It is a magical time in The District Detroit as Columbia Street transforms into a Winter Wonderland and The Grinch is in town to kick off the festivities. Presented by Michigan First Credit Union, this year’s Winter Wonderland will dazzle everyone from the youngest at heart to The Grinch himself with its Candy Land theme. Join us Friday, November 22, when The Grinch visits Columbia Street and makes a special stop at JoJo’s ShakeBAR from 11:00 a.m. to noon to take photos and to create fun for everyone.  If you can’t make it Friday, you can enjoy Winter Wonderland seven days a week now through January 5.  

Columbia Street Winter Wonderland presented by Michigan First Credit Union is free and open to the public. The picturesque, pedestrian-only street will be Candy Land sweet, and everyone is invited to take a stroll, capture a special moment, and shop or dine at one of its incredible small businesses.  

Columbia Street is nestled between the Fox Theatre and Little Caesars Global Headquarters, across from Comerica Park and is home to JoJo’s ShakeBAR, Union Assembly, Sahara, Frita Batidos, Good Cakes and Bakes and Detroit Vs Everybody.

JoJo’s ShakeBAR is located at 88 W. Columbia Street in Detroit. To take pictures with The Grinch, reservations are encouraged. While there, enjoy JoJo’s special menu for the season. For a limited time, you can get The Grinch Shake and enjoy towering, eight-foot nutcrackers, giant ornaments, twinkling string lights, and Christmas trees in every corner. Whether you're catching A Charlie Brown Christmas or The Grinch at the Fox Theatre, or heading to a Red Wings a game, Columbia Street has everything you need to fuel your festive fun.

More fun is to be had at Union Assembly as they bring back “Cocktails & Cable Knits.” Their retro-vibed pop up is happening now on through January 5, 2025, on the second floor. This immersive holiday experience will offer holiday-themed activities, a '50s and '60s vibe with swanky cocktails and holiday-themed food, as well as festive gifts for sale.

Whether it is dining, shopping, or time with friends and family, Columbia Street has something for everyone this holiday season.

Once again 313 Presents is proud to present Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical for nine performances at the Fox Theatre from Wednesday, November 27 through Sunday, December 1 as part of the 2024-25 Fox Theatre Series presented by Comerica Bank. Hailed by The New York Times as “100 times better than any bedtime story,” this classic holiday musical will enchant adults and children alike.

Columbia Street Winter Wonderland is presented by Michigan First Credit Union. Founded in 1926, Michigan First Credit Union has been dedicated to serving the community with financial support and guidance since its inception as Detroit Teachers Credit Union. Today, Michigan First Credit Union serves over 165,000 members.

The District Detroit is the city's world class sports and entertainment district where memories are made.  Managed by Ilitch Companies Olympia Development, The District Detroit offers award-winning restaurants, sports and entertainment venues, residential housing, class A office buildings, hotels and nationally recognized educational institutions.

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Following a standout rookie season in 2024, Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith has been voted Tigers Rookie of the Year by the Detroit Sports Media Association.

Keith, the club’s fifth round selection in the 2020 MLB Draft, played an everyday role in helping propel the Tigers back to the postseason for the first time since 2014. He finished the season slashing .260/.309/.380 with a team-leading 35 multi-hit games, which was tied for the most among American League rookies. Keith totaled 15 doubles, four triples, 13 home runs and 61 RBI across 148 games in 2024.

His overall numbers are even more impressive when taking into account a tough start to his rookie campaign, posting a .387 OPS over 99 plate appearances in March and April. From May 8 through the end of the regular season, he ranked fourth among Major League rookies (min. 200 plate appearances) with a .284 batting average, 118 hits, and 178 total bases, while he was fifth with 53 RBI.

During the season he was also voted American League Rookie of the Month for July. In 25 games played during the month, he hit .322/.404/.644 with a double, three triples, seven home runs, and 17 RBI. Among all American League players over that span, he ranked tied for seventh in home runs, ninth in total bases (56), and 10th in slugging percentage.

Keith became Detroit's second rookie since 1988 to log 130-or-more hits, 30-or-more extra-base hits and 60-or-more RBI in a season, joining Nick Castellanos in 2014. His 1.8 fWAR in 2024 ranked as the fifth-most in a season by a Tigers rookie since 2000.

