practices, with Horcoff and Dan Cleary also participating.
A limited number of free tickets remain on a first-come, first-served basis for the practices and scrimmage.
According to Kulfan, all 10 draft picks from this past weekend’s draft will be making their way to Detroit for the development camp.