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
Michigan flower sale for Mental Health Awareness Month
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Detroit, MI
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell to miss rookie camp for personal reasons
Dave Birkett wraps up 2024 NFL draft for Detroit Lions
Lions beat reporter Dave Birkett joins Carlos and Shawn to help break down all the draft moves made by the Detroit Lions, April 27, 2024.
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell will miss this weekend’s rookie minicamp for personal reasons.
Campbell is expected back with the team later this month.
The Lions have three days of minicamp practice today-Sunday at their Allen Park practice facility for rookie draft picks, undrafted free agents and select first-year and tryout players.
Several Lions rookies said during the draft they connected with Campbell during their pre-draft visit to Detroit and were excited to play for him this fall.
“Just walking down the hallway, seeing all the historical figures on the wall and seeing the amazing facility, but most importantly, to me, was meeting head coach Dan Campbell and the GM,” offensive lineman Gio Manu said. “Both of them are really good guys. I relate to their work ethic and all that. And I loved my visit overall and I remember leaving, I told myself, ‘I felt at home here and I would not mind at all if these guys took a chance on me.’ And I so happen to be here now, so it was great.”
The Lions made six picks in last month’s draft. They traded up for Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold in Round 1, grabbed Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in Round 2 and added Manu, running back Sione Vaki, defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo and offensive guard Christian Mahogany on Day 3.
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Vaki compared Campbell to his coach at Utah, Kyle Whittingham, and said both have similar standards “as far as just putting our head down and working.” And Rakestraw said his interactions with Campbell made the Lions one of his favorite pre-draft visits.
“I liked how Coach is, Coach Campbell, his philosophy and the coordinator’s philosophy about physicality,” Rakestraw said. “I feel like that’s what I bring, so I felt like it was a great fit.”
After rookie minicamp, where players attend meetings and practice without pads, the Lions have nine Organized Team Activity practices May 21-23, 29-31 and June 10-12, and a three-day mandatory minicamp June 4-6.
Vaki deal done
Vaki finalized his four-year rookie contract and is expected to sign with the Lions before Friday’s first practice.
The 132nd overall pick in the draft, Vaki deal is worth a slotted value of $4.67 million, according to Spotrac.
Historically, the Lions have signed most of their draft class to contracts before the start of rookie minicamp. All rookie deals are slotted under the current collective bargaining agreement, though some contracts take longer to finalize because of negotiations over guaranteed money.
Vaki played safety and running back in his two seasons at Utah but will start his NFL career on offense and projects as a key special teams player this fall. He had 42 carries for 317 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
Detroit, MI
Simba the lion leaving Detroit Zoo after more than 10 years
ROYAL OAK, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – Simba is saying goodbye to the Detroit Zoo.
Zoo officials announced that the lion is moving to the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after more than a decade in Michigan.
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recommended the transfer “to support the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse and demographically varied lion population in zoos,” according to a news release.
Officials say Simba fathered a cub named Binti.
“Though we will miss him dearly, we know he will receive the highest level of care in his new home and continue to be a fantastic ambassador for African lions in the wild,” the zoo said.
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