The Detroit Sports Media Association has named a Tigers Rookie of the Year each season dating back to 1969, with Tyler Holton earning the honor in 2023.

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Buffalo, Denver, Detroit, Raleigh, St. Louis and Seattle to host U.S. games; Québec City and Vancouver will serve as Canadian Stops

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) today launched the PWHL Takeover Tour™, a slate of nine regular-season neutral-site games that will be played outside the League’s current complement of cities.

The games will be contested in a variety of locations across the United States and Canada, sprawling from the Pacific Northwest with Seattle and Vancouver to as far east as Québec City and as far south as Raleigh, N.C. Only Ilitch Sports + Entertainment-owned Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, which was home to a PWHL contest on March 16 and boasted a U.S. professional women’s hockey attendance record of 13,736, will serve as the return host of a neutral-site game in the League’s second season.

“Bringing PWHL games to fans across both countries is a natural next step as we continue building our audience,” said Amy Scheer, PWHL Senior Vice President of Business Operations. “When exploring potential locations for a PWHL game, the enthusiasm from cities eager to engage with our League was incredibly encouraging. The PWHL Takeover Tour lets us showcase our game and exceptional athletes across a wider North American footprint—an exciting moment for our players and an important move for our business as we consider expansion.”

The nine games will be played in 84 days beginning Jan. 5, 2025, predominantly at NHL venues. All six PWHL teams will participate at least twice in the Takeover Tour, with the Montréal Victoire and Ottawa Charge playing four games, the Boston Fleet and Minnesota Frost appearing in three and the New York Sirens and Toronto Sceptres playing two.

Tickets for the PWHL Takeover Tour will be available starting with presales beginning Thursday, Nov. 21, followed by the general on-sale on Friday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. (local time). Tickets can be purchased at thepwhl.com/tickets.

The Schedule

Sun., Jan. 5 at 4:00 p.m.

Montréal at Boston at Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle

Wed., Jan. 8, 10:00 p.m.

Montréal at Toronto at Rogers Arena, Vancouver

Sun., Jan. 12, 3:00 p.m.

Montréal at Minnesota at Ball Arena, Denver

Sun., Jan. 19, 1:00 p.m.

Ottawa at Montréal at Videotron Centre, Québec City*

Sun., Feb. 16, time and location TBA

Toronto at Ottawa

Sun., Feb. 23, 4:00 p.m.

Boston at New York at KeyBank Center, Buffalo

Fri., March 7, 4:00 p.m.

Ottawa at Minnesota at Lenovo Center, Raleigh

Sun., March 16, 7:30 p.m.

Minnesota at New York at Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

Sat., March 29, 2:00 p.m.

Ottawa at Boston at Enterprise Center, St. Louis

*Québec City is currently on-sale

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Detroit Places Patrick Kane on Injured Reserve Retroactive to Nov. 23

The Detroit Red Wings today recalled defenseman William Lagesson from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Additionally, the Red Wings have placed right wing Patrick Kane on injured reserve retroactive to Nov. 23.

Lagesson, 28, has recorded five points (2-3-5), a plus-nine rating and 14 penalty minutes in 13 games with the Griffins to begin the 2024-25 season. The 6-foot-2, 213-pound defenseman split the 2023-24 campaign between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks, tallying four assists, a plus-five rating and 19 penalty minutes in 30 games with the Maple Leafs before logging 13 penalty minutes in 10 games with the Ducks. Lagesson also picked up one assist in five appearances with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in 2023-24. Originally selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round (91st overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Lagesson has totaled 11 assists, a plus-two rating and 54 penalty minutes in 100 games with the Oilers, Montréal Canadiens, Maple Leafs and Ducks since 2019-20. He has also collected 77 points (23-54-77), a plus-42 rating and 132 penalty minutes in 186 AHL games with the Bakersfield Condors, Chicago Wolves, Marlies and Griffins. Lagesson began the 2020-21 season with HC Vita Hästen and Kristianstads IK in Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan, posting 12 points (3-9-12), a plus-six rating and 12 penalty minutes in 14 games. He made his professional debut with Djurgårdens IF in the Swedish Hockey League in 2017-18, registering 13 points (1-12-13), a plus-13 rating and 30 penalty minutes in 49 regular-season games, in addition to one assist in 11 postseason contests.

