• Czarnik Has Recorded 37 Points in 43 Games With Griffins; Edvinsson Was Picked Sixth Overall in 2021 NHL Entry Draft and Leads Grand Rapids Defensemen With 27 Points in 51 Games

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

Czarnik, 30, has skated in 15 games with the Red Wings this season, recording three points (2-1-3), a plus-one rating, four penalty minutes, 14 shots and 13 hits in 10:50 average time on ice. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound forward has also played in 43 games with the Griffins and ranks among the team leaders with 14 goals (T2nd), 23 assists (3rd), 37 points (4th), four power play goals (T3rd), three shorthanded goals (1st) and 86 shots (5th). He was named the Howies Hockey Tape/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Oct. 16 after tallying five points (3-2-5) in his first two games with Grand Rapids. Czarnik signed with the Red Wings as a free agent on July 13, 2022 after splitting the 2021-22 campaign between the New York Islanders and Seattle Kraken, collecting five points (2-3-5) in 11 games with the Islanders along with two assists in six appearances for the Kraken. He also suited up in 38 games with the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders last season and posted 37 points (14-23-37) and eight penalty minutes, in addition to 10 points (3-7-10) in six postseason contests. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Boston Bruins on April 1, 2015, Czarnik has played in parts of seven NHL seasons with the Bruins, Calgary Flames, Islanders, Kraken and Red Wings, totaling 48 points (17-31-48) and 24 penalty minutes in 157 games since 2016-17. He has also compiled 262 points (95-167-262), a plus-23 rating and 94 penalty minutes in 270 AHL games with the Providence Bruins, Stockton Heat, 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. Czarnik accumulated 169 points (46-123-169), a plus-50 rating and 119 penalty minutes in 159 games and was a Hobey Baker Award finalist as a sophomore in 2012-13. Before joining the RedHawks, Czarnik spent the 2010-11 campaign with the United States Hockey League’s Green Bay Gamblers, adding 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 the United States 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) and a plus-seven rating in seven games, and also won a bronze medal at the 2009 World Under-17 Challenge after logging four points (1-3-4) in five appearances.

Edvinsson, 20, has spent the entire 2022-23 season with the Griffins and leads the team’s defensemen with 27 points (5-22-27) and 50 penalty minutes in 51 games. The 6-foot-6, 209-pound blueliner has tallied four multi-point games this season, setting career highs in assists (3), points (4) and plus/minus (+5) on Feb. 15 vs. Rockford. Edvinsson arrived in North America after skating with Frolunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League during the 2021-22 campaign, logging 19 points (2-17-19), a plus-13 rating and 18 penalty minutes in 19:42 average time on ice in 44 regular-season games, in addition to two assists in five postseason contests. His 17 assists were the most in league history by a defenseman 19 years of age or younger, while his 19 points were the fourth-most ever recorded by a defenseman 19 years of age or younger – trailing only Victor Hedman (21 points, 2008-09), Rasmus Dahlin (20 points, 2017-18) and Tomas Jonsson (20 points, 1978-79).

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 then 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 helped his country win 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 tallied three points (1-2-3) in two appearances when the tournament was originally scheduled before it was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. Edvinsson won a bronze medal with Sweden at the 2021 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, registering four points (1-3-4) in seven contests. He also represented his country at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, dishing out five assists in five games.

• Forward Has Recorded 23 Points in 25 Games With Griffins

The Detroit Red Wings today recalled right wing Matt Luff from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions.

Luff, 25, has appeared in seven games with the Red Wings this season, recording his first goal and point on Nov. 6 against the New York Rangers. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound forward has also notched 23 points (7-16-23) and six penalty minutes in 25 games with the Griffins. Luff was signed as a free agent by the Red Wings on July 13, 2022 after splitting the 2021-22 season between the Nashville Predators and AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, logging six points (3-3-6) and four penalty minutes in 23 games with the Predators while totaling 31 points (14-17-31) and 16 penalty minutes in 30 appearances for the Admirals. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Kings on Sept. 22, 2016, Luff has registered 24 points (14-10-24) and 20 penalty minutes in 94 games with the Kings, Predators and Red Wings since 2018-19. He has also compiled 143 points (56-87-143), a plus-10 rating and 116 penalty minutes in 194 AHL games with the Ontario Reign, Admirals and Griffins since making his professional debut in 2016-17.

