Receiving a unique offseason experience, Alex DeBrincat, a forward for the Detroit Red Wings, took flight with Major Scott Laux of the Blue Angels at Willow Run Airport on Saturday morning. The Blue Angels are an elite flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy.
“That was wild,” DeBrincat expressed to DetroitRedWings.com shortly after his flight in the backseat of the Blue Angels’ No. 7 F/A-18 Super Hornet. “I feel like you can look online and see all the stuff, but you don’t really get the full thing until you’re out there. It was pretty fun.”
As part of this weekend’s 2025 Thunder Over Michigan Air Show, DeBrincat and Ann Arbor Pioneer High School swim coach Stefanie Kersha were chosen as “Key Influencer” riders by the Blue Angels. While Kersha flew on Tuesday afternoon, DeBrincat’s flight was rescheduled for later in the week.
Both completed a pre-flight safety briefing together, learning proper breathing techniques and cockpit layout from U.S. Navy Aviation Support Equipment Technician First Class Crew Chief Tamara Perez.
Despite preparation, DeBrincat noted his nerves when “the Super Hornet roared down the runway and ascended into the air at a stomach-turning 45-degree angle.”
“That got me pretty nervous for the rest of the flight honestly,” he said. “That was pretty crazy. I would say I’m not a huge fan of heights in general or being up there and doing all that stuff, but I definitely got more comfortable as we went through.”
During their 45-minute flight, Laux performed several maneuvers including some personal favorites like “the Loop.” He described it as pulling into vertical before tilting upside down at 10,000 feet to see “the whole world come into view.”
Laux stated that they reached speeds up to 650 miles per hour and experienced forces up to 7.5 Gs during their time in airspace above Belleville.
“Not everybody does [well], but [DeBrincat] did a really, really good job,” Laux remarked about DeBrincat’s handling of G-forces.
DeBrincat’s family watched from below as he soared above them; his brother Archie particularly excited about attending.
Upon landing safely back onto solid ground once more – Major Laux presented him with personalized memorabilia while receiving custom Red Wings jersey himself – marking memorable endcap daylong eventful ride-along mission held annually across country venues nationwide alike under banner ‘Thunder Over Michigan’.
“It’s such cool experience – once-in-a-lifetime thing,” concluded De Brincta afterward reflecting upon thrilling morning spent aloft alongside military aviators dedicated preserving skies freedom worldwide through display prowess unmatched anywhere else earthbound today!
