Shaved Ice – July 22

Back to that work week grind…

Well Friday was rather eventful. Was rather frustrating that yours truly was at lunch when all the news broke, but nonetheless, we still got everything covered. Here’s what you missed (or what you should take another look at) during that 100-degree day, in regards to hockey at our highest level:

These eight teams will be competing in the ‘Atlantic Division’ of the NHL’s Eastern Conference next season. The league released the new division names – the Western Conference’s Pacific and Central, and the East’s Atlantic and Metropolitan (I know, there’s been a few cringes after people hear that one).

The league also released their full schedule – here’s a look at the Red Wings’ first slate of games in their new division and conference. If you don’t want to read the whole schedule, here are the games I’ve already circled on my calendar. There are going to be some good ones, that’s for sure. Anybody want to pay for my HBO subscription starting in December?

The other big news in the new schedule announcement was that there’s a big gap in February – NHL players will be able to skate in the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. That means Grand Haven native Dan Bylsma will be joined by some other Michigan natives (hopefully) – probably one that wears a Vancouver sweater, one that wears a Buffalo sweater, maybe one that wears a Detroit sweater…

We’ve been spending some time at the Perani’s blowout sale at Farmington Hills this week (why wouldn’t we?) – check out our photo gallery of the event right here.

Check out this Fox Sports Detroit Wingspan feature on the Griffins.

The remarkable recovery by Zach Redmond continues – the former Ferris State star has signed a one-year deal with Winnipeg just months after a terrible leg injury in practice cut his first NHL season short.

TSN is reporting that when the Team Canada coaching staff is announced for the upcoming Olympics, Red Wings coach Mike Babcock will once again be the head coach.

Speaking of Team Canada, Red Wings draftees Anthony Mantha and Jake Paterson have been invited to the Canadian World Junior evaluation camp. Connor McDavid has been invited as well – he’s only two or three years younger than the majority of the participants.

Check out the NHL national TV broadcast schedule for next season: NBC | NBC Sports Network | NHL Network | CBC

Sam Gagne has signed a three-year, $14.4-million deal with the Oilers.

We’re giving away CCM RBZ skates to help you deal with the heat this summer. It’s really pretty simple on how to enter – all you have to do is post a picture/video on a social media channel that has to do with how you’re staying connected to hockey this summer, and use the hashtag #MiSummerHKY so we know you did so. For more information on it, click the image below.

We’ll be here all week.