From baseball to speakers, the transformation is incredible. Comerica Park is ready for an epic weekend of concerts featuring Chris Stapleton, Billy Joel, and Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard.

The Detroit Red Wings today released their schedule for the 2022-23 season and the team’s 97th overall in the National Hockey League. The Red Wings will open the season at home on Friday, Oct. 14 against the Montreal Canadiens. Little Caesars Arena will host 16 weekend home games (three Fridays, 11 Saturdays and two Sundays), spanning through the regular-season finale on Thursday, April 13 on the road at the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Ticket on-sale information for the preseason and regular season – in addition to Theme Nights and promotional giveaways – will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can sign up for the Single-Game Ticket Presale List today for the opportunity to purchase tickets before the general public by visiting DetroitRedWings.com/Presale.

The presale is the best way for the fans of Hockeytown to secure tickets to the most marquee matchups throughout the season, including Opening Night against the Montreal Canadiens, two home dates vs. the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, the annual Thanksgiving Eve and New Year’s Eve games, additional Original Six matchups against the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and much more.

This season’s 82-game slate features 26 games against Atlantic Division rivals, three games against the eight teams in the Eastern Conference’s Metropolitan Division (24 games) and two games against all 16 Western Conference foes (32 games).

Following the Home Opener on Friday, Oct. 14, the Red Wings will travel to New Jersey for a game against the Devils on Saturday, Oct. 15, marking the first of 14 back-to-backs on the campaign. Detroit will then play four of its next six games at Little Caesars Arena before wrapping up the month of October with a Halloween tilt in Buffalo against the Sabres (Monday, Oct. 31).  

November features a home-friendly schedule, with the Red Wings hosting eight games at Little Caesars Arena, including four of the first five games of the month. The team will then depart for a four-game road trip, making stops in Los Angeles (Saturday, Nov. 12), Anaheim (Tuesday, Nov. 15), San Jose (Thursday, Nov. 17) and Columbus (Saturday, Nov. 19). The Red Wings will then welcome the Nashville Predators for the team’s traditional night before Thanksgiving game (Wednesday, Nov. 23) to open the longest homestand of the season – spanning five games and concluding on Saturday, Dec. 3 vs. Vegas.

Detroit will play a season-high nine road games in December and only five contests at Little Caesars Arena. The home slate for the month is highlighted by three Saturday games (Dec. 3 vs. Vegas and Dec. 17 vs. Ottawa), including the team’s annual New Year’s Eve matchup on Dec. 31 against the Ottawa Senators.

The Red Wings will open the New Year with five of their first six games in January at home, which includes the second and final meeting at Little Caesars Arena against Original Six foe Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, Jan. 12. Detroit will make its lone visit to Ball Arena to play the defending Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, Jan. 16) to kick off a three-game road trip (Tuesday, Jan. 17 at Arizona and Thursday, Jan. 19 at Vegas).

The Red Wings will start February in the midst of a 10-day break – spanning back to Friday, January 27 at N.Y. Islanders – to accommodate the NHL All-Star Game. The team will return to action by hosting three-straight games against Western Canadian opponents (Feb.7 vs. Edmonton, Feb. 9 vs. Calgary, Feb. 11 vs. Vancouver) before squaring off against those same three teams to start its longest road trip of the season – a five-game, nine-day trip starting in Vancouver (Monday, Feb. 13) and concluding in Washington (Tuesday, Feb. 21).

March features 15 games and four back-to-backs – both season highs. The Red Wings will host the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday, March 8 before competing in the first of two home-and-home series in March, the first of which comes against the Boston Bruins (Saturday, March 11 at TD Garden and Sunday, March 12 at Little Caesars Arena). The Red Wings second home-and-home of the month comes against the St. Louis Blues (Tuesday, March 21 at Enterprise Center and Thursday, March 23 at Little Caesars Arena). Detroit will also host the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, March 18 for the lone meeting between the two teams at Little Caesars Arena.

The Red Wings will start the final month of the season with a pair of games in Canada (Sunday, April 2 at Toronto and Tuesday, April 4 at Montreal) before playing three-straight at home (Thursday, April 6 vs. Buffalo; Saturday, April 8 vs. Pittsburgh; Monday, April 10 vs. Dallas). Detroit will conclude the 2022-23 regular-season with two games on the road (Tuesday, April 11 at Carolina and Thursday, April 13 at Tampa Bay).  

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All members receive invitations to VIP events, flexible payment plans, a ticket exchange program and much more. You can choose from multiple membership types tailored to your schedule and fandom. Learn more about becoming a member by clicking HERE or by calling the Red Wings’ Ticket Sales & Service Office at 313-471-7575.

