Red Wings players and alumni go all-in for a good cause

DETROIT -- Several Detroit Red Wings players and alumni went all-in for a good cause on Monday night by participating in the 13th Annual MotorCity Casino Hotel's Red Wings Charity Poker Tournament.

With event proceeds benefitting the Detroit Red Wings Foundation, the popular Texas Hold 'Em tournament pitted more than 100 registered fans against Alex Nedeljkovic, Adam Erne, Robby Fabbri, Robert Hagg, Olli Maatta, Jordan Oesterle, Mark Pysyk, Elmer Soderblom, Pius Suter, Larry Murphy and Darren McCarty at MotorCity Casino Hotel's Poker Room.
"Events like the Poker Tournament with MotorCity Casino Hotel provide the Detroit Red Wings Foundation with the resources necessary to continue our mission of growing the game of hockey for thousands of kids across the state of Michigan," said Kevin Brown, director of community impact for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. "During the pandemic, we were unable to have events like this, where current players are able to meet and greet with Red Wings fans."

The night began with a casual strolling dinner and silent auction for attendees, who greeted the Red Wings with a chorus of applause as they were introduced on stage by Red Wings TV's Carley Johnston at Sound Board Theater.
"It's fun," said Oesterle, a Dearborn Heights, Mich. native. "It's something that I like to do, especially with this being my hometown and for a team that I grew up watching. For me to pay it forward, give back and get out into the community means a lot to these fans. It also means a lot to me."
Before any cards were dealt, the current and former players mingled with fans, even taking selfies and signing autographs.

"It's great to come out and support the Detroit Red Wings Foundation," Pysyk said. "It's good to do something fun here by meeting the fans and playing poker."
Erne said that conversing with the Hockeytown faithful in a different environment than what he's accustomed to was unique.
"It's fun," Erne said. "It's a casual way for us to meet fans. They get to know us on a personal level, too."
For Nedeljkovic, who said he started playing poker with friends when he was just 15 years old, it was important to be in attendance to help promote the Detroit Red Wings Foundation, which is an affiliate of Ilitch Charities,.
"It's a great foundation that does a lot for a lot of people," Nedeljkovic said. "Helping out in any way that we can is always great. At the same time, we get to meet fans here who support us. At the end of the day, this is what it's about."

As part of Detroit's Hockeytown Cares platform, the Detroit Red Wings Foundation is committed to raising funds and resources in support of the growth of hockey across the state of Michigan.
"We know what this team means to this community," said Chris McGowan, President and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. "We try to do our part in growing the game of hockey, which funds from this tremendous event will help accomplish. It's a very important thing for our organization."
For more information about the Detroit Red Wings Foundation, click
here
.