Oesterle and Rasmussen teach Detroit youth at Summer Street Hockey event

DETROIT -- When Jordan Oesterle was growing up in Dearborn Heights, Mich., he remembers falling in love with hockey at a young age.

Now, he's a Detroit Red Wings defenseman who is giving back to his community, trying to help the next generation gain access to the sport and grow to love it as much as he did.
Oesterle and Red Wings forward Michael Rasmussen stopped by the Farwell Recreation Center on Monday afternoon to help Red Wings Learn, Play, Score ambassador Jason McCrimmon with the second annual Street Hockey in the D: Summer Series, powered by Chevrolet.
"It's important that we continue to grow the game within the city of Detroit," said Kevin Brown, director of community impact for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. "And by giving kids the opportunity to experience something different, maybe a sport they perhaps didn't consider as an opportunity, by doing it in a unique way through street hockey."

As part of the Red Wings' groundbreaking Learn, Play, Score platform, the seven-week clinic series is providing more than 300 metro Detroit youth aged 6-14 with an opportunity to learn the basics of hockey, along with fundamental life skills, in a fun, laid-back outdoor atmosphere at eight Detroit Parks & Recreations locations across the city.
"It's always fun," Oesterle said. "I always try to give back. Obviously being from Michigan and being able to give back to the community that gave me so much means a lot."
Oesterle added that working with the city's youth is a humbling experience.
"They don't necessarily care about you," Oesterle said. "Good or bad, they think it's cool that a professional athlete is coming to hang out with them. They all enjoyed it, they all had a great time and had a lot of smiles on their faces."
Rasmussen agreed with Oesterle about how rewarding it feels to make a difference in the community.
"It's nice to be part of the community and help out," Rasmussen said. "Just seeing kids outside and playing sports, especially hockey, is pretty cool."
As part of the innovative Street Hockey in the D: Summer Series, youth participants at all eight locations will learn a new set of skills each week, including stickhandling, passing, shooting, movement techniques and more.
According to McCrimmon, expanding the game across the city is "very cool for the kids."

"Kids who are unable to get to an ice rink in the summer, this gives easy access to playing the game of hockey," said McCrimmon, who is also a Detroit native. "That's also being able to have the sticks, balls and a set-up rink. It's very cool for the kids to get involved, fall in love with the game and hopefully that carries over."
And through programs like Street Hockey in the D: Summer Series, Brown said the Red Wings are continually finding ways to support youth of all ages and abilities.
"Ensuring that our sport continues to grow and reflect the community in which it is held is so important to our organization," Brown said. "Events and programs like Street Hockey in the D and Learn, Play, Score continue that growth trajectory for hockey to ensure that the sport itself is accessible and is providing opportunities for kids to succeed and dream big."
To learn more about the Red Wings' Learn, Play, Score program, visit
DetroitRedWings.com/LearnPlayScore.