NOTEBOOK: Red Wings and Shoes That Fit team up to support local students

DETROIT -- Summer break is almost here for Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD).

So on Tuesday morning, the Detroit Red Wings teamed up with Shoes That Fit - a national non-profit organization working to combat poverty - to promote an active and healthy summer by distributing new athletic sneakers to every student and teacher at southeast Detroit's Chrysler Elementary School as part of the Healthy Hockeytown Kids program, presented by Trinity Health.

"The Red Wings are thrilled to team up with Trinity Health and Shoes That Fit to ensure every student at Chrysler Elementary School is summer-ready with a brand-new pair of sneakers," said Kevin Brown, director of community impact for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. "Through the Healthy Hockeytown Kids initiative, we hope these new shoes help inspire a summer filled with exercise and exploration."

Following the shoe distribution in the school's gymnasium, students participated in street hockey skills stations led by Red Wings Learn, Play, Score program ambassador and 2023 Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award finalist Jason McCrimmon, as well as balance drills organized by the TrinityElite Sports Performance team.

Healthy Hockeytown Kids is a program dedicated to educating children ages 8-11 on the importance of healthy living through a video mini-series of lessons in nutrition, dairy, financial literacy and fitness.

Established in 1992, Shoes That Fit is a Claremont, Calif.-based non-profit organization that provides shoes to low-income students.

"Shoes are intrinsically important to kids," said Amy Fass, the chief executive officer and executive director of Shoes That Fit. "Too many low-income families are forced to choose rent and food over shoes, leaving children wearing shoes that hurt, embarrass them, cause them to miss out on physical activities and sometimes miss school altogether. New shoes make a basic and lasting impact.

"We are so grateful to the Detroit Red Wings and Trinity Health for meeting a basic need and making a lasting impact on the lives of these kids."

Zetterberg inducted into IIHF Hall of Fame Class of 2023

On Sunday, former Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Hall of Fame Class of 2023 in the player's category during a special ceremony in Tampere, Finland.

Selected 210th overall by the Red Wings in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Zetterberg played his entire 15-year NHL career (2002-18) with Detroit and ranks fifth all-time in franchise history in goals (337), assists (623) and points (960) as well as sixth in games played (1,082).

Zetterberg is a member of the exclusive Triple Gold Club, which recognizes players who have won a Stanley Cup, a World Championship and an Olympic gold medal.

For more information about the IIHF Hall of Fame Class of 2023,

click here

.

Griffins raised more than $400,000 for charity in 2022-23

Through community programs and charitable efforts, the Grand Rapids Griffins made quite an impact off the ice during the 2022-23 season.

On May 17, Detroit's American Hockey League affiliate announced it generated $415,112 for various schools and numerous organizations throughout western Michigan last season.

To learn more about the club's charitable endeavors in 2022-23,

click here

.