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Lalonde Joins Detroit After Winning Two Stanley Cups as Assistant Coach with Tampa Bay Lightning

DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman today announced that the team has named Derek Lalonde the 28th head coach in franchise history.  

“I’m very pleased to announce Derek as our new head coach,” Yzerman said. “He has proven himself as an excellent coach at every level and has spent the last four seasons in the National Hockey League as part of a very successful program in Tampa Bay. We feel he is ready to take the next step in his career as the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings.”

You can watch a replay of the July 1st press conference here:

Lalonde, 49, joins the organization after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning. During his tenure with the Lightning, Lalonde helped the team clinch four-straight postseason berths, highlighted by back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2019-20 and 2020-21. In Lalonde’s inaugural campaign behind an NHL bench in 2018-19, the Lightning earned their first Presidents’ Trophy after setting a franchise record with 128 points while tying the NHL’s single-season record of 62 wins previously set by the 1995-96 Red Wings. In all, Tampa Bay compiled a 192-77-10 regular-season record and a 46-26 postseason mark with Lalonde on its coaching staff. He was named an assistant coach by the Lightning on July 12, 2018, when Yzerman served as the team’s vice president and general manager. Lalonde was previously a coach at Tampa Bay’s development camp in 2013.

“I’m thrilled to be named head coach of the Red Wings,” said Lalonde. “I’d like to thank Chris Ilitch and the entire Ilitch family, as well as Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings management team for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead this historic franchise. I’m ready to get to work with our group. There’s a very bright future ahead in Detroit.”

Prior to his time with the Lightning, Lalonde worked for two seasons as head coach of the American Hockey League’s Iowa Wild from 2016-18, posting a 69-58-17-8 record with the Minnesota Wild’s primary affiliate. Lalonde became the first coach in franchise history to produce a winning season with a 36-31-7-2 mark during his first campaign in 2016-17, a 22-point upgrade over the previous year.  

“On behalf of the entire organization, I’d like to welcome Derek, his wife, Melissa, and their three children – Alex, Luke, and Abby – into our Red Wings family,” said Christopher Ilitch, Detroit Red Wings Governor, President and CEO. “Derek has an impressive resume, particularly the work he’s done with young players and prospects throughout his career. We’re excited to have him leading the charge behind the Red Wings bench. I’d also like to commend Steve and his staff for conducting a very thorough and detailed search process. We have the greatest fans in hockey, and they deserve a team that consistently competes for Stanley Cup championships.  We’ll continue to work diligently towards that goal under the leadership of Steve and Derek.”

A native of Brasher Falls, N.Y., Lalonde spent two seasons in the Red Wings’ organization as head coach of the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye from 2014-16. Lalonde guided Toledo to a 97-35-7-5 record in that span, resulting in two consecutive Brabham Cup titles as the ECHL’s regular-season champion. In his first season in 2014-15, Lalonde led the Walleye to a 50-15-5-2 mark and won the John Brophy Award as the ECHL’s Coach of the Year after showing a 58-point improvement from the previous campaign, which remains the largest in league history.  

Lalonde began his head coaching career with the United States Hockey League’s Green Bay Gamblers, accumulating a record of 114-56-8-6 as head coach and general manager from 2011-14. He was named the USHL’s Coach of the Year in 2011-12 after the Gamblers recorded a 47-9-2-2 mark and captured the organization’s fourth Clark Cup title. On the international stage, Lalonde coached the United States to a gold medal at the 2013 World Junior A Challenge, and also won gold as an assistant coach at the 2012 tournament.

Before making his head coaching debut, Lalonde was an assistant coach at the University of Denver from 2006-11, helping the Pioneers to a 122-63-19 record and two Western Collegiate Hockey Association titles in 2008 and 2010, in addition to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. He also served as an assistant coach at Ferris State University from 2002-06, in addition to working at the Division III level with Hamilton College from 2000-02 and Lebanon Valley College from 1998-00. Lalonde started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (formerly North Adams State College) from 1995-98, where he earned a M.A. in education administration.

A former goaltender in the Division III ranks with SUNY Cortland, Lalonde recorded a 3.93 goals-against average and 0.877 save percentage in 41 appearances for the Red Dragons from 1991-95.

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Little Caesars, the third largest pizza chain in the world and home of the famous HOT-N-READY^® pizza, and the NFL today announced a multi-year partnership that names Little Caesars as the Official Pizza Sponsor of the National Football League.  As one of Little Caesars highest-profile partnerships to date, the collaboration will continue to build on Little Caesars momentum of incredible growth over the past several years.