A native of Oakville, Ont., Luff played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Belleville Bulls and Hamilton Bulldogs from 2014-17 prior to turning professional, tallying 137 points (61-76-137) and 96 penalty minutes in 170 games, in addition to 11 points (5-6-11) in 11 postseason contests. Before starting his major junior career, Luff collected six points (3-3-6) in 10 games with the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Luff also recorded 103 points (58-45-103) in 72 games with the Oakville Rangers Midget AAA squad from 2012-14. He won an OHL Cup championship with the Rangers’ under-16 squad in 2013, chipping in three points (2-1-3) in seven contests.

The Detroit Tigers announced that the club has agreed to terms with 28 players on contracts for the 2023 season.

The list of signed players includes: pitchers Beau Brieske, Mason Englert, Jason Foley, Garrett Hill, Tyler Holton, Matt Manning, Casey Mize, Reese Olson, Tarik Skubal, Edwin Uceta, Will Vest, Joey Wentz and Brendan White and position players Akil Baddoo, Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Eric Haase, Ryan Kreidler, Andre Lipcius, Nick Maton, Parker Meadows, Tyler Nevin, Wenceel Perez, Jake Rogers, Donny Sands, Zack Short, Spencer Torkelson and Matt Vierling.

In addition, the club has renewed the contracts of pitchers Alex Faedo and Alex Lange.

• Washington Township Native Has Three Points in 12 Games With Detroit

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

Czarnik, 30, has skated in 12 games with the Red Wings this season, recording three points (2-1-3), a plus-one rating, two penalty minutes, 13 shots and 12 hits in 11:27 average time on ice. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound forward has also played in 42 games with the Griffins and ranks among the team leaders with 13 goals (T2nd), 23 assists (3rd), 36 points (3rd), four power play goals (T2nd), one shorthanded goal (T2nd) and 84 shots (T5th). He was named the Howies Hockey Tape/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Oct. 16 after tallying five points (3-2-5) in his first two games with Grand Rapids. Czarnik signed with the Red Wings as a free agent on July 13, 2022 after splitting the 2021-22 campaign between the New York Islanders and Seattle Kraken, collecting five points (2-3-5) in 11 games with the Islanders along with two assists in six appearances for the Kraken. He also suited up in 38 games with the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders last season and posted 37 points (14-23-37) and eight penalty minutes, in addition to 10 points (3-7-10) in six postseason contests. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Boston Bruins on March 31, 2015, Czarnik has played in parts of seven NHL seasons with the Bruins, Calgary Flames, Islanders, Kraken and Red Wings, totaling 48 points (17-31-48) and 22 penalty minutes in 154 games since 2016-17. He has also compiled 261 points (94-167-261), a plus-23 rating and 94 penalty minutes in 269 AHL games with the Providence Bruins, Stockton Heat, 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. Czarnik accumulated 169 points (46-123-169), a plus-50 rating and 119 penalty minutes in 159 games and was a Hobey Baker Award finalist as a sophomore in 2012-13. Before joining the RedHawks, Czarnik spent the 2010-11 campaign with the United States Hockey League’s Green Bay Gamblers, adding 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 the United States 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) and a plus-seven rating in seven games, and also won a bronze medal at the 2009 World Under-17 Challenge after logging four points (1-3-4) in five appearances.

• 2022 U.S. Olympian and University of Michigan Product Recorded 22 Points in 44 Games With Grand Rapids

The Detroit Red Wings today traded defenseman Steven Kampfer to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for future considerations.

Kampfer, 34, skated in 44 games with the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins this season, recording 22 points (4-18-22) and 26 penalty minutes. The 5-foot-11, 198-pound defenseman signed a one-year contract with the Red Wings on May 22, 2022 after tallying 30 points (11-19-30) and 49 penalty minutes in 46 games with Ak Bars Kazan in the Kontinental Hockey League during the 2021-22 campaign, in addition to four points (2-2-4) in six postseason contests. Kampfer has played in 231 NHL games with the Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers since 2010-11, logging 39 points (15-24-39) and 110 penalty minutes. Originally selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round (93rd overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Kampfer was a Black Ace on Boston’s Stanley Cup-winning team in 2011 as a first-year professional. He has also appeared in 318 AHL games between the Providence Bruins, Houston Aeros, Iowa Wild, San Antonio Rampage, Hartford Wolf Pack, Providence Bruins and Griffins, compiling 141 points (35-106-141) and 237 penalty minutes. A native of Ann Arbor, Mich., Kampfer spent four seasons at the University of Michigan prior to turning professional, amassing 60 points (7-53-60), a plus-65 rating and 134 penalty minutes in 147 games from 2006-10. Kampfer was named to the NCAA Midwest All-Regional Team as a senior and helped the program win Central Collegiate Hockey Association tournament championships in 2008 and 2010. A product of the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club, Kampfer joined the Wolverines after playing two seasons with the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League, where he collected 35 points (12-23-35) and 190 penalty minutes in 103 contests from 2004-06. On the international stage, Kampfer served as an alternate captain for Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics, adding four points (1-3-4), a plus-four rating and two penalty minutes in four games. He was also an alternate captain for his country at the 2005 Under-18 Junior World Cup, netting one goal in five appearances.

