• Ville Husso Activated from Injured Reserve and Loaned to Grand Rapids for Conditioning; Patrick Kane Placed on Injured Reserve Retroactive to Jan. 14

The Detroit Red Wings today recalled defenseman Brogan Rafferty from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Additionally, the Red Wings have activated goaltender Ville Husso from injured reserve and loaned him to the Griffins for conditioning, and placed right wing Patrick Kane on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 14.

Rafferty, 28, has tallied 15 points (2-13-15) and six penalty minutes in 36 games with the Griffins during the 2023-24 season. The 6-foot, 197-pound blueliner spent the entire 2022-23 campaign with the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds and led the team’s defensemen in goals (9), assists (42), points (51), plus/minus (+28), power play goals (2) and shots (154) in 72 games, earning a place on the AHL Second All-Star Team. Rafferty also helped the Firebirds reach the Calder Cup Finals in their inaugural season, recording 11 points (2-9-11) and four penalty minutes in 26 postseason contests. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Vancouver Canucks on April 1, 2019, Rafferty picked up one assist in three appearances with the club in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Rafferty has also collected 135 points (22-113-135), a plus-46 rating and 96 penalty minutes in 230 AHL games with the Utica Comets, San Diego Gulls, Firebirds and Griffins since 2019-20. He played in the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic and was selected to the league’s Second All-Star Team and All-Rookie Team after leading all first-year players with 38 assists.

Prior to turning professional, Rafferty played three seasons at Quinnipiac University from 2016-19, recording 65 points (10-55-65) and 100 penalty minutes in 116 games. The West Dundee, Ill., native spent the 2015-16 season with the Bloomington Thunder of the United States Hockey League, logging 28 points (2-26-28) and 30 penalty minutes in 60 regular-season games, in addition to nine points (3-6-9) and four penalty minutes in 10 postseason matchups. Rafferty also totaled 56 points (8-48-56) and 105 penalty minutes in 110 North American Hockey League games with the Topeka Roadrunners and Coulee Region Chill from 2012-15.

It’s another exciting Sunday for Detroit sports as two hometown teams host two Tampa Bay teams in The District Detroit. First, the Detroit Lions take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an NFC Divisional Round playoff game at Ford Field at 3:00pm. Later, the Red Wings play the Tampa Bay Lightning at Little Caesars Arena at 7:00pm.

Fans can join the excitement in several ways – from food & beverage specials at area restaurants, access to Little Caesars Arena restaurants during the day, a free football watch party at Comerica Park and more! Details are below.

Comerica Park Watch Party

Comerica Park will host a pre-Lions game watch party that is free and open to the public.

• Doors open at 10:00am and the watch party runs until the end of the Lions game
• Event takes place in the Tiger Den and Beer Hall
• Food can be purchased at multiple stations including burgers, coney dogs, hot Italian beef, and more
• Drink specials include $5.00 16oz domestic beers and discounted themed liquor drink
• Music provided by DJ Bleau the Beer Hall

Columbia Street

Columbia Street is The District Detroit’s pedestrian-friendly walkway located between the historic Fox Theatre and Little Caesars World Headquarters, across Woodward Avenue from Comerica Park.

• JoJo’s ShakeBAR adds a fun twist to the game experience with its Touchdown Tray and Game Day Hot Chocolate, perfect for sharing before or while watching the game
• Sahara Restaurant & Grill specializes in Middle Eastern cuisine, steak, seafood, and pasta, and will serve a limited edition “Blue Roar” drink this Sunday
• Frita Batidos serves award-winning, flavorful Cuban-inspired food and drinks, including the FRITA – a burger traditionally made from spicy chorizo served with shoestring fries on top in a soft egg bun and BATIDOS – tropical milkshakes made with fresh fruit, crushed ice, and sweetened milk – with or without rum
• Detroit Vs Everybody opened on Columbia Street in December, selling limited edition football themed apparel and accessories
• Good Cakes and Bakes, nationally recognized for its high-quality, organic desserts and baked goods, will offer custom football themed desserts this Sunday
• Union Assembly offers a dynamic game-day experience with a live broadcast of the game, a DJ, and enticing game day food and drink specials
• M-Den is a must-visit for University of Michigan fans. Whether you’re looking for jerseys, hats, or other Wolverines merchandise, M-Den has a wide selection to ensure you’re game-day ready

Little Caesars Arena

On Sunday, Mike’s Pizza Bar, The Mixing Board and PointsBet Sports Bar will open at 11:30am. These restaurants are accessible from outside Little Caesars Arena for both ticketed and non-ticketed fans.

Doors for the Red Wings game will open at 5:30pm. The first 7,500 fans in attendance will receive the highly-anticipated Jake Walman bobblehead with him doing “The Griddy.”  

Parking

With travel delays expected, fans are encouraged to arrive early, and parking at Olympia Parking locations can be reserved in advance at ParkWhiz.com.

• 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 the north of Nottingham city, in Top Valley.

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.