Eating delicious pizza and cheering on the home team combine to make the perfect weekend social activity, and Little Caesars plans to be a special part of those game-time meal occasions.  The brand, which revolutionized the pizza industry with HOT-N-READY pizzas for convenient pickup and launched the pizza industry’s lowest priced delivery at the 2020 Super Bowl, is a perfect match for the over 100 million NFL fans who regularly watch football games and want their gametime meals quickly and easily — whether they choose delivery, exclusive Pizza Portal® pickup, or carry-out.  Little Caesars is known for unique product offerings and promotions like the Pretzel Pizza, Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pizza, the Batman Calzony, and now offers 33% more pepperoni on its Classic pizza.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Little Caesars to the NFL family,” said Renie Anderson, Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President of NFL Partnerships.  “With a focus on quality and convenience, Little Caesars offers unmatched value for our fans, and we look forward to working together to positively impact communities across the United States.”

The deal comes about a month before the start of team training camps, the annual unofficial kickoff of the NFL season. The agreement will offer Little Caesars a set of exclusive marketing rights designed to connect the pizza brand with the NFL, its events, and fans. Exciting new components like social media games, new products, new packaging, and unique promotions will be revealed before the start of the 2022 season and continue throughout the course of the sponsorship.

“This partnership aims to enhance the fun of game day by bringing the quality and convenience Little Caesars is known for to NFL fans across the country,” said Dave Scrivano, president and CEO of Little Caesars, “And because we’re the value leader in the pizza industry, hungry fans can enjoy weekly gametime meals at a very affordable price during a time when food prices are on the rise.”

Both organizations have a long history of giving back to the community, and the partnership also includes a charitable giving component.  The Little Caesars Love Kitchen®, a big rig pizza kitchen on wheels, will visit key NFL event cities throughout the year.  The Little Caesars Love Kitchen has been serving the homeless and hungry since 1985 and has served nearly 4 million people in North America.  Little Caesars will partner with the NFL to bring this already highly impactful charitable giving program to key National Football League event cities and provide ongoing post-event community support, including around the 2024 NFL Draft which will take place in Detroit, where Little Caesars is headquartered.

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More than 500 metro Detroit youth recently kicked off their baseball and t-ball season this summer with the Tiny Tigers, a collaboration between the Detroit Tigers Foundation and the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL). Tiny Tigers gives local kids ages 4-8 the opportunity to engage with others while learning the sport and other life skills such as teamwork and perseverance.

Annually, hundreds of young metro Detroiters participate in PAL’s baseball program; a part of PAL’s Team UP program, where officers from the Detroit Police Department serve as coaches and mentors to the children. Since its inception in 2008, nearly 7,000 children have enrolled in the Tiny Tigers program in partnership with Detroit PAL.

Earlier this month, participants gathered for Tiny Tigers annual Opening Day at Detroit’s Corner Ballpark – the former Tigers Stadium. One young player, seven-year-old George Latham IV of Detroit, participated in his first ever baseball game and said he was excited to make friends and learn how to play the sport. In addition to gaining experience on the baseball field, Latham formed an immediate connection with his program mentors, including Corporal Marcus Norwood. Seeing Latham and other children on the field comes full circle for Norwood, as he, too, was a participant in PAL youth baseball, before becoming a Detroit police officer and the Youth Development Officer for PAL. The personal connections made through the Tiny Tigers program are deeply impactful and can last a lifetime.

See highlights from Tiny Tigers Opening Day in this video:

Detroit PAL, a non-profit organization based in Corktown, impacts more than 14,000 Detroit area children each year through its sports and recreational camps and after-school activities with the help of more than 1,700 volunteers. Founded in 1969, the organization gives children an opportunity to learn skills needed to succeed both on and off the playing field.

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“Congratulations to Moritz Seider on his well-deserved Calder Memorial Trophy as the National Hockey League’s Rookie of the Year.  Mo immediately became an impact player and set numerous Red Wings rookie records this year, and I’m proud to join our team, fans and the NHL in saluting his accomplishments.  We’re thrilled for Mo and his family, and look forward to his bright future as we all work towards our goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to Hockeytown.”
– Christopher Ilitch, Governor, President, and CEO of the Detroit Red Wings

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The Detroit Tigers are proud to host the 20th annual Negro Leagues Weekend, presented by Comerica Bank, from June 17-19, when the Texas Rangers visit Comerica Park. This annual tradition marks the longest-running weekend celebration of its kind in Major League Baseball. Tickets for all three games during Negro Leagues Weekend are currently available at tigers.com/tickets.  

