Little Caesars AAA Hockey represents eight boys and four girls' youth hockey teams in metro Detroit. The Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League (LCAHL) encompasses 580 total teams, while the Little Caesars Farmington Hills Hockey Association (LCFHHA) includes 27 teams and the Hockey! Hockey! Learn to Play program. Little Caesars AAA Hockey celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018.
As an active participant in the growth of youth hockey in Metro Detroit, Rolston has managed Rolston Hockey Academy at since 2016. The Oak Park, Mich.-based organization specializes in skill development and training, fitness theory, leadership, time management skills and teamwork and much more. Rolston Hockey offers a Character Development program for youth hockey players in grades 4-12.
"Little Caesars is a premier hockey organization that has proven over many years they are the leader in youth hockey," said Rolston. "I am proud to have the opportunity to lead such an elite organization. Little Caesars has developed countless elite players and I intend on continuing that culture moving forward."
In 2014, the Detroit Red Wings announced their increased amateur youth hockey outreach by expanding their affiliation with the Little Caesars AAA Hockey program. The Red Wings management, coaches, player development personnel, training staff and alumni share their expertise and the club's facilities in creating programs designed to further the growth and development of the Little Caesars AAA coaches and players. The Belfor Training Center, located at the award-winning Little Caesars Arena, serves as home to Little Caesars Amateur Hockey. In addition to his internal duties, Rolston will also serve as the organization's liaison to USA Hockey, the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) and the High Performance Hockey League (HPHL).
"We are very fortunate to bring in Brian Rolston as the new Director of Little Caesars AAA hockey," said Kris Draper, Detroit Red Wings assistant to the general manager. "Brian had a very successful NHL career and when it was over; he started giving back to our great game of hockey. We know he will take on his new role with the same passion he played and coached with."
Rolston, a Michigan native who logged 1,256 NHL games over a 17-year career with the New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, New York Islanders and Minnesota Wild, was a member of the Devils' 1995 Stanley Cup Championship team. He represented Team USA three times, including winning a Silver Medal at 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. Rolston was inducted into the USA Hockey Hall of Fame with the 1996 U.S. World Championship team.
Rolston was drafted in the first round (11th overall) by the New Jersey Devils in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft after an excellent college career at Lake Superior State University where the utility forward was named the Most Outstanding Player on the Lakers' 1991-92 NCAA Championship team. He also earned All-CCHA first-team, CCHA All-Tournament and NCAA All-Tournament honors in 1993 while being named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
Rolston is no stranger to the Little Caesars AAA hockey program, having served as a coach in the organization since 2015. He mentored a U-14 team during the 2015-16 season, followed by teams in the U-16 division for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns. This past season, he coached a U-18 squad.
About Little Caesars Amateur Hockey:
The (late) Michael and Marian Ilitch, the founders of Little Caesars Pizza, began sponsorship of amateur hockey in 1968. Little Caesars AAA teams have won 19 National Championships and 81 State of Michigan Titles while placing nearly 90 players in the National Hockey League, National Women's Hockey League or Canadian Women's Hockey League, along with hundreds in the NCAA, OHL and top junior leagues throughout North America. The Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League was created in 1978 to increase the level of competitive play and provide more opportunities for metro Detroit youth hockey players. Today, the league consists of nearly 600 travel, house and girls' teams with more than 10,000 youth hockey players. For more information, visit
www.LittleCaesarsHockey.com
.
