Kraft Hockeyville event much more than a preseason game for Red Wings

 

By @StefanKubus –

CALUMET – When the Detroit Red Wings took the ice for morning skate on Thursday, it certainly wasn’t what they were used to seeing and hearing.

The Calumet Colosseum was packed to watch their home team gear up for the 2019 Kraft Hockeyville game later that night, even breaking out in familiar “Let’s go Red Wings” chants.

Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill, who grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and actually played in the Colosseum at one point in his career, said the morning skate was easily one of the loudest he’s been a part of.

“It has to be up there for sure, good energy in the building, some ‘Let’s go Red Wings’ chants, so it was fun. It brings a ton of energy to us, so it was super fun.”

Waterford native Dylan Larkin made the trip up to Houghton to play Michigan Tech in his time with the Wolverines, which is only a 14-mile trip from the Colosseum down US-41. So he’s a little familiar with the passion the Copper Country has for hockey.

“I was talking to a kid and he was so excited to see NHL players on the ice that he skates on,” Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin said. “I couldn’t imagine as a kid, the rink I grew up playing on if guys came and skated let alone a NHL game, so it’s pretty cool, a lot of kids, which is the way it should be.

“I’ve been up here in Houghton playing against Michigan Tech; the fans love hockey up here. I think I saw a picture from the senior game and the place was sold out. It was pretty cool to be on the ice and the kids had the ‘Let’s go Red Wings’ chants. I expect the same tonight, and I’m really excited to be here.”

Larkin was obviously correct in expecting that same energy come game time, as the sold-out barn cheered Detroit on to a 4-1 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues. Anthony Mantha and Michael Rasmussen each netted a pair for Detroit.

“Obviously it’s a long day, but it was lots of fun,” Mantha said “The kids probably enjoyed it so that’s the main thing. We had a blast coming here. It’s actually a nice rink for 106 years old so can’t complain about that one.

“We wanted to give them a good show, and I think that’s exactly what we did.”

The Red Wings’ bench boss said he was looking forward to enjoying a certain U.P. delicacy after the game before heading back home to Detroit.

“It’s great, I got to have a pasty, I’m gonna have another pasty tonight, so that’s two pasties, that’s awesome,” Blashill said. “I love the U.P., it was an unbelievable place to grow up… it was great to be back, these are the type of people I like to be around: salt-of-the-earth, great people.”

And on a more serious note, Blashill said it was important to get the hometown flavor in the lineup for the fans, along with the regular big names and prospects of the future. In addition to Larkin, Danny DeKeyser (Detroit), Dominik Shine (Pinckney; Northern Michigan) and Troy Loggins (Northern Michigan) suited up for the Wings. Recent first-round picks Joe Veleno, Dennis Cholowski, Evgeny Svechnikov, Filip Zadina joined Rasmussen in the lineup.

“I did think it was really important to have a guy like Dylan Larkin up here, a guy like Danny DeKeyser, a Michigan born-and-bred guy up here, we have the line with Bertuzzi and Mantha… we have Veleno and Zadina, so some of the young guys for the fans to take a look at,” Blashill said.

While the team got the result it wanted on the ice, the message surrounding the entire event is what will stick with the Wings even more.

“I think it’s a great reminder, too, for us in the NHL how special we have it, what a great opportunity we have every day in our lives in the NHL and let’s make the most of it,” Blashill said. “These are reminders of that.”