Negro Leagues Weekend will be highlighted by the 26th annual Negro Leagues Tribute Game on Saturday, June 19. The Tigers will hold a pregame ceremony to raise the “Detroit Stars” flag in center field in honor of the Detroit Stars, who became charter members of the Negro National League in 1920. Several former Negro Leagues players will also be honored during the ceremony.  

The legendary Cecil Fielder will be returning to Detroit, and interact with Tigers fans on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19, when he will also be presented the Willie Horton African American Legacy Award. In the 1990 season for Detroit, Fielder became the first player to reach the 50-home run mark since 1977, and the first American League player to accomplish the feat since Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris hit 54 and 61 home runs, respectively, in 1961.

The Tigers will distribute 2,000 complimentary game tickets to local organizations as part of the Negro Leagues Weekend Celebration.

“We’re looking forward to continuing the tradition of celebrating Negro Leagues Weekend with Tigers fans, our current players and within the community,” said Chris McGowan, President and CEO, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “The tremendous impact of the Negro Leagues is deeply-rooted in the city of Detroit, and it’s a privilege to pay homage to the Detroit Stars and former Negro Leagues players who represented our city. We are honored to fly the Detroit Stars flag in center field at Comerica Park, recognizing the great Stars players and their significant contributions to baseball. And with Tigers great Cecil Fielder also returning to Detroit, it’s going to be a fantastic weekend at the ballpark.”

“Highlighting the many African American trailblazers who have impacted both the game and our community, Negro Leagues Weekend always delivers on a wonderful celebration of baseball’s past, present, and future,” said Linda Nosegbe, Comerica Bank Vice President and Southeast External Affairs Market Manager. “Each year the Detroit Tigers present many memorable moments, and this week will be no different. For 20 years now, Negro Leagues Weekend has been special to Comerica, and we appreciate the opportunity to once again partner on this weekend of great festivities.”

Fans are encouraged to arrive at Comerica Park early to enjoy the many activities that are planned throughout Negro Leagues Weekend. DJ Mo Beatz – Big Sean’s official DJ – will spin on the Pepsi Porch prior to all three games, and a “Walk of Stars,” similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, will be set up to highlight the achievements of former Detroit Stars players. Burt’s Marketplace, a black-owned restaurant located in Eastern Market, will be hosting a barbeque takeover in the Brushfire Grill all weekend.

Negro Leagues Weekend festivities will include:

Friday, June 17 (7:10 p.m. first pitch)

• The sixth annual Negro Leagues Legacy Luncheon will be hosted at Comerica Park on Friday morning, a private event to welcome former Negro Leagues players back to Detroit and to honor Cecil Fielder.
• The Tigers, in partnership with Major League Baseball, will host a “Play Ball” clinic at Historic Hamtramck Stadium on Friday afternoon. Volunteers from the Henry Ford Community College baseball team will be on-hand to introduce 100 local children to the game through a selection of skills, drills and character building activities.
• Prior to Friday’s game, the annual “Passing of the Bat” ceremony will be held on the field, celebrating African American baseball players and their contributions to baseball. The ceremony features a symbolic “torch passing” from a former Negro Leagues player to several generations of former and current African American Tigers players. The bat is then presented to a local youth player, with Detroit Edison Public School Academy standout Gregory Pace serving as this year’s recipient. Pace is committed to play baseball at the University of Michigan, and his family and Detroit Edison teammates will be in attendance.  
• The National Anthem will be performed by Rosilyn Stearnes-Brown and Joyce Stearnes Thompson, daughters of Negro Leagues great and National Baseball Hall of Fame member Norman “Turkey” Stearnes. James DuBose, the grandson of Norman “Turkey” Stearnes, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Saturday, June 18 (4:10 p.m. first pitch)

• The Detroit Stars flag will be raised in a pregame ceremony that also recognizes several former Negro Leagues players, including Bill Hill, Eugene Scruggs, Pedro Sierra, Ron Teasley and Johnny Walker. Minnie Forbes, the former owner of the Detroit Stars, will also be a part of the commemoration. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” will be performed following the flag raising.  
• The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a Negro Leagues Replica Jersey, courtesy of Comerica Bank. Gates will open at 2:30 p.m.

• Tigers fans are encouraged to attend a pregame Q&A from 2:40-3:20 p.m., in the Big Cat Court presented by Comerica Bank, featuring Forbes, Hill, Scruggs, Sierra, Teasley and Walker. The panel will be hosted by Negro Leagues historian Larry Lester.  
• The Tigers will host HBCU/Greek Night in partnership with Detroit-area alumni associations and Black Greek Letter organizations, including a ticket package with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the Detroit HBCU Network.
• Tickets remain available for fans to attend an autograph signing with Cecil Fielder on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until Noon, in The D Shop at Comerica Park. Fans can register here.
• In partnership with the Detroit HBCU Alumni Organization and Black Greek Letter Organizations, the Tigers will host an “African Americans in Sports” panel and mix and mingle event for approximately 100 local students at Comerica Park on Saturday morning.  

