Honoring Michigan K-12 teachers who’ve made a difference in the lives of their students, the Detroit Red Wings announced the winners of the Detroit Red Wings Teacher of the Month program, presented by Burns & Wilcox. One honoree was selected each month during the 2022-23 season from October–March, with over 700 nominations received during the 2022-23 season.

At the end of the program, fans had an opportunity to vote on the six honorees to determine who would become the 2023 Teacher of the Year. Each monthly honoree received two tickets to a previous Red Wings game, a personalized Teacher of the Month award, and a $1,500 classroom grant. The six honorees were invited back to Little Caesars Arena on March 30, 2023, where the Teacher of the Year was announced during a pregame gathering.

“The Teacher of the Month program presented by Burns & Wilcox is a testament to the dedication and hard work of Michigan’s educators. We are proud to recognize the contributions these teachers make to their students and our communities,” said Kevin Brown, Director of Community Impact for Ilitch Sports and Entertainment. “Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees and especially to Ms. Dana Kronk, who was selected as the 2023 Teacher of the Year.”

Kronk, a first-grade teacher at Hillcrest Elementary in Dearborn Heights, MI, was awarded the Teacher of the Year award with over 3,700 of the nearly 10,000 votes. As the Teacher of the Year, Ms. Kronk received a $5,000 school grant for educational materials, a virtual DRW player meet-and-greet, and a classroom pizza party.

Ms. Kronk was recognized for her patience and ability to keep her classroom fun by using interactive learning to help students achieve their best results. She is known for turning even the most reluctant of learners into academic all-stars and being her students’ best cheerleader, supporter, and motivator.

The other teacher of the month honorees included Anthony Anderson, a Special Education teacher at Clarkston High School; Dominic Zelnik, a Lifestyle Teacher in the autism spectrum disorder program at Lincoln Park Middle School; Sabrina Lauinger, a Kindergarten teacher at Oak Ridge Elementary School; Sharon Valascho, an Art teacher at Miller Elementary School; and Ryan Barck, an alternative education teacher at the DiAnne Pellerin Center.

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The Detroit Tigers today announced their 26-man roster for 2023 Opening Day.

The Tigers Opening Day roster consists of 13 pitchers and 13 position players. Detroit opens the 2023 season this afternoon at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays with first pitch scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on Bally Sports Detroit and also air on 97.1 The Ticket and the Tigers Radio Network.

The Tigers 26-man Opening Day roster is as follows:

PITCHERS (13): Tyler Alexander, Matthew Boyd, José Cisnero, Mason Englert, Jason Foley, Garrett Hill, Alex Lange, Matt Manning, Eduardo Rodriguez, Chasen Shreve, Spencer Turnbull, Joey Wentz, Trey Wingenter

POSITION PLAYERS (13): Javier Báez, Miguel Cabrera, Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Eric Haase, Ryan Kreidler, Nick Maton, Zach McKinstry, Austin Meadows, Jake Rogers, Jonathan Schoop, Spencer Torkelson, Matt Vierling

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• Michigan State University Product Leads Griffins With 54 Points in 64 Games

The Detroit Red Wings today assigned left wing Taro Hirose to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

Hirose, 26, made his season debut with the Red Wings on March 28 vs. Pittsburgh, recording one shot in 7:57 time on ice. The 5-foot-10, 162-pound forward has also skated in 64 games with the Griffins this season and ranks among the team leaders with 15 goals (2nd), 39 assists (1st), 54 points (1st), three power play goals (6th) and 136 shots (2nd). Hirose split the 2021-22 campaign between Detroit and Grand Rapids, notching four points (1-3-4) in 15 appearances with the Red Wings while tallying 53 points (15-38-53) in 59 games with the Griffins. In all, Hirose has logged 20 points (4-16-20) and 12 penalty minutes in 58 games with the Red Wings since making his NHL debut in 2018-19. He has also accumulated 162 points (40-122-162) and 40 penalty minutes in 187 games with the Griffins over the last four seasons. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Red Wings on March 12, 2019, Hirose posted seven points (1-6-7) in 10 contests during his first NHL stint in 2018-19.

A native of Calgary, Alberta, Hirose spent three seasons at Michigan State University prior to turning professional, compiling 116 points (33-83-116) and 39 penalty minutes in 106 games from 2016-19. As a junior in 2018-19, Hirose was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and a Hobey Baker Award finalist after tying for the NCAA’s scoring lead with 50 points (15-35-50) in 36 games. He was also an All-Big Ten Second Team selection as a sophomore after showing 42 points (12-30-42) in 36 games during the 2017-18 campaign. Before starting his collegiate career, Hirose played two seasons with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League from 2014-16, totaling 121 points (33-88-121) and 30 penalty minutes in 116 games, in addition to five points (1-4-5) in six postseason contests. He paced Salmon Arm with 71 points (15-56-71) in 58 games during the 2015-16 season and was named the team’s Rookie of the Year after collecting 50 points (18-32-50) in 58 games in 2014-15.

