‘It really means the world to them and to us’: Red Wings, Gallagher host Special Olympics Michigan Poly Hockey Athletes for third year in a row

DETROIT -- Swapping out their skates for athletic shoes and pucks for plastic balls following last Tuesday’s practice at Little Caesars Arena’s BELFOR Training Center, the Detroit Red Wings again partnered with Gallagher for the third annual Poly Hockey Celebration and shared a spirited afternoon with more than 100 Special Olympic Michigan athletes and their guests.

“This event is really cool,” Red Wings goalie Cam Talbot told DetroitRedWings.com later that afternoon. “Anytime you can put some smiles on faces, it means a lot. You can tell how much of a good time the poly hockey athletes were having. So, to work with them on shooting and passing, even sign some autographs and take some pictures, it really means the world to them and to us as well.”

The event kicked off with the poly hockey athletes enjoying a Little Caesars Pizza party while watching the Red Wings continue preparing for their most recent multi-game road trip coming out of the NHL's Olympic break, which ended with a 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Monday afternoon.

For head coach Todd McLellan, seeing how much the VIP guests were cherishing their time in the stands of Detroit's practice facility really symbolized the importance of the day itself.

“You look up and the number of smiles that were on those faces, they really looked like they enjoyed their time here,” McLellan said. “I noticed a couple players took some time to wave, and they enjoyed that too. If we can help them with their day, and they get something out of coming and watching us work at our trade like I know they do with theirs, it’s a very valuable day. And even with the Olympics, we’re going to that next phase. I don’t think any of us – the country or countries – should forget about what’s coming next. Those Olympians put a lot of time and work into their run for medals. We need to pay attention to their feats as well.”

The poly hockey athletes and their caregivers then went to the Via concourse for a hockey skills clinic, where a contingent of Red Wings players – Talbot, netminder John Gibson, forwards Mason Appleton, James van Riemsdyk, Marco Kasper, Emmitt Finnie and defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker and Axel Sandin-Pellikka – surprised them and helped Gallagher volunteers as well as Ilitch Sports + Entertainment colleagues guide the group through various stations.

“Everyone belongs in sports,” van Riemsdyk said. “I think it’s something that brings people together – people from different places and all different backgrounds. Being able to play sports with their families and different people in the community is what makes it so great.”

Special Olympics Michigan is guided by an overarching mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Thanks to the support of volunteers, coaches, family members and staff, Special Olympics Michigan serves as a vehicle for engaging a portion of the community that is otherwise forgotten. 

In support of that powerful mission, following the clinic, the Red Wings and Gallagher donated $10,000 to Special Olympics Michigan to help poly hockey athletes continue enjoying the sport while growing the game for underrepresented athletes in metro Detroit. 

“Sports brings people and families together,” van Riemsdyk said. “It’s a very unifying thing in a lot of ways, so it’s a lot of fun. I’ve gotten the chance to play in a bunch of different cities, and the ties in different communities based around their sports teams makes it a lot of fun.”

For more information about the impact of the Detroit Red Wings Foundation, click here.