In a continued effort to recognize and celebrate individuals who are making a difference in Metro Detroit, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment will be honoring four women as part of their Game Changers series during Women’s History Month. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 14, prior to the Detroit Red Wings hosting the Arizona Coyotes at 7 p.m. This event is presented by Comerica Bank and aligns with the Red Wings’ commitment to inclusivity through the Hockey is for Everyone initiative.  

March’s Game Changers honorees will be acknowledged during a pregame reception and in-game, highlighting their contributions in varied fields. As part of the celebration, each honoree will receive a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice, generously funded by Comerica Bank.

This year’s Women’s History Month Game Changers are:

Carolyn Cassin – President and CEO of Michigan Women Forward:

Cassin, a resilient advocate for women and girls in Michigan, has had a significant impact on economic self-sufficiency and social equality. Under her leadership, Michigan Women Forward has become a key microlender, investing over $10 million in more than 345 women entrepreneurs.

Alison Vaughn – President and CEO of Jackets for Jobs:

As a renowned international speaker and award-winning author, Vaughn has dedicated her career to women’s empowerment. As the founder of Jackets for Jobs, she has helped over 38,000 job seekers achieve their goals, earning accolades as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to work for in Detroit and the U.S. for four consecutive years.

Charity Dean – President and CEO of Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance:

Dean’s commitment to thriving Black-owned businesses is evident in her role as President and CEO of Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance. Dean’s advocacy extends beyond her organization, as she served as the director of Civil Rights, Inclusion, and Opportunity for the City of Detroit and holds positions on various nonprofit boards.

Amy Peterson – Co-founder and CEO of Rebel Nell:

Peterson’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-found Rebel Nell, a jewelry company with a purpose, employing women with barriers to employment. Beyond jewelry, Rebel Nell’s nonprofit arm, T.E.A. (Teach. Empower. Achieve.), provides resources like stable housing, financial education, business classes, and legal aid to empower women.

“In addition to recognizing Game Changers, honoring these leaders in conjunction with the NHL’s ‘Hockey is for Everyone’ initiative, represents our commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity within the sport,” said Ryan Gustafson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “Game Changers are about breaking down barriers and creating an environment where everyone feels welcome to participate, regardless of gender or background.”

As Ilitch Sports + Entertainment continues to champion Game Changers, the celebration of Women’s History Month highlights the achievements and impact of remarkable women in the community. To join the celebration and support the Red Wings on Thursday at 7 p.m. against the Arizona Coyotes, purchase tickets here.

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• Locals can now enjoy HOT-N-READY® pizzas from just £5 All Day, Every Day

Little Caesars® Pizza, the third largest pizza chain in the world, has opened the doors of its first restaurant in Greenford, located in the capital, west London.

The menu, which champions fresh quality ingredients from around Europe at an affordable price, will feature several delicious pizza varieties, including the signature HOT-N-READY® Pepperoni and Margherita for just £5. The Little Caesars HOT-N-READY® model gives customers the easy and quick option to simply stop in and take away a freshly made, piping-hot, large pizza and side items without waiting or ordering ahead.

Other delicious offerings include the Mushroom Deluxe (£8), the Three Meat Treat (£10), Peri Peri Chicken (£10), and many others. Three-piece Pepperoni Crazy Puffs (£3) and Little Caesars signature Crazy Bread® (£2) are also available. All pizzas on the menu are 12-inch large sizes that are perfect for families or individuals for a weekday or weekend treat.

“Londoners can now savor the delicious pizza offerings of Little Caesars as we proudly open our doors in the vibrant Greenford community,” says Paula Vissing, President, Global Retail for Little Caesars. “Little Caesars is synonymous with quality, convenience, and affordability, which we think British consumers will appreciate.”

Rajan Sandhu, franchisee for Little Ceasars Greenford says; “We are delighted to be working with Little Caesars to open their first site in London and the south of the UK. There is an ongoing demand from locals for quality pizza, delivered at great value prices so we are excited to bring this to the streets of Greenford.”

