Detroit City Wire

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.

On Wednesday, Lalonde visited 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 he expressed excitement 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 noted that expectations have been raised after Detroit narrowly missed qualifying for 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 further progress this season, Lalonde emphasized that every player must commit 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 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 depth on defense during offseason by signing Erik Gustafsson and William Lagesson on July 1st and prospect Albert Johansson who signed on June 19th will compete for a roster spot during Training Camp next month.

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

Still unsigned are restricted free agents Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider but Lalonde remains optimistic deals will get done soon.

"I've talked with (Raymond & Seider) two-three times throughout summer; we don't even talk contracts," he explained."That's between Steve (Yzerman) & agents.With us it's same message as others –we want progress keep moving forward building this.We want little more from last year.Obviosuly those two guys big part it."

"I'm not worried.I've had experience past RFAs.It’s all part process."