Draper, Maltby, Holland talk about getting in shape for Alumni Showdown
By Stefan Kubus –
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings alumni hit the ice Wednesday afternoon in an effort to gear up for the Dec. 31 Alumni Showdown as part of the Sirius/XM Hockeytown Winter Festival.
Among the participants on the ice at Joe Louis Arena were the members of the original Grind Line: Kirk Maltby, Kris Draper and Joe Kocur. And despite not having their game legs underneath them just yet, the Red Wings alumni are already looking to skate as much as possible leading up to the big games.
“It’s amazing; no matter how much you go to the gym or whatever you do, there’s nothing like skating,” Draper said of getting back on the ice. “So, we’ve got some work to do.
“We were supposed to just skate Monday and Wednesday this week. Guys want to skate Friday, so Al gave us some ice Friday and now everyone is asking what dates we’re skating next week, so they’re getting into it.”
Maltby chimed in and said half of him felt like he was still playing in the NHL, just not the physical half.
“My mind was telling me to go fast, but my legs were just not moving, so I’m good for a couple down-and-backs and then it’s time for a change,” Maltby said with a laugh. “I actually think I might be handling the puck a little better, but it’s probably because I’m going so slow.”
He added that it’s still surreal being involved for a second time around, as he took part in the 2009 alumni game at Wrigley Field, and hopes to reunite with his fellow Grind Line members.
“Scotty will be coaching, so we’ll see what he feels like putting together,” Maltby said. “I’d rather put Mac (McCarty) out there, because Joey [Kocur] slashed me in the arm today and I’m not wearing shoulder pads, so he still doesn’t realize how strong he is.”
Red Wings GM Ken Holland was out tending goal to prepare himself for the big game at Comerica Park. He said he doesn’t think the effect of the game and the experience will truly hit him until he sets foot on that ice.
“I think once we all get on the ice at Comerica Park with thousands and thousands of people, Maple Leaf jerseys, Red Wings jerseys, it’s going to be a pretty special day,” Holland said. “I call it a walk down memory lane, not only for the fans, but for the players.”
Don’t let all the fun they’re having fool you; there’s no doubt that this group of alumni wants to come out victorious at Comerica Park over the Maple Leafs alumni.
“At Cheli’s Hall of Fame weekend, I ran into Doug Gilmour and Tie Domi and they started a little trash talking already,” Draper said. “I’m gonna see Tie tonight. I’m going to London to watch the junior game where his son plays, so he’s kind of giving it to me about the practices that we’re having.
Maltby echoed his former linemate’s thoughts.
“You never want to lose a game, regardless,” Maltby said. “To lose a game against the Leafs, it doesn’t matter if it’s an alumni game or a playoff game, we don’t want to lose and I’m sure their sentiments are the same.”
As Holland prepares for the Alumni Showdown, it’s just like being a kid again out there.
“Kris Draper is running us through a regular training camp, getting ready for the alumni game,” Holland said. “You go out there for an hour, we all go back, we’re like kids. It’s just fun.”
Holland was tending goal and sporting some particularly vintage pads straight out of 1985 when he retired from Adirondack.
“When I retired in 1985, I played with them the last game I ever played pro,” Holland said. “I put them in the basement, and about 10 years ago, I went rummaging around here for equipment, went through the garage and found them. I thought it would be good to put them on.”
Maltby chimed in on the pads, saying he has “road hockey equipment that looked better than that.”
But at the end of the day, in addition to winning and having fun, this group wants to give a strong showing for both their teammates and fans.
“I think, most importantly, you want to go out and represent yourself in good fashion really,” Draper said. “And I think that’s why guys wanted to start skating, just to get things going. Guys are going to have fun with it over the next month here.
“It’s a great time of year and for us to be involved in such a great rivalry and what I think is the biggest Winter Classic ever with the way the Illitch’s are doing it at Comerica Park for a week and then moving up to The Big House, so we’re very excited to be a part of this.”
The full list of participants for this year’s Alumni Showdown, a pair of games taking place Dec. 31 at Comerica Park in Detroit, can be found here.