40#1Fan 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2008/03/wi...ld_an_open.html The Detroit Red Wings held an open practice before the beginning of the 2007-2008 season...And that was that. In an NHL where some teams make every practice an "open" one, and others attempt to make open practices at least a semi-regular event, the Wings shut the doors in October. The organization is at least opening the doors in the name of both charity and creating playoff buzz on Saturday, March 29th: March 25, DetroitRedWings.com: The Red Wings will hold an open practice for fans Saturday, March 29. Fans are asked to bring new or gently worn hockey equipment or provide a donation of $5 per person - all of which will be donated to local inner-city youth hockey programs. Doors will open at 11 a.m. EDT with practice scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. Prior to the start of practice, fans will have the chance to participate in fun contests and question and answer sessions with Red Wings personalities. During practice, fans will watch the players go through various drills and prepare for the team's game against the Nashville Predators on Sunday, March 30. For more information, log on to DetroitRedWings.com. The practice will also feature a "fire sale" of autographed memorabilia from current and former Red Wings players and coaches. This is a unique opportunity for fans to purchase signed items at great, low prices. Proceeds from the fire sale will benefit The Detroit Red Wings Foundation. I cannot recommend attending this event highly enough. Watching the players both participate in Mike Babcock's drills at breakneck speed, showcasing the ridiculously high skill level and tempo at which the Wings play, and seeing the players goof around and have a tremendous amount of fun while working hard is a delightful experience that seasoned fans, new fans, and would-be fans connect with their players and team. I hope to see you there on Saturday! The Wings are plugging their newly-opened official forum as well, and it's at least worth a gander. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irishtemper14+25 11 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 sweeet, i think ill show up if im not too hung over from goin to the game the night before Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JayUp88 1 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 hum might be something to do Saturday morning. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslogo19 281 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 Damnit, I hate living here sometimes.. Maybe i'll just fly there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maltbymaniac 13 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 i will be there for sure.i went to the last they have had and got autographs every time Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JayUp88 1 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 i will be there for sure.i went to the last they have had and got autographs every time oh really, when do they give out those there are still a copule of the guys i need and i'll have the whole team Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut40 176 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 That would be so cool. I'd be way to freaked out to ask them anything. Their fan blog/website is exactly like this one. Who copied who? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 Thanks for posting this. I'm going to try and bring my 4-year old to this. I think he'd have a fun time seeing a practice at full speed instead of watching his old man skate at sloth like speeds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beau 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 Thinking of taking the kids to this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
h2obury 6 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 I hope im going to be able to go my girlfriend and I have been wanting to go to one of these for awhile but they never fall on a good date. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zata40 3 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 Will we still have to pay $15 for parking in the parking garage? Or do we have to park somewhere different? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maltbymaniac 13 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 oh really, when do they give out those there are still a copule of the guys i need and i'll have the whole team last time i got 24 autographs on my daughters jersey right at the bench where they go thru the tunnel area,its good times.the first time i was picked along with four other people to go down on the bench and get a pic with a player. bring your sharpies you will need em' Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maltbymaniac 13 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 Will we still have to pay $15 for parking in the parking garage? Or do we have to park somewhere different? i think they might open the gate on the side for free parking,if not there are meter parking right in that area or park at the casino and people mover it on over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EuroTwinLove40 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 Of course, it's the one weekend I'm not coming home . I have THE worst luck ever! Errrrr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kronwall55 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 I'll be there! Hopefully my ex will let me take the kids for a few hours on his day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 This is the greatest news I could have gotten today... I'm coming from Buffalo to see games on Friday and Sunday. My wife planned the entire weekend. This couldn't have happened on a better day!!!! I will bring our jerseys, Sharpies, $5/head, what else should we bring??? WOO-HOO!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 Wait... open skate? Should we bring our skates??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maltbymaniac 13 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 they just call it open skate you cant skate with them...but the would be awesome.just get there early and hopefully they dont rope the area around the bench off like the first time,i was right at the edgeof the walk up calling off there names as they came out last time Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 Damn, I was hoping we could skate at the Joe after the event. The LGWer with an avatar of him at center ice pisses me off with envy. What time should I get there? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maltbymaniac 13 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 im always like 45 mins early cause i try to be the first one in to get as close as i can Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeyCrazy3033 168 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 Ooh i'm totally there! Thanks for posting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HenrikRules40 14 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 Damn it. I'm totally not going back to Michigan for another week. Son of a... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
h2obury 6 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 This will be the first time im going to one of these does anyone have any suggestions on where to park and the best way to get autographs? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maltbymaniac 13 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 read all the posts i pretty much stated everything Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yreland 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 Couple of friends and I went to the one and only last year...and it was cool to see the players goof off, the speed drills where they raced against eachother was a highlight. But on the flipside, the security fellas working were the biggest a-holes ever, lots of rules, one of them made the little girl (probably 5-6 years old) in front of me cry after yelling at her. No autographs at all, A chance for pic with your fav Wing players (read: Huds, Lebda, Langfeld). We had fun, but left unimpressed with the hospitality, or lack thereof. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