“We are thrilled to announce the expansion of Little Caesars Pizza into Nottingham, our second location in the U.K.,” Paula Vissing, President, Global Retail for Little Caesars, expresses. “Little Caesars is synonymous with quality, convenience, and affordability, and we are eager to share our delicious offerings with the vibrant community of Nottingham. The U.K. market holds significant importance for us, and Nottingham serves as a fantastic gateway to introduce our renowned menu. With a year of growth ahead, we plan to unveil multiple new sites, including a much-anticipated presence in the lively city of London. We look forward to becoming a go-to destination for pizza lovers across the U.K.”

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 Nottingham, two stores in London and a store in Liverpool will open later this year. To learn more about development and growth opportunities in the region, visit International.LittleCaesars.com.

• Atlantic Division Matchup Will Now Begin at 7:00 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena

The National Hockey League today announced an updated start time for the Detroit Red Wings home game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, Jan. 21 at Little Caesars Arena.

The game, originally scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET, will now begin at 7:00 p.m. ET following the Detroit Lions’ NFC Divisional Round matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 3:00 p.m. ET at Ford Field. The Red Wings-Lightning game will be broadcast live on Bally Sports Detroit and air on WWJ Newsradio 950.

With travel delays expected, fans are encouraged to arrive early, and parking at Olympia Parking locations can be reserved in advance at ParkWhiz.com.

Before the Lions game, Mike’s Pizza Bar, The Mixing Board and PointsBet Sports Bar will open at 11:30 a.m. All restaurants are accessible from outside Little Caesars Arena for both ticketed and non-ticketed fans.

Doors for the Red Wings game will open at 5:30 p.m. ET. The first 7,500 fans in attendance will receive the highly anticipated Jake Walman bobblehead with him doing “The Griddy.”  

An updated Red Wings schedule is available at DetroitRedWings.com/schedule.  

• Tickets Go On Sale Friday, January 19 at 10 a.m.

One year after announcing her highly anticipated return to the road with her ninth concert tour, Together Again, today five-time Grammy®️ Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame®️ Inductee Janet Jackson reveals she will be adding 35 dates to the run, including Pine Knob Music Theatre on Tuesday, July 2 at 8 p.m. In addition, Nelly will join Jackson on tour across all dates as her special guest. Pine Knob Music Theatre is presented by Proud Partners United Wholesale Mortgage, Trinity Health and Ally.

Tickets go on-sale Friday, January 19 at 10 a.m. at 313Presents.com, LiveNation.com and Ticketmaster.com. Fans can also purchase VIP Packages, which may include premium tickets, Meet & Greet and photo op with Janet Jackson, pre-show VIP lounge, collectible VIP concert ticket & more. For more information, visit VIPnation.com.

Ms. Jackson’s Together Again 2024 Tour builds on the success of the 2023 run, the icon’s highest selling trek of her career which featured 36 sold out shows and received rave reviews from fans and press. Okayplayer said “Janet has still got it, serving as our beloved sex symbol, superstar, and Queen of Pop that no one has come close to emulating.” The Chicago Tribune confirmed, “Being a performer, a showstopper, a true delight is not just what Janet Jackson does. It is who she is.” And the Boston Globe claimed, “Jackson is a killer live act.”

The Together Again Tour will offer everyone the chance to reunite with Ms. Jackson in celebration of her 50th anniversary in entertainment and spotlight the milestones for three of Jackson’s most critically acclaimed albums – 25 years of “The Velvet Rope”, 30 years of “janet”, and 35 years of “Rhythm Nation.” featuring her biggest chart-topping hits. In addition, fans can expect the three-time Grammy®️ winner and Diamond-selling Hip-Hop sensation Nelly to deliver a powerhouse performance, showcasing his greatest hits and cherished fan favorites spanning the last two decades.

• Tickets Go On Sale Friday, January 19 at 10 a.m.

Renowned stand-up comedian and Emmy-winning actress, Ali Wong, is excited to announce her Ali Wong: Live comedy tour will appear at the Fox Theatre on Tuesday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. Produced by Live Nation, the tour will be making additional stops in North America visiting San Antonio, Chicago and more now wrapping up in Philadelphia on April 5. Comerica Bank is the exclusive presenting partner of the Fox Theatre.

Tickets go on sale Friday, January 19 at 10 a.m. at 313Presents.com, LiveNation.com and Ticketmaster.com.

Having captivated audiences worldwide with her previous tours and hit Netflix specials, including Baby Cobra, Hard Knock Wife, and the Emmy-nominated Don Wong, Ali Wong has become a household name, celebrated for her fearless and relatable brand of comedy.

Most recently, Wong starred in and executive produced the Netflix and A24 dark comedy series Beef, where she won an Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on January 15. The show also won an Emmy for outstanding limited or anthology series. Similar to the Emmy Awards, Beef won in all three categories it was nominated in at the Golden Globes – best limited series, best actor in a limited series and best actress in a limited series.

Wong explores her dating life post-divorce on her upcoming, recently-expanded comedy tour. Wong will debut never before heard material in 10 cities across the U.S. and Canada through April 2024.

