Detroit, MI
As PWHL visits Detroit, lack of in-state equity in women’s game rises to surface
A trio of pro women’s hockey players from the Professional Women Hockey League’s Boston franchise will be making a homecoming this Saturday, as the league rolls into Detroit for a “Takeover Weekend” game between Boston and Ottawa.
Saturday’s game in Detroit between Ottawa and Boston begins at 6 p.m., and Toronto will play Montreal at Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena at 12:30 p.m.
But as Shiann Darkangelo (Brighton), Taylor Girard (Macomb) and Megan Keller (Farmington) return for a women’s pro game in Detroit, they can’t help but be reminded that “Hockeytown” has very little women’s representation at the highest levels.
Though Detroit — home to the Red Wings, one of the NHL’s “Original Six” franchises — is an obvious target if and when the recently debuted PWHL decides to expand, that is only half the battle.
In the state of Michigan, there are seven NCAA Division 1 men’s teams to zero women’s programs (though a handful of the schools have club teams). Darkangelo (Quinnipiac), Girard (Quinnipiac) and Keller (Boston College) all had to leave the state to play college hockey. Many years later, they aren’t able to be a pro in their hometown, either.
“I think it’s something that we’ve always wanted and it’s been talked about, from Michigan State to the University of Michigan,” Darkangelo said. “Obviously, Wayne State had a program as well.
“But I think it would be huge to be able to have a professional team there. It might kind of push people, I feel like, to get the involvement at the University of Michigan, to have a Division I team. I know they have like a club team and things, and there are people working in that direction, but it would be super exciting to see that.”
Keller is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and traveled the world because of her hockey talent. One place it doesn’t often take her, however, is her hometown of Detroit. Still, she thinks the idea of expansion is “inevitable,” which bodes well for getting a local women’s hockey club in Hockeytown.
“Just to see the support and the success that the PWHL has had already, personally, I would love to see Detroit or other markets get a team,” Keller said. “There’s so much room for growth in women’s hockey and especially at the professional level. To have that access for young hockey players in those different markets, it’s something fans — Detroit hockey fans — deserve.”
It’ll be a special moment for each player. Darkangelo played for Little Caesars AAA Hockey growing up, while part of Girard’s love of the game was born from attending Red Wings games as a kid.
“Different rink now, but it’s going to be cool to just be in that building and just be in my hometown,” Girard said.
All have the opportunity to pay it forward by representing the women’s game for many young girls in attendance.
“Just really excited to play in front of friends and family and also bring the PWHL to Detroit,” Keller said.
“I mean, it’s called Hockeytown for a reason, and there’s so much youth girls hockey throughout the state of Michigan. It’ll be exciting for all the fans to watch women’s professional hockey.”
nbianchi@detroitnews.com
@nolanbianchi
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Detroit, MI
Detroit Lions rule out All-Pro safety, list 7 others as questionable vs. Rams
ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions will be without safety Kerby Joseph again this weekend, while listing seven other players as questionable.
Joseph and fellow safety Brian Branch were the only players ruled out ahead of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. Branch is out for the season due to an Achilles injury, but has not been placed on injured reserve yet. And Joseph, who will now miss his eighth straight game, suffered a setback and could be a candidate for injured reserve, per Dan Campbell.
The Lions listed tight end Shane Zylstra (knee), running back Sione Vaki (thumb), wide receiver Kalif Raymond (ankle), guard Christian Mahogany (fibula), safety Thomas Harper (concussion protocol), left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder/rest) and guard Kayode Awosika (foot) as questionable.
Decker has not practiced this week. But he’s been dealing with a shoulder injury all season and is coming off playing three games in less than two weeks. Awosika missed last week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys due to his foot injury. The veteran guard has practiced in a limited capacity all week long.
Trystan Colon and Miles Frazier split duties at left guard last week for Awosika. The Lions will have a decision to make there between those three options, but perhaps for only another weekend.
Mahogany returned to practice this week. He seems like a longshot to play this weekend based on his injury. But the Lions are listing him as questionable after logging three limited practices in his first action back on the field.
Zylstra has been back at practice for two weeks in his return from injured reserve. Heading into the weekend, the Lions have only one tight end on their 53-man roster (Anthony Firkser) and hope to get Zylstra back.
Campbell said Harper has a chance to play against the Rams despite spending the week in concussion protocol. The Lions could sure use Harper, with Branch and Joseph both out, to hold things down at safety with Avonte Maddox against the high-powered Rams.
“Harper will be out there at practice today, so feel pretty good about him, but we’ll see,” Campbell said on Friday morning. “There again, I can’t give you definitives right now, but that’s kind of where we’re at.
“So, we’ll be good. Look, (Erick) Hallett’s been taking reps, (Daniel Thomas) DT’s been taking reps, Maddox has been taking reps. We’ve got plenty of guys. They’re getting valuable reps, so we’re good.”
Raymond has missed two consecutive games due to an ankle injury suffered against the New York Giants. He has a shot to return after working back into practice, and should reclaim his role returning punts.
Vaki has continued to play through his thumb injury. He hasn’t returned kickoffs since suffering the injury, with Tom Kennedy and Jacob Saylors taking over.
Detroit, MI
Oilers turn in smart, defensive game and Hyman hat trick for 4-1 win over Detroit: Cult of Hockey Player Grades
CONNOR McDAVID. 9. In a quiet first minutes of this one McDavid had the most dangerous shot for, glancing off Talbot’s shoulder and out. Terrific patience on the doorstep before dishing to Hyman for the 1-0. Nearly outwaited Talbot again later in the frame. Dished the disk back to Ekholm on the 2-0. Pranced in and rifled a backhand off Talbot. Hi-lite reel assist on the 3-1, where he knocks down a puck then puts a backhand through his own legs to a waiting Hyman alone in the slot. An assist on the 4-1, for his forty-third four-point game. 63% on faceoffs. Second Star.
Detroit, MI
SAY Detroit unveils plans for new play center on city’s west side
Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown on ankle injury recovery
Amon-Ra St. Brown said he started feeling better two days before the Detroit Lions’ game against the Cowboys, after injuring his ankle Thanksgiving.
SAY Detroit had a surprise in store during its 14th annual fundraiser.
The charity founded by Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom announced plans for a new SAY Detroit Play Center on the city’s west side during its annual radiothon, taking place on Thursday, Dec. 11. The after-school educational center will be built on the campus of St. Cecilia’s church, which includes the historic St. Cecilia gym, also known as the Mecca of Detroit basketball.
The new facility will be called the SAY Detroit Play Center at St. Cecilia.
This will be the organization’s second play center, with the first opening in 2015 along Van Dyke Avenue on the city’s east side. The center provides educational and recreational opportunities for kids from 8-18 at Lipke Park.
The announcement was made during the foundation’s 15-hour radiothon, which raises money for SAY Detroit and other affiliated charities. Last year’s radiothon raised a record $2.23 million, with the fundraiser bringing in over $16.5 million in total since it was launched in 2012.
SAY Detroit was founded in 2006 by Albom and operates the play center and free family health clinic, along with providing a housing program for Detroit families and other direct efforts with the community.
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
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