Prior to turning professional, Lagesson played two seasons at the University of Massachusetts from 2015-17, recording 15 points (4-11-15) and 54 penalty minutes in 63 games. He spent the 2014-15 season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League, notching 16 points (2-14-16), a plus-18 rating and 79 penalty minutes in 52 regular-season games, along with two points (1-1-2) in eight playoff matchups. A native of Gothenburg, Sweden, Lagesson developed in Frölunda HC’s system before arriving in North America. On the international stage, Lagesson represented his country at back-to-back IIHF World Junior Championships in 2015 and 2016, combining for four points (2-2-4), a plus-eight rating and 12 penalty minutes in 14 games. He also competed for Sweden at the 2014 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, netting three goals, a plus-five rating and six penalty minutes in seven games. Lagesson played at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, showing two points (2-2-4) in four appearances. He won a gold medal with Sweden at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, contributing one assist and 12 penalty minutes in six games.

Detroit places Alex Lyon on injured reserve retroactive to Nov. 27

The Detroit Red Wings today recalled goaltender Sebastian Cossa from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions. Additionally, the Red Wings have placed goaltender Alex Lyon on injured reserve retroactive to Nov. 27.

Cossa, 22, has posted a 9-4-1 record with a 2.21 goals-against average, a 0.925 save percentage and one shutout in 14 appearances with the Griffins to begin the 2024-25 season. The 6-foot-6, 222-pound goaltender spent the entire 2023-24 campaign with the Griffins, logging a 22-9-9 record with a 2.41 goals-against average, a 0.913 save percentage and two shutouts in 40 regular-season games. Cossa also finished 5-4 with a 2.72 goals-against average and a 0.900 save percentage in nine Calder Cup Playoff games, helping the Griffins reach the Central Division Finals. Selected by the Red Wings in the first round (15th overall) of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Cossa has compiled a 32-14-10 record with a 2.49 goals-against average, a 0.911 save percentage and three shutouts in 57 AHL games with the Griffins. He also showed a 26-16-4 record with a 2.56 goals-against average, a 0.913 save percentage and four shutouts in 46 appearances with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye in 2022-23, representing the Western Conference at the 2023 ECHL All-Star Game.

Prior to turning professional, Cossa spent three seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Edmonton Oil Kings from 2019-22, posting a 71-16-7 record with a 2.12 goals-against average, a 0.921 save percentage and 14 shutouts in 98 appearances. Cossa backstopped the Oil Kings to a WHL championship in 2022, earning a place on the Central Division’s First All-Star Team. During the 2020-21 season, Cossa authored a 17-1-1 record and led the WHL in goals-against average (1.57) and save percentage (0.941), while tying for the league lead with four shutouts. Cossa also played three seasons with the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers in the Alberta minor hockey ranks from 2016-19, earning a league championship in addition to Top Goaltender and Most Valuable Player honors in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League in 2016-17. On the international stage, Cossa won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording a victory in his only appearance at the tournament. The Hamilton, Ont., native also played in two games with Canada White at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

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• Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Pavel Datsyuk to drop ceremonial puck pregame

• First 5,000 fans receive a Datsyuk commemorative coin, presented by Nexstar Digital

• The Stanley Cup, Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, and Frank J. Selke Trophy will be on display for photos

• Fans encouraged to be in their seats by 6:40 p.m.

• Tickets available at DetroitRedWings.com

The Hockey Hall of Fame’s newest inductee and 14-year member of the Detroit Red Wings, Pavel Datsyuk, will be honored by the team at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday, Nov. 21 prior and during the Red Wings game against the New York Islanders.

Fans can purchase tickets for this historic evening and join in the celebration of Datsyuk’s illustrious NHL career. The first 5,000 fans will receive a Datsyuk commemorative coin, presented by Nexstar Digital.

"I am deeply honored to be recognized by the Red Wings and the incredible fans of Detroit,” Datsyuk said. “This city has always been like a second home to me, and the love and support I’ve felt here is something I will carry with me forever. Being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame is a testament to the amazing teammates and coaches I’ve had and the passionate Hockeytown fans who packed the house for every game. I can’t wait to return to Detroit and share this moment with all of you. I look forward to seeing everyone on November 21."

