As the holidays approach, a group of Ilitch Companies colleagues came together to give back to the community by volunteering with Forgotten Harvest, an organization dedicated to fighting hunger and food insecurity across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties.

Forgotten Harvest is gearing up for a busy holiday season as the need for food assistance continues to grow. "We're able to serve about 100,000 families in the metro Detroit area each month,” said Mary Moore-Butler, Volunteer Program Manager at Forgotten Harvest. “With funding being cut, we're seeing people come through our doors that have never had to rely on organizations like ours in the past. So, we couldn't do what we do without volunteer groups assisting our organization and the impact that we make."

Colleagues generously donated their time at the Forgotten Harvest Warehouse in Oak Park, where they rolled up their sleeves to sort, pack, and prepare food boxes for families in need. Together, the team packed emergency food boxes and portioned large quantities of food into family-sized packages.

Some volunteers brought along their whole department to volunteer for the afternoon, working together to make a meaningful difference outside of the office. “We want to give back to our community, specifically where we live, where we work, said Monica Lippert, Purchasing Manager at Little Caesars. “It's really great to see what they do here. When you speak to them and see how much they're giving back to the community, it’s very impressive.”

By the end of the day, the group had helped package more than 10,000 pounds of food enough to provide thousands of meals to neighbors across Southeast Michigan.

This volunteer effort reflects Ilitch Companies’ ongoing commitment to making a positive impact in the communities where their colleagues live and work. It was a meaningful opportunity for colleagues to connect, collaborate, and contribute to a cause that truly serves the community.

Premium Access, All-Inclusive Dining, and New Climate-Controlled Indoor Seating Option Now Available

Detroit Tigers fans can now purchase season membership plans for the MotorCity Casino Hotel Tiger Club, one of Comerica Park’s most sought-after premium spaces. Previously accessible only through single-game reservations, the Tiger Club is now open for membership, offering fans exclusive club access with all-inclusive food & beverage and premium ballpark seating at an approachable price point, starting at just $99 per seat per game.

A highlight of the new membership offering is the debut of indoor, climate-controlled seating, available for the first time. This expanded space features 88 premium, cushioned seats positioned near floor-to-ceiling windows, offering unbeatable views of the action while ensuring comfort in any weather. Fans who prefer to sit outdoors can choose from sections beneath the Tiger Club.

The MotorCity Casino Hotel Tiger Club season memberships join Comerica Park’s lineup of premium experiences, complementing existing clubs and expanding value-driven options for fans. Developed in response to strong demand for additional club concepts at varying price tiers, the Tiger Club offers an inviting new pathway for fans seeking an enhanced game day experience.

MotorCity Casino Hotel Tiger Club Membership Highlights:

• Premium Experience at an Accessible Price – Exclusive club access beginning at just $99 per game.

• Prime Location – Options include exceptional sightlines from a new private, indoor, climate-controlled environment as well as outdoor seating in sections below the Club.

• Exclusive Amenities – Dedicated club space featuring its own bar and restrooms.

• All-Inclusive Ballpark Favorites – A curated menu of classic ballpark fare included with membership.

• Private Bar with Drink Specials – Signature cocktails and rotating drink specials available for purchase.

• Season-Long Access – Membership secures a full season of access to the Tiger Club and premium stadium seating.

Season memberships for the MotorCity Casino Hotel Tiger Club are available now. For more information or to secure your seats, visit www.mlb.com/tigers/ballpark/tiger-club.

Tickets are on sale on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. starting at $30 for the return of college hockey to Little Caesars Arena with the annual “Duel in the D,” presented by Meijer, set for Saturday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at 313Presents.com, the XFINITY Box Office at Little Caesars Arena and Ticketmaster.com.

The fans of Hockeytown will be treated to one of the most intense and exciting rivalries in college hockey, as the Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans men’s ice hockey teams will add another chapter in their storied rivalry and clash for the “Iron D” Trophy.

The “Duel in the D” matchup features the most-played rivalry in college hockey. The game will mark the 356th all-time meeting between the historic programs, with Michigan currently holding a 183-145-24 edge in the series.