The global brand, which currently operates in 28 countries and territories, has ambitious plans to continue expanding throughout the U.K. and is actively seeking franchisees interested in joining the world-renowned brand. In addition to Greenford, Little Caesars will open a second store in London and a store in Liverpool later this year. To learn more about development and growth opportunities in the region, visit International.LittleCaesars.com.

Website: https://gb.littlecaesars.com/
Instagram: littlecaesarsuk
Facebook: @LittleCaesarsUK

• 2019 Seventh-Round Pick Played Four Seasons at Colgate University

The Detroit Red Wings today signed goaltender Carter Gylander to a two-year, entry-level contract beginning with the 2024-25 season. Gylander will report to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins on an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.

Gylander, 22, recently completed his senior season at Colgate University, posting a 14-14-4 record with a 2.93 goals-against average and a 0.901 save percentage in 32 appearances. The 6-foot-5, 196-pound goaltender helped the Raiders clinch a berth in the NCAA Tournament as a junior, logging a 19-15-5 record with a 2.46 goals-against average, a 0.914 save percentage and two shutouts in 39 contests. Gylander was also honored as the 2023 ECAC Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after backstopping Colgate to its first conference title since 1990. Selected by the Red Wings in the seventh round (191st overall) of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Gylander compiled a 46-46-13 record with a 2.69 goals-against average, a 0.907 save percentage and five shutouts in 106 appearances at Colgate.

Prior to his collegiate career, Gylander spent parts of three seasons with the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, where he earned a 51-9-0 record with a 2.23 goals-against average, a 0.919 save percentage and six shutouts in 64 appearances from 2017-20. The Beaumont, Alta., native was named the AJHL’s Top Goaltender in 2019-20 after posting a 34-5-0 record with a 2.07 goals-against average, a 0.924 save percentage and three shutouts in 40 games. On the international stage, Gylander made two appearances with Team Canada West at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge in Dawson Creek, B.C.

• Sixth Overall Pick in 2021 NHL Entry Draft Leads Grand Rapids Defensemen With 29 Points in 52 Games

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

Edvinsson, 21, has played in two games with the Red Wings this season, recording one assist and two penalty minutes in 14:39 average time on ice. The 6-foot-6, 212-pound blueliner has also skated in 52 games with the Griffins during the 2023-24 campaign, leading the team’s defensemen in goals (8), assists (21), points (29), penalty minutes (51), power play goals (2), game-winning goals (3), overtime goals (1) and shots (97). Edvinsson made his NHL debut with the Red Wings in 2022-23, logging two goals and 12 penalty minutes in nine appearances. He spent the majority of the 2022-23 season with Grand Rapids, tallying 27 points (5-22-27) and 52 penalty minutes in 52 games. In all, Edvinsson has registered 56 points (13-43-56) and 103 penalty minutes in 104 AHL games with the Griffins. Prior to arriving in North America, Edvinsson spent the entire 2021-22 season with Frolunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League, posting 19 points (2-17-19), a plus-13 rating and 18 penalty minutes in 44 regular-season games, in addition to two assists in five postseason contests. His 17 assists were the most of any player under 20 years of age in Sweden’s top professional league.

Selected by the Red Wings in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Edvinsson saw time in three different leagues during the 2020-21 season, notching six points (1-5-6), a plus-four rating and 10 penalty minutes in 14 games with Frolunda’s under-20 squad. He made his professional debut by skating in 14 games with Vasteras IK in the HockeyAllsvenskan, collecting five assists in Sweden’s second tier before adding one assist in 10 appearances with Frolunda’s SHL team. Edvinsson began developing in Frolunda’s system in 2018-19, accumulating 12 points (1-11-12) in 22 games with the under-20 team, 25 points (6-19-25) in 34 games with the under-18 squad and 36 points (10-26-36) in 24 games at the under-16 level. The Kungsbacka, Sweden, native won a bronze medal as an alternate captain at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, collecting two points (1-1-2) in six games. He also claimed a bronze medal with Sweden at the 2021 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, recording four points (1-3-4) and eight penalty minutes in seven contests. Edvinsson represented his country at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, picking up five assists in five games.