The Red Wings host the Islanders for a 7 p.m. puck drop, and fans are encouraged to arrive early to receive a commemorative Datsyuk coin, take photos with some of the NHL’s most prestigious trophies and witness an exciting heritage display of Datsyuk’s game-used items. Fans should plan to be in their seats by 6:40 p.m. to see Datsyuk perform the ceremonial puck drop before the game.

Photo opportunities for fans include the Stanley Cup, Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, Frank J. Selke Trophy and Datsyuk’s manhole cover on the Little Caesars Arena Via concourse. The heritage display features historic photos and items, including Datsyuk’s helmet from his rookie season, a game-used stick, game-used skates, a game-used jersey from his final season with the Red Wings and more.  

Datsyuk, known as the “Magic Man”, played 14 seasons in the NHL, from 2001 - 2016, all with the Red Wings. His magnificent career was highlighted by two Stanley Cup championships (2002, 2008) and several individual honors, including four consecutive Lady Byng Trophies for sportsmanship and three straight Selke Trophies as the league's top defensive forward. He amassed 918 points (314 goals, 604 assists) in 953 regular-season games and earned a reputation as one of the most complete players in NHL history. Datsyuk was a four-time NHL All-Star, named one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the 2024 induction class.

For information on all Red Wings theme nights and promotional items, visit DetroitRedWings.com

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Blueliner Has Played in 100 NHL Games with Oilers, Canadiens, Maple Leafs and Ducks Since 2019-20

The Detroit Red Wings today assigned defenseman William Lagesson to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

Lagesson, 28, has recorded five points (2-3-5), a plus-10 rating and 12 penalty minutes in 11 games with the Griffins to begin the 2024-25 season. The 6-foot-2, 213-pound defenseman split the 2023-24 campaign between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks, tallying four assists, a plus-five rating and 19 penalty minutes in 30 games with the Maple Leafs before logging 13 penalty minutes in 10 games with the Ducks. Lagesson also picked up one assist in five appearances with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in 2023-24. Originally selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round (91st overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Lagesson has totaled 11 assists, a plus-two rating and 54 penalty minutes in 100 games with the Oilers, Montréal Canadiens, Maple Leafs and Ducks since 2019-20. He has also collected 77 points (23-54-77), a plus-43 rating and 130 penalty minutes in 184 AHL games with the Bakersfield Condors, Chicago Wolves, Marlies and Griffins. Lagesson began the 2020-21 season with HC Vita Hästen and Kristianstads IK in Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan, posting 12 points (3-9-12), a plus-six rating and 12 penalty minutes in 14 games. He made his professional debut with Djurgårdens IF in the Swedish Hockey League in 2017-18, registering 13 points (1-12-13), a plus-13 rating and 30 penalty minutes in 49 regular-season games, in addition to one assist in 11 postseason contests.

Prior to turning professional, Lagesson played two seasons at the University of Massachusetts from 2015-17, recording 15 points (4-11-15) and 54 penalty minutes in 63 games. He spent the 2014-15 season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League, notching 16 points (2-14-16), a plus-18 rating and 79 penalty minutes in 52 regular-season games, along with two points (1-1-2) in eight playoff matchups. A native of Gothenburg, Sweden, Lagesson developed in Frölunda HC’s system before arriving in North America. On the international stage, Lagesson represented his country at back-to-back IIHF World Junior Championships in 2015 and 2016, combining for four points (2-2-4), a plus-eight rating and 12 penalty minutes in 14 games. He also competed for Sweden at the 2014 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, netting three goals, a plus-five rating and six penalty minutes in seven games. Lagesson played at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, showing two points (2-2-4) in four appearances. He won a gold medal with Sweden at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, contributing one assist and 12 penalty minutes in six games.

