Red Wings Trim Roster to 23

October 9, 2022

The Detroit Red Wings today assigned forwards Kyle Criscuolo, Taro Hirose and Givani Smith, and goaltender Jussi Olkinuora to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Detroit has also placed forward Robby Fabbri on injured reserve and designated defensemen Seth Barton, Mark Pysyk and Jake Walman as injured non-roster. Additionally, the Red Wings released defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka from his amateur tryout.

The roster moves bring the Red Wings to a 23-man roster, consisting of 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders. The Red Wings will begin the 97th season in franchise history on Friday, Oct. 14 at 7:00 p.m. when they host the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena.

A.J. Hinch to Serve as “2022 Korea Series” Manager

October 9, 2022

Major League Baseball announced today that Detroit Tigers Manager, A.J. Hinch will serve as the manager for the “2022 Korea Series,” in South Korea, part of MLB’s ongoing World Tour. The team will feature Major Leaguers and players of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) from November 9-16. The event, which will mark the first time that Major League players have traveled to the country to play games since 1922, will be hosted in Busan at the Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium on November 11-12 and at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome on November 14-15.

“I’m very excited to lead this group of Major Leaguers in the upcoming Korea Series,” said Tigers Manager, A.J. Hinch. “South Korea has a rich baseball tradition, and I’m looking forward to seeing our players matchup against some of the top talent from the KBO. I’m also honored to play a part in Major League Baseball’s continued focus on expanding our game’s international footprint, and know that our work in South Korea this fall will help spread the message that baseball is for everyone.”

Red Wings Trim Roster By 15

October 8, 2022

The Detroit Red Wings today assigned forwards Pontus Andreasson, Jonatan Berggren, Austin Czarnik, Cross Hanas, Matt Luff and Chase Pearson, defensemen Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johansson, Steven Kampfer, Jared McIsaac, Wyatt Newpower, Donovan Sebrango and Eemil Viro, and goaltender Victor Brattstrom to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Additionally, Detroit has released forward Dominik Shine from his professional tryout, returning him to Grand Rapids.

The Red Wings currently have 32 players on their preseason roster: 18 forwards, 11 defensemen and three goaltenders. Detroit opens its regular-season slate on Friday, Oct. 14 against the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena.

Red Wings assign goaltender Sebastian Cossa to Griffins

October 7, 2022

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

The Red Wings currently have 47 players on their preseason roster: 25 forwards, 18 defensemen and four goaltenders. Detroit will finish its eight-game preseason schedule on the road tonight at 7 p.m. against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Detroit Red Wings Reduce Roster By Nine

October 6, 2022

The Detroit Red Wings today released forwards Trenton Bliss, Joel L’Esperance, Cedric Lacroix, Tyler Spezia, Kirill Tyutyayev, and Drew Worrad, defenseman Brian Lashoff and goaltender John Lethemon from their tryout contracts. All eight players will report to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Additionally, the Red Wings assigned defenseman Tnias Mathurin to the Ontario Hockey League’s North Bay Battalion.

The Red Wings currently have 48 players on their preseason roster: 25 forwards, 18 defensemen and five goaltenders. Detroit will finish its eight-game preseason schedule with a home-and-home series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Red Wings will host the Maple Leafs tonight (Friday, Oct. 7) at Little Caesars Arena at 7:30 p.m. (Bally Sports Detroit) before traveling to Toronto tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 8) for a rematch against the Maple Leafs at 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Arena.

Red Wings Announce Updated Start Times

October 2, 2022

The Detroit Red Wings today announced updated start times for 20 weekday home games during the 2022-23 regular season that will now feature fan-friendly 7:00 p.m. puck drops. The Red Wings worked in conjunction with the National Hockey League and visiting teams to make the schedule adjustments. An updated schedule is below with game time changes in bold. Detroit’s Home Opener against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday, Oct. 14 will now start at 7 p.m.  

“Based on feedback from fans, season ticket members, hockey operations staff, and club partners, we’re confident the 7:00 p.m. start for weekday games will be a welcomed change,” said Chris McGowan, President and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “The 7:00 p.m. first puck drop aligns with the start times of the majority of NHL clubs (27 of 32). Once the national television schedule was announced, we worked through the approval process with the NHL and Bally Sports Detroit to move these games to 7:00 p.m. We’re looking forward to feeling the energy our tremendous Red Wings fans will bring on Opening Night and throughout the upcoming season at Little Caesars Arena.”

Single-game tickets for the 2022-23 Red Wings season are on-sale now at DetroitRedWings.com/tickets. Fans can also learn more about special ticket offers, promotions and giveaways and premium seating experiences.

Spencer Ambrosius Named Ilitch Sports + Entertainment Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales & Service

September 29, 2022

Chris McGowan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment (IS+E), announced today that Spencer Ambrosius has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales & Service. Ambrosius will lead all ticket and premium sales and retention efforts, in addition to private event sales and service across Ilitch Sports + Entertainment companies and properties, including the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers.

Ambrosius, who grew up in Traverse City, Mich., and previously held the title of Vice President of Ticket Sales & Service with the Detroit Red Wings, begins his new post immediately and reports directly to McGowan.

“Spencer has done a tremendous job leading the ticket sales and service team for the Red Wings over the past three seasons, and we’re pleased to expand his role to oversee all ticketing and private events functions across our sports and entertainment properties,” said McGowan. “He is respected across our industry, and as a native Michigander he has a great passion for our amazing fan base.”

In leading the Red Wings’ ticket sales and service teams the past three seasons, Ambrosius and his staff have accomplished several key benchmarks and implemented programs that engaged fans in highly impactful ways. Those include launching a management training program, and leading the rebrand of the Red Wings season ticket holder base as the “Winged Wheel Nation”.