Michigan State, currently ranked No. 3 in the nation by the USCHO poll, has won the “Iron D” Trophy in each of the last two seasons after losing six consecutive matchups against the Wolverines at Little Caesars Arena. The Spartans will face off against No. 1 Michigan three times this season (Dec. 5 at MSU; Dec. 6 at U-M; Feb. 6 at U-M) before their final regular season matchup in the “Duel in the D.”

“There’s nothing quite like the environment at Little Caesars Arena when Michigan and Michigan State play for the ‘Iron D’ trophy,” said Michigan Head Coach Brandon Naurato. “It marks not only an important game for the players and the league but for every sports fan in the state. Our program takes great pride in our Michigan roots, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who makes this game possible. We can’t wait to once again provide an unforgettable experience for everyone.”

“Having an opportunity to play in the greatest rivalry in college hockey in an NHL building is exciting for our program,” said Michigan State Head Coach Adam Nightingale. “Michigan State-Michigan brings out the best in both programs, and playing the game in front of 19,000 fans creates an atmosphere that is unmatched.  I have great memories of the games we played at Joe Louis Arena when I was a player, and we are appreciative that Little Caesars Arena and Ilitch Sports + Entertainment continues to give us this platform to showcase college hockey in the city of Detroit.”    

Tickets for the “Duel in the D” are on sale on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at 313Presents.com, Ticketmaster.com, the XFINITY Box Office at Little Caesars Arena or by calling the Red Wings Ticket Sales and Service office at 313-471-7575. Group discounts are available by calling 313 Presents Group Sales at 313-471-3099.

Players and broadcast personalities from Red Wings and Tigers help local children check off wish-list items

The Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers and Meijer teamed up to spread a little yuletide joy on Monday evening, treating 35 kids from the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) to a special shopping spree at a Meijer store in northwest Detroit for the annual Hometown Holiday Assist.

In attendance at this year’s seasonal giveback event were Red Wings forwards Patrick Kane, Lucas Raymond, Marco Kasper, Nate Danielson, Emmitt Finnie, Mason Appleton and defensemen Axel Sandin-Pellikka and Jacob Bernard-Docker, as well as radio play-by-play announcer Ken Kal, the television announcing duo of Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond, Tigers radio play-by-play announcer Dan Dickerson, Red Wings/Tigers television reporters Daniella Bruce and Logan Reever, and PAWS.

“It means a lot to do this,” Raymond said. “The support we get from Detroit as a city and fanbase is unbelievable, so to be part of an event like this around the holidays is amazing. We really enjoy it as much as the kids, if not more.”

A group of colleagues and volunteers from the Red Wings and Ilitch Sports + Entertainment also assisted the group of children at Meijer.

“It’s a great event,” Kane said. “My family, we did it last year and we really had a lot of fun helping the kids pick out toys and give back in that way. We wanted to do it again this year, so I brought them again and it was nice to give back a little bit.”

On Monday, which marked the 12th annual Hometown Holiday Assist, each child from Detroit PAL received $200 to spend at Meijer, a holiday-themed gift basket, $50 Meijer gift card and Little Caesars pizza party.

“It’s good to be able to give back,” Sandin-Pellikka said. “I’m sure the kids are really happy to be able to get a lot of the stuff they wanted for Christmas, so it’s awesome to see their faces and smiles.”

When it was time to check out, several Meijer shopping carts were filled to the brim with items ranging from stuffed animals to kick scooters to NERF blaster toys.

“It’s really cool to be able to do this,” Danielson said. “It’s cool to see how much the kids enjoy it. It takes you away from hockey, being able to help make these kids’ days.”

Detroit PAL is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help youth find their greatness through athletic, academic and leadership development programs.

“From a kid’s perspective, when they’re looking up and seeing the Red Wings, Tigers, personalities and police officers, it’s bigger than life for them,” said Detroit PAL CEO Fred Hunter. “And just to have dollars available for them to shop with their hearts, it’s special. For us, as a kids’ organization, we just want kids to have tremendous experiences.”

Giving back is a big part of the work the Red Wings do beyond the rink, and Appleton said spending his Monday evening making a positive impact in the Detroit community was truly meaningful.