Detroit’s vibrancy is fueled by its resilience and commitment to fostering economic growth and employment opportunities. This Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) and the Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone (BIZ), in collaboration with Detroit at Work, will host the first Downtown Job Fair of the year at the historic Fox Theatre located at 2211 Woodward Avenue from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  

The job fair is made possible through sponsorship from The District Detroit Opportunity Center, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, and Little Caesars Enterprises. The District Detroit Opporunity Center connects Detroit’s current and future residents with various services, including jobs, workforce training and housing.

The job fair aims to connect job seekers with full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary positions available with 40 employers representing a range of industries, including security, retail, restaurant, gaming, and maintenance.

“Thanks to the significant development taking place, there are numerous employment opportunities available for Detroiters and individuals from all backgrounds,” said Eric B. Larson, CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership.

Downtown Detroit is home to over 1,200 employers and welcomes more than 40,000 employees on weekdays. The job fair seeks to connect employers with potential candidates, contributing to DDP’s mission of fostering a vibrant and inclusive Downtown community.

“Olympia Development continues to work with the Downtown Detroit Partnership and many other partners to ensure that Detroiters have access to a wide variety of employment opportunities. We are grateful to have the chance to host this job fair in the historic Fox Theatre Grand Lobby,” said Rian English-Barnhill, Vice President of Government and Community Affairs for Olympia Development of Michigan. “Our commitment to supporting the community continues daily through The District Detroit Opportunity Center, to help connect Detroiters with jobs at the Ilitch companies and throughout the city.”

The event is free and open to all individuals authorized to work in the United States, including high school students. Attendees are encouraged to bring a state ID for registration. Free 2-hour parking with validation is available at the Comerica Garage located at 50 W Montcalm at Woodward Avenue.  The Fox Theatre is also accessible via the Bus and QLine.

For more information regarding the job fair, visit DDP Job Fair.

To learn more about The District Detroit Opportunity Center, visit the Ilitch News Hub Community Section

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Asia Gholston, a highly experienced and data-driven marketing strategy professional, has been named Vice President of Marketing for the Detroit Tigers.

In her new role, Gholston will oversee all marketing functions for the Tigers, including campaign strategy, brand management, fan development, social media, and digital marketing. She will partner with the creative services and fan experience & game presentation teams to develop a multi-faceted marketing and brand strategy.

Gholston was born and raised in Detroit and graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 2012. She has worked in the professional sports industry since 2016, including the past four years (2020-24) with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, where she most recently served as the Vice President of Marketing.

Gholston also worked at the NFL for three years as the Senior Integrated Marketing Manager, and before that, served as the Social Strategy Manager for the NBA’s Orlando Magic. She also has agency experience, serving in various roles at Carat and MEC Global.

“We are thrilled to welcome Asia to the Tigers family,” said Ryan Gustafson, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “Asia is a proven marketing executive with a passion for our iconic brand and the city of Detroit. She is a tremendous addition to our team.”

With the Jaguars, Gholston had oversight of all revenue-generating marketing, in addition to NFL league-wide causes, brand, and supporting storytelling for the team’s community impact initiatives. Her social media team achieved remarkable growth, ranking among the top five in the NFL.

“I am thrilled to be returning home, back to the city that raised me,” Gholston said. “Sporting the iconic Olde English ‘D’ has always been a source of pride, no matter where I’ve lived. Joining the Detroit Tigers organization, with the chance to propel its brand into the future, is nothing short of a dream come true for me.”

Gholston’s Bachelor of Science from MSU was in media communication & technology with a specialization in media management research. She also earned the Women of Color Leadership Certificate from the Harvard Business School in 2022.

Gholston has served as a member of the Business of Diversity in Sports and Entertainment (BDSE) in partnership with the National Sports Forum and as a board advisor for the Black Sports Business Symposium and the Black Sports Business Academy. In 2024 she was appointed to the Governing Board of PRO Sports Assembly.

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In advance of the March 16 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) game at Little Caesars Arena, two representatives from PWHL Boston participated in a live virtual fireside chat, where they discussed the exciting growth of women’s hockey.