2021 Third-Round Pick Recorded 75 Points in 81 Games at the University of Denver

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today signed left wing Carter Mazur to a three-year entry-level contract beginning with the 2023-24 season. Mazur will report to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins on an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.

Mazur, 21, recently completed his sophomore season at the University of Denver and ranked among the team leaders with 22 goals (1st), 15 assists (9th), 37 points (2nd), eight power play goals (1st), six game-winning goals (1st), a plus-19 rating (5th), 32 penalty minutes (5th) and 131 shots (1st) in 40 games. The 6-foot, 173-pound forward was named to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s Second All-Star Team after helping the Pioneers clinch their second-consecutive Penrose Cup as the conference’s regular-season champions. Mazur was the NCHC Rookie of the Year in 2021-22 and earned unanimous NCHC All-Rookie Team Honors after recording 38 points (14-24-38), a plus-23 rating and 44 penalty minutes in 41 games during his freshman campaign. Originally selected by the Red Wings in the third round (70th overall) of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Mazur helped the Pioneers win the 2022 NCAA Division I championship as a freshman along with Detroit prospects Antti Tuomisto (35th overall/2019) and Shai Buium (36th overall/2021). In total, Mazur compiled 75 points (36-39-75), a plus-42 rating and 76 penalty minutes in 81 games with the Pioneers.

A native of Jackson, Mich., Mazur spent parts of three seasons with the Tri-City Storm in the United States Hockey League from 2018-21, serving as team captain during his final year with the organization. He accumulated 57 points (26-31-57) and 86 penalty minutes in 95 games with the Storm, in addition to two points (1-1-2) in three postseason contests. The Little Caesars Amateur Hockey product also skated with the U.S. National Team Development Program during the 2018-19 season. On the international stage, Mazur represented Team USA at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, collecting seven points (5-2-7) in five games.

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• Michigan State University Product Leads Griffins With 54 Points in 64 Games

The Detroit Red Wings today recalled left wing Taro Hirose from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions.

Hirose, 26, has skated in 64 games with the Griffins this season and ranks among the team leaders with 15 goals (2nd), 39 assists (1st), 54 points (1st), three power play goals (6th) and 136 shots (2nd). The 5-foot-10, 162-pound forward split the 2021-22 campaign between Detroit and Grand Rapids, recording four points (1-3-4) in 15 appearances with the Red Wings while tallying 53 points (15-38-53) in 59 games with the Griffins. In all, Hirose has logged 20 points (4-16-20) and 12 penalty minutes in 57 games with the Red Wings since making his NHL debut in 2018-19. He has also accumulated 162 points (40-122-162) and 40 penalty minutes in 187 games with the Griffins over the last four seasons. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Red Wings on March 12, 2019, Hirose posted seven points (1-6-7) in 10 contests during his first NHL stint in 2018-19.

A native of Calgary, Alberta, Hirose spent three seasons at Michigan State University prior to turning professional, compiling 116 points (33-83-116) and 39 penalty minutes in 106 games from 2016-19. As a junior in 2018-19, Hirose was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and a Hobey Baker Award finalist after tying for the NCAA’s scoring lead with 50 points (15-35-50) in 36 games. He was also an All-Big Ten Second Team selection as a sophomore after notching 42 points (12-30-42) in 36 games during the 2017-18 campaign. Before starting his collegiate career, Hirose played two seasons with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League from 2014-16, totaling 121 points (33-88-121) and 30 penalty minutes in 116 games, in addition to five points (1-4-5) in six postseason contests. He paced Salmon Arm with 71 points (15-56-71) in 58 games during the 2015-16 season and was named the team’s Rookie of the Year after collecting 50 points (18-32-50) in 58 games in 2014-15.

The Detroit Tigers announced that they have acquired infielder Zach McKinstry from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for righthanded pitcher Carlos Guzman.

McKinstry, 27, played in 57 games between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cubs last season, hitting .199/.273/.361 with six doubles, three triples, five home runs and 14 RBI. He also played in 48 games with Triple A Oklahoma City, slashing .335/.417/.487 with nine doubles, four triples, four home runs and 25 RBI. At the time of his trade to Chicago, McKinstry ranked second in the Pacific Coast League among players with at least 200 plate appearances with a .335 batting average.

In three Major League seasons, McKinstry is batting .208/.269/.384 with 16 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs and 43 RBI. In 444 career Minor League games, McKinstry is hitting .278/.366/.434 with 78 doubles, 21 triples, 41 home runs and 195 RBI. He was named a Texas League midseason All-Star in 2019 with Double A Tulsa, while he earned Pacific Coast League Player of the Week honors with Oklahoma City for the week ending April 10, 2022.

A native of Toledo, OH, McKinstry was selected by the Dodgers in the 33^rd round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Central Michigan University.