Sunday, June 19 (1:10 p.m. first pitch)

• Shortly after gates open at 11:30 a.m., Fielder will participate in a fan Q&A in the Big Cat Court from 12:20-12:50 p.m. Fielder will then be recognized in a pregame ceremony for earning the Willie Horton African American Legacy Award, created in 2009 to honor African Americans who have strengthened the legacy of baseball in the African American community and have contributed to the rich history of the Detroit Tigers.  
• Prior to the game, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch and bench coach George Lombard will meet on the Comerica Park field with 15 HBCU coaches, who will be in town for the Southfield Baseball Showcase.
• Local youth players will be invited to serve as “Detroit Stars of the Game” and participate in a pregame on-field ceremony.

The Tigers will honor the Detroit Stars teams of the Negro Leagues by once again wearing Detroit Stars throwback uniforms for Saturday’s Negro Leagues Tribute Game. Popular Negro Leagues merchandise will be sold on the Comerica Park concourse by Tony Dee’s Negro Leagues Baseball Store.

For more information about the history of African American players in the Detroit Tigers organization, visit tigers.com/africanamericanheritage.

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Through a longstanding career of public service through safety, Richard Fenton, Ilitch Holding Inc.’s Vice President and Chief Security Officer, has been named a 2022 Champion of Change, as awarded by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Fenton, who has been with the Ilitch Companies since 2000, has served in numerous public safety roles; with the Wayne County Sheriff Department, at Eastern Michigan’s Interdisciplinary Technology Department and School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy, to name a few.

The Champion of Change Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated an ability and commitment to bring about positive change in the sports safety and security industry. Through progressive leadership, this individual’s achievements have made a difference in organizational effectiveness and led said organization forward into the future.

“It’s been an honor to serve in a public safety environment for more than 50 years,” said Fenton. “I’m blessed to work with an amazing group of security professionals and for an organization that has always made the safety and security of our guests and colleagues our highest priority.”

While a part of the IHI family, Fenton has received a plethora of awards, honors and accolades. Ilitch Holdings, Inc. and Fenton were honored by Governor Granholm for Fenton’s ongoing work and critical contributions to securing the State of Michigan’s homeland in 2009. In 2013, NCS4 and Major League Baseball named Fenton “Professional of the Year,” recognizing him as an outstanding leader in addressing safety and security. Fenton was named, “one of the most Influential People in Security” in 2016 by Security Magazine. Most recently, The National Hockey League and The University of Southern Mississippi NCS4 program awarded Little Caesars Arena with the 2019 Facility Achievement Award, noting that, “Little Caesars Arena the and the Detroit Red Wings were the model security group.”

Fenton will receive the Champion of Change Award during the National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition, which takes place June 28-30 in Orlando.

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With the Detroit Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera being only the 33rd player in Major League history to achieve 3,000 hits; and the 7^th player to achieve 3,000 hits and 500 home runs, the first baseman and designated hitter was honored for his milestones before Sunday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Cabrera, who is the 1st Venezuelan-born player to get 3,000 hits in MLB history, was celebrated by thousands of fans, his closest family, fellow and former teammates, and more. Known as a man of few words, Cabrera let those closest to him do the talking, and they didn’t disappoint.

“From time to time, I’ve checked in with Miggy. ‘How are you feeling? Are you happy? Do you need a day off?’” said manager AJ Hinch. “And the two common themes that he told me during his chase (to 3,000 hits): number one, he wanted to do it at Comerica in front of his fans. Number two, he wanted to do it in a win.”

Noting that 1,773 of Cabrera’s hits ended in winning games, Comerica Park roared with cheers from exciting fans. “You’re a winner, Miggy,” said Hinch.

Among many gifts during the ceremony Cabrera was presented with the game ball from April 23 — the date of the game where he hit 3,000 — a plaque commemorating the milestone and a video tribute from his oldest daughter. His jersey from the April 23 game will be displayed in the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown, New York. C. Miggy was also greeted on field by Tigers Chairman and CEO Christopher Ilitch, Tigers manager AJ Hinch, Executive Vice President and General Manager Al Avila, and former teammates Alex Avila and Victor Martinez. Alex echoed a lot of fan sentiments heard in the park, “you’re one of the greatest hitters, ever.”

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