“You’re fortunate when you can always celebrate Christmas with the family and have presents under the tree, and obviously, you want that for everyone,” Appleton said. “To take the time out tonight is nothing in comparison to how far something like this is going to go.”

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by Jonathan Mills for DetroitRedWings.com

A major new Detroit Historical Museum exhibition, Detroit Red Wings at 100: Becoming Hockeytown, matches the excitement of the Red Wings Centennial with highlights from the franchise’s championship seasons and memories of marquee players throughout the decades, along with the team’s many history-making moments.

Opening to the public on Thursday, Nov. 20, Detroit Red Wings at 100 offers something for every Red Wings fan. The exhibition fills three galleries in the Detroit Historical Museum – the City of Champions Gallery, the new Motor City Showcase, and the Detroit Artists Showcase – with rare artifacts from the Detroit Historical Society’s extensive collection, the team’s archives, and the Hockey Hall of Fame. The exciting memorabilia on display includes:

• Uniforms from Red Wings greats, including the Grind Line and the Russian Five

• Rarely seen Red Wings artifacts on loan from the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Windsor Community Museum

• Vintage Audio and Video clips of some of the greatest Red Wings moments in history

• A spotlight on every Red Wings player who has had his number retired

For the kids and anyone who loves a good selfie, there’s a chance to strike a pose with lockers just like the ones in Olympia Stadium. Fans will also have the chance to flash the original goal lights from Joe Louis Arena and hear the organ from Olympia Stadium, on display in the exhibition. The Red Wings were integral to the development of the new exhibit.

“It’s an honor to see a century of Red Wings history brought to life at the Detroit Historical Museum,” said Asia Gholston, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing. “Every decade has its own defining moments, and this exhibit gives our fans a special opportunity to celebrate the passion, pride, and legacy that have defined 100 years of Red Wings hockey.”

Detroit Red Wings at 100 is unique because it occupies multiple galleries in the museum. Visitors can see Steve Yzerman’s jersey from the 90s and a 2016 photo of Little Caesars Arena under construction in the Allesee Gallery of Culture on their way to the Motor City Showcase, where they will enjoy jerseys, Hockey Hall of Fame memorabilia, and oral histories from beloved Red Wings from every era.

From there, visitors will head upstairs to the City of Champions Gallery for a dazzling array of sounds, lights, and artifacts packed into one of the Museum’s most popular galleries. To finish their Detroit Red Wings at 100 experience, visitors will head across the catwalk lined with team photos from every professional Detroit hockey team, including the Detroit Falcons and the Detroit Cougars, to the Detroit Artists Showcase, which will feature photos from the fantastic photographers who have captured key Red Wings moments for 100 years.

This exhibition will be on display all season, giving fans plenty of opportunity to shop a unique assortment of vintage Red Wings merchandise in the Museum Store or stop by on their way to a game – the Museum parking lot is available for only $10 a day, and is just a half block away from the nearest QLine stop.

What better way to celebrate Veterans Day on November 11 than with the opening of Pingree Detroit’s first-ever retail store at 22 W. Columbia Street in The District Detroit? Pingree is a worker-owned maker of shoes, bags, and accessories handcrafted from upcycled automotive materials. This milestone represents far more than a storefront - it is a celebration of Detroit craftsmanship, sustainability, and the power of local ownership taking root in the city’s most dynamic district.

Pingree Detroit is part of The District Detroit Presents program which is designed to open doors for businesses of all sizes that want to bring unique, authentic dining and retail experiences to the heart of the city’s sports and entertainment district. Whether a business is launching a food truck, operating an in-venue location, testing a concept through a pop-up, or establishing a full brick-and-mortar presence, the program provides a pathway to grow, connect with diverse audiences, and become part of Detroit’s most dynamic destination. Pingree Detroit is a standout example of what this program is all about — a mission-driven, locally owned company whose craftsmanship, community impact, and Detroit-first values enrich Columbia Street and demonstrate how homegrown businesses can thrive and help shape the culture of The District Detroit.