• Goaltender Has Appeared in 97 NHL Games Since 2016-17

The Detroit Red Wings today assigned goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

Nedeljkovic, 27, has appeared in nine games with the Red Wings this season, holding a 2-4-2 record with a 4.09 goals-against average and a 0.880 save percentage. The 6-foot, 208-pound goaltender has also played in 19 games with the Griffins, posting a 9-7-2 record with a 2.89 goals-against average, a 0.909 save percentage and one shutout. Nedeljkovic was acquired by the Red Wings in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 22, 2021 and led all NHL rookie netminders in games played (59), shots against (1,796), saves (1,618), time on ice (3,230:48), shutouts (4) and assists (2) during the 2021-22 campaign. He finished third in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy and made the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2020-21 after showing a 15-5-3 record with a 1.90 goals-against average, a 0.932 save percentage and three shutouts in 23 appearances with the Hurricanes, in addition to logging a 4-5 record with a 2.17 goals-against average, a 0.930 save percentage and one shutout in nine postseason contests. Originally selected by Carolina in the second round (37th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Nedeljkovic has compiled a 39-35-15 record with a 2.98 goals-against average, a 0.906 save percentage and seven shutouts in 97 appearances over parts of six NHL seasons with the Hurricanes and Red Wings since 2016-17. Nedeljkovic also earned a Calder Cup championship with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers in 2019 after leading the AHL in wins (34) for the second-consecutive year and goals-against average (2.26) en route to claiming the Baz Bastien Memorial Award as the league’s top goaltender and a spot on the AHL First All-Star Team. He became the 13th goaltender in AHL history to score a goal when he accomplished the feat with the Checkers on March 10, 2018, and the 12th netminder in ECHL history to score a goal when he did so with the Florida Everblades on Dec. 30, 2016.

A native of Parma, Ohio, Nedeljkovic has several ties to the state of Michigan, notably as a teammate of Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin on the 2011-12 Belle Tire U16 team. Prior to turning professional, Nedeljkovic posted an 89-77-20 record with a 2.88 goals-against average, a 0.918 save percentage and 10 shutouts in 191 Ontario Hockey League games between the Plymouth Whalers, Flint Firebirds and Niagara IceDogs from 2012-16. He was named the OHL’s Goaltender of the Year in 2013-14 and earned back-to-back selections on the OHL Third All-Star Team the following two seasons. On the international stage, Nedeljkovic won a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship after tallying a 4-2 record with a 1.66 goals-against average and a 0.943 save percentage. He also helped his country earn a gold medal at the 2014 IIHF World Under-18 Championship after leading the tournament with a 1.84 goals-against average.

Little Caesars employee Jonathan Gehrls lives the company’s values, including serving others, never giving up and making an impact at work and in the community.

Employed with Little Caesars since 2018, Gehrls works in the mailroom as part of the administrative services department.  He is also a multi-sport athlete who plays soccer, softball, golf and runs track and field – all in the Special Olympics.

Gehrls, who has Down Syndrome, has been competing and winning numerous medals in the Special Olympics since he was 8 years old.  

More recently, Gehrls has served as a global messenger for the Special Olympics as he gave a speech at Huntington Place for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. There, Gehrls spoke about his own journey at Little Caesars, stating that “I love this job, it’s my favorite. It inspires me in my heart. I like serving others, being responsible and never giving up.”

Scott Haveman, vice president of compliance at Little Caesars, says that Gehrls is known for his smile, bubbly spirit and always interacting with fellow colleagues around the office. “Simply put, Jonathan is a complete joy to be around, and I’m happy he’s a part of the Little Caesars family,” said Haveman.