Blueliner Has Played in 100 NHL Games with Oilers, Canadiens, Maple Leafs and Ducks Since 2019-20

The Detroit Red Wings today recalled defenseman William Lagesson from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

Lagesson, 28, has recorded five points (2-3-5), a plus-10 rating and 12 penalty minutes in 11 games with the Griffins to begin the 2024-25 season. The 6-foot-2, 213-pound defenseman split the 2023-24 campaign between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks, tallying four assists, a plus-five rating and 19 penalty minutes in 30 games with the Maple Leafs before logging 13 penalty minutes in 10 games with the Ducks. Lagesson also picked up one assist in five appearances with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in 2023-24. Originally selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round (91st overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Lagesson has totaled 11 assists, a plus-two rating and 54 penalty minutes in 100 games with the Oilers, Montréal Canadiens, Maple Leafs and Ducks since 2019-20. He has also collected 77 points (23-54-77), a plus-43 rating and 130 penalty minutes in 184 AHL games with the Bakersfield Condors, Chicago Wolves, Marlies and Griffins. Lagesson began the 2020-21 season with HC Vita Hästen and Kristianstads IK in Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan, posting 12 points (3-9-12), a plus-six rating and 12 penalty minutes in 14 games. He made his professional debut with Djurgårdens IF in the Swedish Hockey League in 2017-18, registering 13 points (1-12-13), a plus-13 rating and 30 penalty minutes in 49 regular-season games, in addition to one assist in 11 postseason contests.

Prior to turning professional, Lagesson played two seasons at the University of Massachusetts from 2015-17, recording 15 points (4-11-15) and 54 penalty minutes in 63 games. He spent the 2014-15 season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League, notching 16 points (2-14-16), a plus-18 rating and 79 penalty minutes in 52 regular-season games, along with two points (1-1-2) in eight playoff matchups. A native of Gothenburg, Sweden, Lagesson developed in Frölunda HC’s system before arriving in North America. On the international stage, Lagesson represented his country at back-to-back IIHF World Junior Championships in 2015 and 2016, combining for four points (2-2-4), a plus-eight rating and 12 penalty minutes in 14 games. He also competed for Sweden at the 2014 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, netting three goals, a plus-five rating and six penalty minutes in seven games. Lagesson played at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, showing two points (2-2-4) in four appearances. He won a gold medal with Sweden at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, contributing one assist and 12 penalty minutes in six games.

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Goaltender Has Appeared in 133 Games with St. Louis and Detroit Since 2020-21

The Detroit Red Wings today recalled goaltender Ville Husso from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions.

Husso, 29, has started one game with the Red Wings during the 2024-25 season. The 6-foot-3, 208-pound netminder has also posted a 2-0-0 record with a 1.23 goals-against average, a 0.958 save percentage and one shutout in three appearances with the Griffins this season. Husso was limited to 19 appearances with Detroit in 2023-24, logging a 9-5-2 record with a 3.55 goals-against average and an 0.892 save percentage. He also stopped all 25 shots he faced with the Griffins on Jan. 26 against the Belleville Senators during a conditioning stint. Originally selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fourth round (94th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Husso has compiled a 69-41-16 record with a 3.03 goals-against average, a 0.902 save percentage and seven shutouts in 133 appearances with the Blues and Red Wings since 2020-21. Additionally, Husso has posted a 53-54-16 record with a 2.65 goals-against average, a 0.910 save percentage and 12 shutouts in 133 AHL games with the Chicago Wolves, San Antonio Rampage and Griffins, earning a place on the AHL All-Rookie Team in 2017-18.  

A native of Helsinki, Finland, Husso played three seasons with HIFK in Finland's SM-Liiga from 2013-16 prior to arriving in North America, finishing with a 60-33-21 record and 10 shutouts in 121 appearances. In his final season with HIFK, Husso was named to the SM-Liiga All-Star Team and captured the Urpo Ylönen Award as the league's top goaltender after recording the circuit's best goals-against average (1.91) and save percentage (0.927) in 39 games during the 2015-16 campaign. On the international stage, Husso represented Finland at the 2018 IIHF World Championship, showing a 1-2-0 record with a 2.33 goals-against average and an 0.863 save percentage in three appearances. He also competed at back-to-back IIHF World Junior Championships in 2014 and 2015, winning a gold medal at the 2014 tournament. Husso was a member of Finland’s bronze-medal entry at the 2013 IIHF World Under-18 Championship and made three appearances at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.

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