I was going to write a post today about how great it is to see the youth movement in Detroit coming up big in the playoffs. The new era is shifting well though its growing pains. Gustav Nyquist made NHL history when he became the first rookie to record his first two playoff points both in overtime (goal, assist - two different games for those that were all "huh?")
.April in the D is almost over; but hopefully that does not mean Johan Franzen is done playing.
April is when the Mule finally decides to wake up and play some hockey and he did not disappoint in that fashion yet again.
Captain Henrik Zetterberg was not about to allow the Red Wings to miss their 22nd straight trip the NHL post season on his watch.
About an hour north of Hockeytown Flint, Michigan sits as a slowly dying hockey area.
Born in Flint and raised in a small town, and by small I mean one stop light at the time small town, outside of Flint I can remember as a kid the excitement of going to what was then the Flint IMA to see the … again THEN Flint Generals.
.Officially Official once again.
That’s right once again the NHL has announced that the Detroit Red Wings will play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs for the next Winter Classic.
2013 has become the new 2014.
.This past weekend Team Tootoo finally made its presence known in the Detroit area.
Not much talk anymore about impact the lockout had on the communities; but one angle that was not touched on often were charity events. Annually the Detroit Red Wings have the Salvation Army Red Kettle bell ringing competitions with players and staff trying to raise money.
And so it begins…
In just a few hours the NHL will finally drop the puck and start the 2012-2013 season and the Red Wings will officially begin The New Era.
“Sons of Detroit! Of Windsor! My brothers. I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of all fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day.
Long past are the days of the Yzerman Era in Detroit. No longer does Steve Yzerman suit up in a winged wheel; rather now he puts on a suit and is developing the Tampa Bay Lightning.
No longer does Nicklas Lidstrom patrol the blue line in Detroit, leading the Red Wings by example of the greatest defenseman to ever play the game.
.Now that the NHL is looking to start up soon lets not forget that these are not the only hockey athletes we have.
In fact college hockey has been here all along.
On February 2nd college hockey returns to Joe Louis Arena in Detroit with a cause other than playing hated rivals: Battle of the Badges
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Finally snow has fallen on Michigan and that means the lakes will be freezing soon and pond hockey will be keeping hockey fans busy during this NHL lockout.
January 18th-20th The Lake Fenton Winter Classic is returning!
.You don't have to be a Penn State fan, nor a football fan - heck even a sports fan - to know about what went down at Penn State; is USA Hockey looking at something similar?
I woke this morning to a story by Stepheh Heisler over at JuniorHockey.com that calls into question whether or not USA Hockey's Executive Director Dave Ogrean should resign.
.Off-Ice Instigating is where you can find the views and opinions of Monica McAlister. For 140 character chirps be sure to follow @MonicaMcAlister on Twitter.