“Jonathan is a leader in more ways than I can express. It is impossible to listen to his story without radiating pride,” said Rozz Kearney, athlete community engagement coordinator, Special Olympics Michigan – Southeast. “I am thankful for the opportunity to walk beside him, to empower him to share his story and his voice.”

In addition to his work at Little Caesars, Gehrls is also a counselor with Southfield Parks and Recreation.

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Tyler Hardy, Director of Development for Olympia Development of Michigan, realized early in her career that she had the skillset and passion to positively impact cities through large-scale urban planning and development. Hardy started out working in graphic design and marketing for major travel destinations, and through that work naturally gravitated to the development side of the business.

“When I graduated from undergrad, I was a lead designer for clients like SeaWorld, Wet ‘n Wild, and Busch Gardens. It was through that work that I began to understand that even simple things such as the colors we use can influence how people navigate a destination. I became fascinated by design on a psychological level,” said Hardy, who says her early professional experiences inspired her to pursue a Masters in Urban Planning. “I would think about what design would look like on a larger scale and how we could intervene consciously in the design of cities to make them a better place.”

Hardy spent five years working at the City of Detroit in the planning, and housing and revitalization departments before moving to Olympia Development in 2022.

“We are so lucky to have Tyler as part of the Olympia Development team. She brings experience, passion and willingness to continuously learn. Tyler also tirelessly works to improve the community,” said Stefan Stration, Vice President of Development at Olympia Development of Michigan.

Working in The District Detroit has strengthened Hardy’s commitment to the local community. One way this comes to life is through her work with Project Destined – a hands-on real estate internship program — on behalf of Olympia Development to mentor Detroit students.

“Project Destined is an incredible program that’s fostering the next generation of talent, and it is a privilege to engage with the students,” said Hardy. “It’s priceless to see the faces light up as I answer questions and speak about my journey. Sometimes all we need is to see a representation of ourselves in the places and spaces we hope to someday occupy.”

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• Leading American pizza chain seeks qualified investors to bring Little Caesars to additional markets throughout Spain

Little Caesars^® Pizza, the world’s third largest pizza chain, is continuing its growth throughout Spain with a flagship store next to Madrid’s iconic Plaza Mayor. Located at C. Mayor, 36, the two-story restaurant features an outdoor terrace and a dining area on the second floor. This flagship location is the ninth Little Caesars Pizza restaurant to open in Spain and demonstrates the brand’s commitment to expanding across the country.

“Our newest location in Plaza Mayor represents a major growth milestone for Little Caesars Pizza in Spain,” said Carlos Vidal, vice president of international development at Little Caesars Pizza. “Spain is an important market for us, especially as we grow our brand throughout Europe, having just opened our first stores in Portugal and the United Kingdom. We look forward to bringing our distinguished value, quality and convenience to even more consumers in Spain and Europe.”

Little Caesars Pizza’s steadfast commitment to innovation and value help drive consumer interest in Spain and in other markets around the world. The chain’s signature HOT-N-READY® concept—which 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—revolutionized the global pizza industry when it was introduced nearly 20 years ago.

Not only are the products made with fresh, natural ingredients, but they are sold at an all-day value every day, providing an excellent meal option for families and individuals. For example, in its Madrid and Barcelona restaurants, Little Caesars Pizza currently offers its popular HOT-N-READY® Pepperoni and Margherita pizzas for just 6,90 € and 6 €, respectively.

With six restaurants in Madrid and three in Barcelona, Little Caesars Pizza is seeking experienced area developers to bring the well-known pizza brand with a 64-year legacy to additional Spanish markets, including Andalucía in the south and Valencia in the east, among others. Preferred candidates have a minimum of $1.5 million in liquid assets and $2,500,000 in net worth and possess the drive and expertise to build 20 or more stores over a five-year span.

“The QSR pizza industry in Spain is currently valued at $1.2 billion and is expected to grow 4.3% over the next five years¹,” said Vidal. “We see a tremendous growth opportunity for our brand throughout the country, especially with Spaniards’ increasing demand for pizza. We’re looking for qualified entrepreneurs to introduce our fresh, great-tasting pizza and strong value and convenience to new markets in Spain.”

To learn more about Little Caesars Pizza development opportunities throughout Spain, visit International.LittleCaesars.com. For information on the menu and store locations, visit es.littlecaesars.com/es-es/.