Detroit's prospects participate in Hockeytown Cares Community Tour

TRAVERSE CITY -- For the first time since the inception of the NHL Prospect Tournament, the Detroit Red Wings prospects took part in the Hockeytown Cares Community Tour, presented by ITC Holdings Corp.
On Sunday, the entire Wings Prospect Tournament team participated in an interactive afternoon with firefighters, police officers and the K-9 unit when visiting the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Station.

Players participated in equipment and vehicle demonstrations, witnessed how the K-9 unit searches for contraband and attacks sinister characters and even toured the living quarters of the firefighters, who live at the station when they're on duty.
"It was a good experience, you get to see first-hand kind of what these guys go through on a daily basis of what they've got to do when they get called and the risks they take for us," Red Wings defenseman Cole Fraser said. "Today gave me a good view of what they do and made me have a new respect for these guys. Obviously, I respected them before, but to see exactly what they do makes it bigger."
Fraser, who has a relative in the police department and a few close friends training to become police officers, took part in two demonstrations, dragging a mannequin body and firing the gigantic fire hose.
It was a little more challenging than the rugged 6-foot-2, 191-pound Fraser was expecting.
"The first time I dragged it, I didn't realize it was going to be that heavy. When I got to the end, it was pretty tough and then having to go back (dragging the body back to where he started), it was honestly very taxing," Fraser said. "I can't even imagine what these guys are doing when they're having to drag these bodies 400, 500 feet. Being a hockey player and being physically fit, it was even tough for myself."
As difficult as dragging the body was for Fraser, he thought the fire hose would be a snap -- kind of like watering your lawn with a little bit bigger hose.

"It was definitely unexpected, I didn't think it was going to be that hard," Fraser said. "The hose was heavy and when the pressure comes out, it almost shoots you back. They were saying it's only stronger when it's coming out of the truck; I if I did that, I may have actually fallen down."
Another Red Wings prospect, defenseman Vili Saarijarvi, has a brother-in-law who is a former police officer.
Saarijarvi says he would have been a law enforcement officer if he were not a hockey player.

"I think it would be a cool job. My sister's husband used to be a cop and every day he goes to work, it's a completely new day, every day," Saarijarvi said. "You never know what's going to happen, you get to help a lot of people and it was something I always wanted to do when I was younger and now getting this experience to see how everything works here, it's pretty cool.
"They have a lot of things going on. It's looks like they're pretty busy men and women. It's huge for the community, for everyone to have these guys around and being able to help people, to save people, it's something we really have to be thankful for."
As appreciative as the Red Wings were of the generosity of their hosts, the police officers and firefighters were happy the Wings players took time to reach out to them.
"I thought it was pretty neat that the organization would have their future players interact with cross-sections of the community and get an understanding of what goes on," said Lieutenant Chris Barsheff from the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's office. "They want them to be as diverse as they can. When you're a hockey player, it seems like all you know is skate, sleep and travel.
"Those are the things you do when you play hockey in your youth and your upbringing and you don't always get an opportunity to interact with the community and government or aspects of it. I think it's great for the organization to expose these kids to different aspects of the community and organizations.
"The Red Wings organization is top-notch and they've been in our community for over 15-plus years and they always been first class, and this is what I would expect for them to do."
Lieutenant Andy Doornbos of the Grand Traverse Fire Department was impressed with the way the prospects were completely engaged in the experiences of a first responder.
"They all seemed interested. A lot of times with that many people you don't get that but, they all seemed genuinely interested in what the sheriff's department does and what we do," Lt. Doornbos said. "They all commented on the weight of some of the things we have to carry (like) our gear and that we're still be able to perform the functions that they got to do in their shorts."
As the afternoon was wrapping up, it was evident the most popular demonstration of the day was the K-9 unit, which didn't surprise Lt. Barsheff.

"It's just the dog in itself. Everybody can relate to an animal, a dog. It's living, breathing and it's something you can pet and get a reaction," Lt. Barsheff said. "It's not as fun as our equipment that we use on a regular basis or our other assets. I think that's why the attention gets drawn to it.
"You know it loves back. You go up to it and pet it and it gives a reaction, unlike a dive oxygen tank or an underwater robot or another piece of equipment like that."
Fraser and Saarijarvi were totally enthralled by the K-9 unit.
"I've always wanted to be a K-9 officer since I was little," Fraser said. "I've gone on a few K-9 ride-a-longs with a couple of friends' fathers and getting to see it again, it never gets old for me. It always makes me happy to see these dogs. I love dogs and getting to see what they do here, it's amazing."
Saarijarvi marveled at the skill a K-9 dog possesses.
"The police dog, I think it was really cool, how smart they are. I love dogs, they're super smart in the way how they can smell things and find things - that's pretty impressive," he said.
The Red Wings prospects signed two jerseys (one for each department) and donated tickets to allow the officers and firefighters to attend training camp and the Red Wings Alumni and Celebrity game.
As the prospects bus was pulling away, Lt. Doornbos was asked what he hoped the young men took away from their afternoon with the firefighters and law enforcement officers.
Without hesitation, he said, "That the teamwork that they will learn throughout their hockey careers will directly translate into life."
Mission accomplished, Lt. Doornbos.