His standout leadership has manifested in results as the fan base’s excitement has grown, as evidenced by the Red Wings’ ticketing team surpassing its revenue goal for the 2021-22 season and renewing a significant number of the club’s full and half-season ticket memberships for the upcoming campaign.  

Ambrosius has more than 10 years of ticket sales and service experience in professional sports. Prior to joining IS+E, he served as General Manager at Legends, where he managed the agency’s work with the Los Angeles Chargers. He was also the Director of Ticket Sales and Service for Los Angeles FC (LAFC)/Legends, Manager of Inside Sales and Organizational Recruiting for the Cleveland Cavaliers and began his full-time career in various ticket sales and service roles with the Atlanta Hawks.

“I’m incredibly humbled and grateful for this opportunity to lead the ticketing side of our business as we continue to amaze, inspire and unite our fans and guests,” Ambrosius said. “It’s an exciting time for our organization and Red Wings and Tigers fans, and I’m looking forward to being a part of it for years to come.”

Ambrosius earned his Bachelor of Arts in marketing from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI, where he was a four-year letterwinner and quarterback on the football team. Ambrosius and his wife, Melissa, reside in Metro Detroit with their two young children, son, Max and daughter, Madison.

Downtown Detroit Partnership Establishes Non-Profit Subsidiary to Administer Funding for the Development of Academic Research Building at the Detroit Center for Innovation

September 29, 2022

  • Non-profit, the Detroit Partnership for Innovation, to accept land and funding for the project, initiate the start of construction, set to break ground in 2023
  • Academic Research Building to be transferred to and operated by the University of Michigan upon completion
  • DPI to receive initial $100 million donation from foundation of Stephen Ross, contribution of land from Ilitch organization and $100 million investment by the state of Michigan

Downtown Detroit Partnership, Inc. (DDP), Related Companies and Olympia Development of Michigan today announced that DDP will serve in a fiduciary role for the Detroit Center for Innovation (DCI) by establishing a new non-profit organization, the Detroit Partnership for Innovation (DPI). The DPI will support the DCI by facilitating the funding and construction of the Academic Research Building. The DPI Board will be responsible for supporting the operations of the DCI. The Academic Research Building (ARB), which will form the cornerstone of the Detroit Center of Innovation, will be transferred upon completion from the non-profit to the University of Michigan to run its academic programming.

The Detroit Partnership for Innovation will receive an initial $100 million donation from the foundation of Stephen Ross, the donation of land from the Ilitch organization, the $100 million investment by the State of Michigan, as well as other donations in support of the construction of the ARB. In 2023, DPI will initiate the start of construction of the building.

The three-building DCI campus will be built in The District Detroit and is being anchored by this $250 million, 200,000 square foot world-class research and education center operated by the University of Michigan. Programs will focus on research and innovation, with the goal of supporting the economic development of Detroit and providing the state with a pipeline of talent. The DCI will also include a technology incubator, housing and green space, while providing a critical skills and educational pathway for students from Detroit Public Schools Community District and beyond. Additionally, Wayne State University and the University of Michigan are expected to explore programmatic partnerships through the DCI.

For 100 years, DDP has cultivated economic and social impact in Downtown Detroit and beyond by connecting private, public, philanthropic and civic sectors, providing stewardship of public spaces, executing innovative strategies and developing programs that engage and benefit all Detroiters. DDP has served as the parent organization of numerous affiliates that have contributed to building a more connected and vibrant Detroit, including MoGo Bike Share, Build Institute, the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, the Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone, the Detroit Experience Factory, Live Detroit, Spirit Plaza, M-1 RAIL and the 2006 NFL Super Bowl and more. These programs connect Downtown to the greater area through investment, mobility, education and community outreach.

“Detroit’s public, private and philanthropic leadership have recognized that, in most cases, we don’t need to recreate the depth and breadth of infrastructure that DDP represents. Instead, organizations can use DDP’s existing backbone, expertise and governance. One of the significant benefits DDP brings to opportunities such as the DCI is its ability to quickly and efficiently support investments, ideas and actions that address real needs that have resonating impacts throughout our community,” said Eric B. Larson, CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership.

“The DDP has long been a trusted fiduciary committed to ensuring that investments in Downtown Detroit work hard for Detroiters and nowhere is that more critically important than the realization of DCI,” said Stephen M. Ross, Chairman and Founder of Related Companies.

Christopher Ilitch praised the agreement and thanked the DDP for its dedication to Detroit.  

“Thanks to our long, cooperative relationship, I know the Downtown Detroit Partnership is the right partner to manage the financial aspects of this philanthropic endeavor that will have a positive, transformational impact on Detroit and the region,” said Christopher Ilitch, President and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. “I’d like to thank the DDP team for their continued support of our hometown and for taking on this important responsibility.”

Mayor Duggan also expressed support for the creation of the DPI.

“The establishment of this new non-profit is an important part of what will take the vision of the Detroit Center for Innovation and its campus and make it a reality,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “The DDP is the right organization to take on this central role and we appreciate Eric Larson’s partnership with Stephen Ross and Chris Ilitch to move this transformational project forward.”

Behind The Scenes: Detroit Red Wings Media Day

September 28, 2022

Media day is a production from start to finish and involves some of the best in the business to create content that will be seen by Detroit Red Wings fans all season long. From high-tech cameras, robots, green screens, to fog machines—this team makes THE team look their best.

Brian Woodworth, Content Manager for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, assists with a shot in front of the green screen
Members of the Detroit Red Wings social media team, Andrew Kristoff, Staci Remejes, Michelle Sutherby, and Christopher Popp, pose for a photo
Pete Skorich, Vice President of Entertainment Services & Broadcasting for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, chats with Detroit Red Wing Jakub Vrana between takes