Lalonde teaches Detroit youth at 'rewarding' Summer Street Hockey event

DETROIT -- Being the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings and the father of three children can be a balancing act for Derek Lalonde, but there are special times when those roles overlap.

On Tuesday morning, Lalonde and his son, Luke, visited the Crowell Community Center in northwest Detroit to help teach the basics of hockey to the city's youth for the Red Wings' third annual Street Hockey in the D: Summer Series, powered by Chevrolet.

"I think just exposing him to opportunities like this, he loved it," Lalonde said about his son's experience. "He was all smiles. This is rewarding for me and my son, as much as it hopefully was for the children."

As part of the Red Wings' groundbreaking Learn, Play, Score program, the seven-week clinic series is providing more than 300 metro Detroit youth ages 6-14 with an opportunity to learn more about hockey, along with fundamental life skills, in a fun, laid-back outdoor atmosphere at eight Detroit Parks & Recreation locations across the city this summer.

"Learn, Play, Score and Street Hockey in the D are bringing communities together through the connective power of hockey," said Kevin Brown, director of community impact for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. "As we close out another successful Summer Series with Detroit Parks & Recreation and Chevrolet, we continue to be inspired by the positive impact and lifelong skills this initiative provides for kids across Detroit."

Lalonde said he enjoyed helping Learn, Play, Score ambassador and 2023 Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award winner Jason McCrimmon teach hockey to kids at Crowell Community Center.

"These events, we're trying to build the sport within the community," Lalonde said. "This was an absolute blast today."

McCrimmon said Lalonde's coaching philosophy was on display throughout Tuesday's session.

"This was my first time meeting coach," McCrimmon said. "He's a players' coach, which is awesome. The way he interacted with the kids today is something they will keep forever."

Lalonde concluded the session by revealing that 9-year-old Jesudura Bridges, a fourth grader at Madison-Carver Academy, and his family will walk the Hockeytown Red Carpet at Little Caesars Arena prior to attending the Red Wings' Home Opener on Oct. 14 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

"I like hockey," Bridges said. "It's fun. Today was also fun because there were a lot of events here and I like practicing."

McCrimmon then announced this summer's Learn, Play, Score participants from all eight Detroit Parks & Recreation locations will receive tickets to a Red Wings game in 2023-24.

"Getting Bridges to the Home Opener and being able to give tickets to the whole program, courtesy of Chevrolet, was awesome," McCrimmon said. "Events like this never get old. It's always new experiences and new people enjoying it. We want happiness for everyone. It's great to be able to be part of that."

For more information on the Red Wings' Learn, Play, Score program, visit DetroitRedWings.com/LearnPlayScore.

Lalonde excited for training camp in September

Lalonde is set to begin his second season behind the bench in Detroit and feels the anticipation with next month's training camp on the horizon.

"I think we're gonna be a much-improved club," Lalonde said. "That's all we're asking is to keep pushing forward."

The Red Wings have been aggressive about improving their roster this summer, being active in free agency and trades.

"I love the offseason," Lalonde said. "I just wanna be relevant as a team and there's no doubt in my mind that we are. Where we take that is gonna be on us."

One of the biggest signings Detroit made in free agency was a five-year deal for forward J.T. Compher on July 1.

"He's diverse and can play on the wing," Lalonde said about Compher. "I know in the free-agent process, that's what we were sold on him. We're just excited that he wanted to be here."

Lalonde also said defenseman Justin Holl, who inked a three-year deal with Detroit on July 1, will help bolster the team's back-end depth.

"I like Justin a lot," Lalonde said. "We land these kids in free agency and then as coach, you go watch them. I really like, with Justin, he defends and is a first-pass guy."

Then on July 9, Detroit made a splash for more offense by acquiring forward Alex DeBrincat via trade with the Ottawa Senators. Almost immediately after the trade, the Farmington Hills, Mich., native signed a four-year contract extension with the Red Wings.

"I felt there were a lot of hockey games we had a really good team game, the guys did exactly what we asked and we played really well, but we just couldn't finish," Lalonde said. "Some of those games in which we had a good team game we ended up not getting points. We need goals, and that's something obviously (DeBrincat) can do."

And when asked about the return timetable for defenseman Simon Edvinsson, who underwent successful left shoulder surgery on May 1, Lalonde said the organization will likely err on the side of caution.

"My understanding is that he'll be ready right around camp," Lalonde said. "Obviously missing an entire summer with an upper-body injury isn't ideal, so I'm sure we'll take things slow with him."

When the Red Wings head to Traverse City, Lalonde aims to once again emphasize the importance of team defense.

"Every number shows that we improved defensively, but it still wasn't good enough," Lalonde said. "I've been fortunate enough, prior to coming here, being around some winning within this league and it's still about keeping it out of the net."

Lalonde also noted that continuity will benefit several Red Wings players who are hoping to build on where they left off last season.

"I like the fact that we're all returning," Lalonde said. "We get some continuity within our staff too. There's a little comfort level with our group. I think it's gonna be a natural progression and step from our staff all the way down through our players."