“Pingree Detroit represents the very best of our city - innovation, craftsmanship, and a deep commitment to people and community,” said Keith Bradford, President of Olympia Development of Michigan. “Their worker-owned model and focus on sustainability embody the spirit of The District Detroit Presents program, which exists to elevate locally owned businesses and create pathways for Detroiters to thrive. We’re proud to welcome Pingree Detroit to Columbia Street and to support a company whose mission so clearly aligns with the future we’re building here in The District Detroit.”

Founded in 2015, Pingree Detroit operates as a worker-owned cooperative, where every employee has a stake in the business and 77% of profits are shared or reinvested locally. The company employs Detroiters and U.S. Veterans, offering living-wage jobs while transforming auto industry remnants into durable, high-quality goods.

In just a decade, the company has diverted more than 55,000 pounds of leather, vinyl, and seat belts from landfills - materials now reborn as handcrafted footwear, bags, and accessories. Alongside its environmental impact, Pingree provides free skilled-trades training in shoemaking, leathercraft, and industrial sewing, giving Veterans and Detroiters alike new opportunities to build sustainable careers.

“We’ve envisioned this moment for a decade,” said Nathaniel Crawford II, co-owner and Air Force Veteran. “For years, our products have been available in more than 18 stores nationwide and online but establishing a space of our own — right here in the heart of Detroit — marks a new chapter for us.

“This store is more than a showroom; it’s a place to tell our story, demonstrate our craftsmanship, and strengthen our connection to the community that shapes our work. Here, people can experience our custom footwear and locally made leather goods in the environment that inspired them.”

The new retail location will serve as both showroom and classroom, featuring a street-viewable workshop where customers can watch products being made on select days — including Footwear Fridays — and meet the artisans behind each piece.

Columbia Street, a pedestrian-only corridor between the historic Fox Theatre and Little Caesars Global Headquarters, is the heart of The District Detroit - the city’s premier live, work, play, and learn destination that unites Detroit’s four professional sports teams, world-class entertainment venues, top universities, and award-winning residential, retail, and office developments.

Opening on Veterans Day holds special meaning for Pingree Detroit, as many of its co-owners are Veterans who found renewed purpose through craftsmanship and collective ownership after service.

Pingree Detroit at 22 W. Columbia Street will be open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Games to Feature Vancouver and Boston on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET and New York and Montréal on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 1 p.m. ET

Ticket presale begins Thursday Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. ET, followed by the general on-sale on Friday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. ET

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) today announced that Little Caesars Arena in Detroit will host two of the 16 neutral-site games in the expanded 2025-26 PWHL Takeover Tour™. This exciting tour brings many of the top women’s hockey players in the world to cities across North America, giving fans a chance to experience the competitiveness of the PWHL’s regular season in their own communities.

As part of this special tour, Little Caesars Arena will host a matchup between the Vancouver Goldeneyes and Boston Fleet on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. ET, and a second game between the New York Sirens and Montréal Victoire on Saturday, Mar. 28 at 1 p.m. ET. Tickets will be available with a presale on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. ET, followed by the general on-sale on Friday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased at ThePWHL.com/Tickets.

This season’s 16 games will be contested in 11 different locations spanning the United States and Canada. The PWHL will visit seven new cities, including Calgary, Chicago, Dallas, Halifax, Hamilton, Washington, D.C. and Winnipeg, and will return to Denver, Detroit, Edmonton and Québec City. Last season’s Tour drew 123,601 fans with record-breaking crowds across nine games, sparking new fan engagement and expanding the PWHL’s reach beyond its home markets.

Detroit set a new U.S. record for professional women’s hockey attendance with 14,288 fans at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2025 for a PWHL game between the New York Sirens and the Minnesota Frost. The game also marked the milestone of the league surpassing one million fans in total attendance since its launch.

“Season Two’s PWHL Takeover Tour™ was the first of its kind, giving fans across North America the chance to experience the excitement of a regular-season game in their home venues,” said Amy Scheer, PWHL Executive Vice President of Business Operations. “The passion and support from fans, and the enthusiasm from cities eager to engage with our league, have fueled our ambition to grow the Tour for Season Three.”