Check out a replay of the full conversation, hosted by Daniella Bruce, below.

On Saturday, PWHL Boston takes on PWHL Ottawa at 6:00 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.

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With a continued focus on culinary innovation, accessibility and speed, Little Caesars launched their inaugural POD-style restaurant in Keokuk, Iowa, on December 12, 2023.

Unique from other standalone Little Caesars restaurants, the modular buildings, known as PODs, are about 800-square-feet, comprised of modular shipping container units. Manufacturing of the units is completed off-site by Las Vegas-based modular construction company, Kitchen Podular. The completed PODS are then shipped to their respective location for a basic setup that takes less than 30 minutes to assemble.

The completion process at the POD’s final destination then focuses on the installation of the window glass, signage, and inside equipment, with the entire on-site process from start to finish taking about three months. This approach reduces construction time, and minimizes the impact on the surrounding community, aligning with Little Caesars commitment to environmentally friendly practices and community-centric projects.

“The quick service restaurant industry is evolving and more competitive than ever before. To continue to be top of mind with consumers and prospective franchisees, it’s important that we invest in new restaurant designs and technology to advance current practices and streamline operations,” said Bryan Ketelhut, Little Caesars national director of non-traditional and development services. “The new PODs are the perfect addition to the list of Little Caesars restaurant models, helping us further differentiate our concept from others in the QSR and pizza segments.”

Advancing Little Caesars ongoing goals of convenience and prompt service, the POD-style restaurant features a layout tailored for both drive-thru and walk-up formats. While the PODs feature a smaller physical and environmental footprint, they still offer Little Caesars full menu. The units only require two to three employees to operate the restaurant and can accommodate additional on-site staff at peak times, ensuring Little Caesars commitment to quality and efficiency is upheld.

This expansion continues to respond to the growing demand for Little Caesars restaurants and positions the brand as a leader in innovative dining experiences.

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• Forward Has Recorded 51 Points in 189 NHL Games Since 2016-17

The Detroit Red Wings today recalled center Austin Czarnik from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions.

Czarnik, 31, has skated in 18 games with the Red Wings this season, recording one assist, six penalty minutes and 14 shots in 8:44 average time on ice. The 5-foot-9, 167-pound forward has also collected 26 points (9-17-26) and 10 penalty minutes in 36 games with the Griffins in 2023-24. Czarnik split the 2022-23 campaign between the Red Wings and Griffins, logging five points (3-2-5) and eight penalty minutes in 29 games with Detroit, in addition to 37 points (14-23-37) and eight penalty minutes in 43 games with Grand Rapids. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Boston Bruins on March 31, 2015, Czarnik has played in parts of eight NHL seasons with the Bruins, Calgary Flames, New York Islanders, Seattle Kraken and Red Wings, totaling 51 points (18-33-51) and 34 penalty minutes in 189 games since 2016-17. He has also compiled 288 points (104-184-288), a plus-21 rating and 104 penalty minutes in 306 AHL games with the Providence Bruins, Stockton Heat, Bridgeport Islanders and Griffins. Czarnik paced all AHL rookies with 61 points (20-41-61) in 68 games during the 2015-16 season and went on to represent Providence at the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic.

A native of Washington Township, Mich., Czarnik played four seasons at Miami University from 2011-15 prior to turning professional, serving as team captain during his junior and senior years. In all, Czarnik accumulated 169 points (46-123-169), a plus-50 rating and 119 penalty minutes in 159 games with the RedHawks and was a Hobey Baker Award finalist as a sophomore in 2012-13. Before joining the RedHawks, Czarnik spent the 2010-11 season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League, posting 34 points (20-14-34) and 33 penalty minutes in 46 contests. He previously skated with the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2008-10. On the international stage, Czarnik represented Team USA at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, notching four points (2-2-4) in six games. Czarnik earned a gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World Under-18 Championship after recording six points (5-1-6), a plus-seven rating and four penalty minutes in seven games, and also won a bronze medal at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge after collecting four points (1-3-4) in five appearances.