Guzman, 24, spent most of 2022 with Single A West Michigan, posting a 9-6 record with a 4.16 ERA (106.0IP/49ER) and 89 strikeouts. He also pitched in two games with Double A Erie and did not allow a run in 1.1 innings. In 84 career Minor League appearances, including 64 starts, Guzman posted a 22-22 record with a 3.80 ERA (317.0IP/134ER) and 298 strikeouts.

To make room on the 40-man roster for McKinstry, RHP Freddy Pacheco has been recalled from Triple A Toledo and placed on the 60-day injured list.

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• Czarnik Has Recorded 36 Points in 42 Games With Grand Rapids; Luff Has 23 Points in 25 Appearances With Griffins

The Detroit Red Wings today assigned center Austin Czarnik and right wing Matt Luff to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

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 42 games with the Griffins and ranks among the team leaders with 13 goals (3rd), 23 assists (3rd), 36 points (4th), four power play goals (T2nd), three shorthanded goals (1st) 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 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 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.

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 tallied 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 racked up 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, showing 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 appearances.

Ilitch Sports + Entertainment (IS+E) has a new executive leading the organization’s business operations, with Ryan Gustafson being promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Chris McGowan, who was IS+E’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will be leaving the organization.

“I’m confident the leadership of Ryan Gustafson and our executive team will continue providing a world class sports and entertainment experience for our fans and guests,” said Chris Ilitch, CEO, Ilitch Companies. “I thank Chris McGowan for his hard work and leadership. He is leaving IS+E in a great position and set up for continued future success.”

Previously holding the title of Senior Vice President of Business Operations Strategy with IS+E, Gustafson joined the organization in February of 2022. In that role he focused on project management, operational support, and business development strategy to drive future growth, including spearheading many of this off-season’s ballpark enhancements at Comerica Park.

“This is an incredible opportunity to lead the talented colleagues throughout IS+E including a world class senior leadership group that will continue with the mission of Amazing, Inspiring and Uniting our fans through the power of sports and entertainment,” said Gustafson.

Gustafson has a diverse background in sports, including nearly 15 years of strategic planning and revenue generation experience. Prior to joining IS+E, he served as a strategy consultant at Elevate Sports Ventures and Pegula Sports and Entertainment and was the Team President of the Seattle Dragons (XFL) where he led all business operations. Prior to that, he served as Vice President, Strategy and Development for the Seattle Sounders, where he oversaw all revenue-generating areas for the club, and as Vice President, Strategy, and Innovation for the San Diego Padres. Ryan earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Puget Sound and his MBA from Harvard Business School.

“I have made the difficult decision to step down as President/CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment,” said McGowan. “I am grateful to Chris Ilitch for giving me the opportunity to work for the Red Wings and Tigers and thank everyone for the collaboration, passion, and true dedication to this company – it is something very much appreciated. I wish the organization continued success in the future and I have full confidence that Ryan Gustafson will be an outstanding leader.”

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For the upcoming 2023 season, an expanded number of Detroit Tigers games will be available in Spanish on the radio. This option for Spanish-speaking fans to further engage with the Olde English ‘D’ comes at a perfect time, with Miguel Cabrera entering the final season of his illustrious playing career.

In collaboration with the club’s partners at Audacy, 22 Tigers games this season will air on radio in metro Detroit and throughout Michigan on 1270 AM, for free on the Audacy app, and worldwide via the audio subscription on the MLB app.

The Spanish radio schedule begins with Detroit’s opening series in Tampa Bay from March 30 to April 2 and includes the following key matchups throughout the season:

2023 Spanish Radio Schedule

March 30 – April 2, at Tampa Bay

May 2-4, vs. New York (NL)

May 26-28, vs. Chicago (AL)

July 21-23, vs. San Diego

July 28-30, at Miami

August 5, vs. Tampa Bay (¡Fiesta Tigres!)

August 25-28, vs. Houston

September 29 – October 1, vs. Cleveland

Games will be called by a knowledgeable and passionate crew. Carlos Guillen, Tigers Bilingual Media Relations Coordinator (not related to the former Tigers player), will be the play-by-play commentator for each game. Joining him in the booth at Comerica Park will be former Tiger and 1984 World Series Champion, Barbaro Garbey, and respected journalist, Mari Montes, will join the booth on road games.

“The Detroit Tigers are proud to expand our Spanish-language radio schedule to over 20 games, a feature we hope to expand even more in future seasons,” said Ron Colangelo, Senior Vice President of Communications and Broadcasting for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “The Tigers and Major League Baseball have a wide range of diverse audiences, and the Spanish broadcasts provide us and our corporate partners an ideal platform to engage fans worldwide.”

One of the key dates on the broadcast schedule is August 5, showcasing the 18^th annual ¡Fiesta Tigres! game, presented by Miller Lite. This fan-favorite day at the ballpark recognizes and celebrates the impact of Latin American players on the game of baseball, during which Garbey was honored last season.

Para la versión de esta nota en español, haga click aquí.

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