“Detroit has proven it’s a destination for world-class women’s sports,” said Ryan Gustafson, President and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “The excitement fans showed for the first two record-breaking PWHL games at Little Caesars Arena was remarkable, and we’re proud to welcome the league back as interest in women’s hockey continues to soar. Hosting the PWHL again reflects our commitment to creating more opportunities for fans to experience elite competition and keep growing the game here in Hockeytown.”

Ally Financial is a presenting partner for the PWHL Takeover Tour™ games at Little Caesars Arena.

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The Detroit Tigers today announced three new additions to the major league coaching staff and a series of promotions and new hires within their baseball operations department.

Cody Asche has been named major league assistant hitting coach. Asche spent the 2025 campaign as the hitting coach for the Baltimore Orioles, his third and final season on their coaching staff after serving as a strategy coach for two seasons before his promotion. After five seasons as a player with the Philadelphia Phillies (2013-16) and Chicago White Sox (2017), Asche began his coaching career as a hitting coach in Philadelphia’s minor league system in 2021 before being named a hitting coordinator in Baltimore’s minor league system in 2022.

Billy Boyer has been promoted to major league quality coach after serving as Detroit’s minor league field coordinator and infield coordinator in 2025. The 2026 campaign will mark Boyer’s third year in his second stint with the organization, as he previously served as Detroit’s infield coordinator in 2022 before spending one season as an assistant coach with the University of Washington in 2023. Prior to joining the Tigers for the first time, Boyer was a minor league infield and baserunning coordinator with Minnesota (2019-21) and an assistant coach with Seattle University (2018).

Anthony Sanders has been named major league first base coach after spending the last six seasons in the same role with the Baltimore Orioles. Prior to joining the Orioles, Sanders spent the previous 13 seasons at a variety of levels within Colorado’s minor league system starting in 2007, including multiple campaigns as a manager, a hitting coach and a minor league coordinator.  He reached the big leagues as a player with the Toronto Blue Jays (1999) and Seattle Mariners (2000-01) and won a Gold Medal with Team USA at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games.

Dr. Georgia Giblin has been promoted to Vice President, Health & Performance. In this new role, Dr. Giblin will lead all the organization’s health & performance teams in driving a fully comprehensive approach to the health and development of players. Dr. Giblin had most recently been promoted to Vice President, Baseball Performance Science prior to the 2025 campaign and the 2026 season will mark her sixth with the Tigers organization. She originally joined the club in 2021 as a post-doctorate fellow through a partnership with the University of Michigan.

Alex Smith has been named Vice President, Baseball Strategy. Smith joins the Tigers after having spent the past 11 seasons in a variety of roles with the Chicago Cubs in and out of uniform, most recently as major league strategy coach. He also served in Chicago as coordinator of baseball operations and assistant director of major league data & development. With Detroit, Smith will oversee baseball strategy, pro scouting & acquisitions and major league advance.

Christian Hook has been promoted to Director, Pitching Evaluation. In his new role, Hook will work with stakeholders throughout baseball operations to drive comprehensive pitching evaluation across the Tigers organization. Hook joined the Tigers in 2022 from Driveline and has played a pivotal role in pitching evaluation and development efforts throughout the organization.

Brad Ciolek has been named Director, International Scouting. Ciolek joins the organization after serving as the senior director of amateur scouting for the Washington Nationals for the past two seasons. He previously spent 11 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, where he worked in several leadership roles within their scouting departments, including Director of Draft Operations. As part of Ciolek’s appointment, Tom Moore will transition to Senior Advisor, International Operations. Moore will continue to play a critical role for the organization in several important areas, including the current Dominican Republic Academy construction project and staff development.

Theo Hooper has been named Assistant Director, Amateur Scouting. Hooper joins the organization after serving as major league staff assistant with the Texas Rangers for the past four seasons. He previously interned with the Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, and Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Summer League, and was a Student Assistant for the University of Tennessee Baseball program.

Ilitch Companies colleagues teamed up with a nonprofitorganization, Leveling the Playing Field, at their Detroit warehouse to sortand inventory donated youth sports equipment and assemble display items.Colleagues also helped load a donation box onto a truck that will be used tocollect sports equipment in the local area. This hands-on effort provided agreat opportunity to make a meaningful impact for local kids and teams. 

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