Continuing to give back to Detroit community, Lalonde helps grow sport at Summer Street Hockey event 

DETROIT – Derek Lalonde is committed to being the best head coach he can be for the Detroit Red Wings just as much as he wants to make a difference in the community.

That’s why on Wednesday, Lalonde stopped by the Adams Butzel Complex on Detroit’s westside to help teach the basics of hockey to the city’s youth for the Red Wings’ fourth annual Street Hockey in the D: Summer Series, powered by Chevrolet.

Led by Learn, Play, Score ambassador and 2023 Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award winner Jason McCrimmon, the street hockey clinic series is helping bring more than 300 Detroit youth ages 6-14 closer to the sport by introducing them to fundamental skills like shooting, passing and stickhandling.

Lalonde said seeing up close just how excited kids are to play hockey never gets old.

“I did this event last year,” Lalonde said. “I’ve gotten to know Jason extremely well. He’s so genuine. I love doing this. I brought my younger son last time, brought my older son this time, and we have a blast.”

An extension of the Red Wings’ innovative Learn, Play, Score program, the clinic series is taking place at eight Detroit Parks & Recreation locations across the city this summer.

“You got to start somewhere,” Lalonde said about getting more children into the game. “It was a blast to see the kids get into it. I was going to be a teacher back in the day, got my undergrad in education. I like kids. This is a really good event that I’ve gotten to enjoy over the last couple of years.”

Lalonde was also asked about the upcoming 2024-25 NHL season, and the 51-year-old head coach said he’s excited about the potential of the Red Wings’ remade roster.

“I think we did a good job addressing some holes,” Lalonde said. “It feels like guys may be slotted going into the year a little bit. I think we did a good job addressing some offense, which is very important. It’s just exciting. All I’ve known since coming here is progression.”

Lalonde said expectations have been raised after Detroit just missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.

“This is all part of the process,” Lalonde said. “Expectations have changed because we flirted with getting there -- 91 points. We just want a little bit more from everyone. It’s going to be all about a good start.”

For the Red Wings to take another step forward this season, Lalonde said every player must be committed to improving their defensive game.

“We made strides last year,” Lalonde said. “A lot of that was because we were able to find some goals, but obviously I think the numbers speak for themselves. We were a top-10 team in goals scored but bottom-10 in goals against, so we’d love to improve that goals against.”

Detroit added to its blue-line depth this offseason by signing Erik Gustafsson to a two-year free-agent contract and William Lagesson to a one-year free-agent contract on July 1. And prospect Albert Johansson, who inked a one-year, two-way deal on June 19, is expected to compete for a Red Wings roster spot during Training Camp next month.

“I think we were very fortunate last year in staying healthy on the back end, but we’ll need that depth,” Lalonde said. “All eight (defensemen) are very capable. I’m very excited about Simon (Edvinsson). His play towards the end of the year last year was exciting.”

Still unsigned are restricted free agents Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider, but Lalonde said he’s optimistic that deals will get done for the Red Wings’ pair of cornerstone pieces.

“I’ve talked with (Raymond and Seider) two to three times throughout the summer and we don’t even talk about the contract,” Lalonde said. “That’s between Steve (Yzerman) and the agents. With us, it’s just the same message as with the other guys – we want to progress, keep moving and keep building this. We want a little bit more from last year. Obviously those two guys are a big part of it.

“I’m not worried. I’ve had a little experience with this in the past with RFAs. It’s all part of the process.”