• Walleye to Continue Serving as Red Wings’ ECHL Affiliate for Three Seasons

The Detroit Red Wings and ECHL’s Toledo Walleye today announced a three-year extension of their affiliation agreement. The 2023-24 season marks the 14th year of partnership between the clubs and extends the affiliation through at least the 2026-27 season. “We’re very pleased to continue our partnership between the Red Wings and the Walleye,” said Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman. “Toledo continues to be an outstanding organization both on and off the ice, and playing in front of a passionate fanbase and a commitment to a winning culture has been vital for the development of our young players. We’re looking forward to seeing the Walleye continue their pursuit of a Kelly Cup championship.”

Since affiliating with the Red Wings and American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins, the Walleye have consistently ranked among the ECHL’s most successful franchises. Toledo has played in two Kelly Cup Finals (2019, 2022), won five divisional crowns and earned three Brabham Cup titles as the ECHL’s regular-season champions (2014-15, 2016-17, 2021-22). The Walleye have qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs in nine seasons, and most recently advanced to the 2023 Western Conference Final before falling to the Idaho Steelheads in five games.

Red Wings Head Coach Derek Lalonde made his professional coaching debut with the Walleye from 2014-16, posting a 97-35-7-5 record and a 14-14 postseason mark. Additionally, Griffins Head Coach Dan Watson served as Toledo’s bench boss from 2016-23, compiling a 272-112-22-13 record and a 51-34 playoff ledger. Off the ice, the Walleye are just as respected, winning the ECHL Award of Excellence six times, awarded to the organization with the most well-rounded business plan and presence in their community. In 2022-23, Toledo sold out 29 of its 36 home games to rank second in the league in attendance.“The relationship between the Red Wings, Griffins and Walleye is one of the strongest in professional hockey,” said Walleye Executive Vice President and General Manager Neil Neukam. “This extension is a testament to their trust in our coaching and support staff as well as the passion of our great fans, who make Toledo such a great place for young players.”

Under the current affiliation, the Red Wings provide several NHL-contract players to the Walleye, as well as signing players to AHL/ECHL contracts who can play for either Grand Rapids or Toledo. Since 2009-10, 19 players and one coach from Toledo have gone on to the NHL, including 10 for the Red Wings: Jake Chelios, Jared Coreau, Martin Frk, Kaden Fulcher, Luke Glendening, Nick Jensen, Brian Lashoff, Tom McCollum, Petr Mrazek and Andrej Nestrasil.

Detroit was previously affiliated with the ECHL’s Toledo Storm from 1991-99 and 2000-07, prior to re-entering the league as the Walleye in 2009-10. The Storm won back-to-back Riley Cup championships in 1993 and 1994, in addition to six divisional crowns and two regular-season titles over their 16-season history.

Pizza enthusiasts, prepare to unleash your flavor potential and satisfy your cravings without breaking the bank! Little Caesars®, the pizza chain renowned for its quality, convenience, and value, is thrilled to announce incredible nationwide value pricing on its fan-favorite Slices-N-Stix, available with two mouthwatering topping options for the breadsticks: savory bacon or fiery jalapeños. Whether you crave the classic pepperoni pizza and cheesy breadsticks or seek a flavor adventure by topping them with bacon or jalapeño, there’s a Slices-N-Stix combination for everyone.

Slice-N-Sticks featuring bacon or jalapeno breadsticks is available nationwide for just $7.99*. And for those who cherish the timeless pairing, Little Caesars is also offering Slices-N-Stix featuring breadsticks topped with cheese and seasonings for $6.99* nationwide. So, whether you’re a bacon devotee, a jalapeño enthusiast, or a breadstick traditionalist, Little Caesars has the perfect Slices-N-Stix combination to satisfy your cravings and your wallet.

“We’re thrilled to offer this incredible deal on Slices-N-Stix and the unique topping options to satisfy everyone’s cravings,” said Greg Hamilton, chief marketing officer at Little Caesars. “We know our customers love this product and appreciate the exciting flavor variety it offers at such a great price.”

Slices-N-Stix is the ultimate pizza-and-breadsticks combo, featuring four slices of Little Caesars’ famous HOT-N-READY® pepperoni pizza perfectly complemented by eight savory cheese breadsticks. Now, with the addition of bacon and jalapeño topping options for the breadsticks, pizza lovers can customize their Slices-N-Stix experience to match their cravings.

The Slices-N-Stix deal is available for a limited time at participating Little Caesars restaurants nationwide. So, head to your nearest Little Caesars today for the perfect combination of pizza and breadsticks.  Save time by ordering online for Pizza Portal Pickup or delivery at LittleCaesars.com or by downloading the Little Caesars app.

*Available at participating locations. Prices may vary. Prices higher in AK, HI and third-party online sites. Plus tax.

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• Regular-Season Matchup Will Now Begin at 8:00 p.m. at Little Caesars

The National Hockey League today announced an updated start time for the Detroit Red Wings home game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, Jan. 27 at Little Caesars Arena.The game, originally scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET, will now begin at 8:00 p.m. ET. The regular-season matchup will be broadcast live on Bally Sports Detroit and air on 97.1 FM.An updated Red Wings schedule is available at DetroitRedWings.com/schedule.