It’s September once again and the Detroit Red Wings are in As fans flock to one of northern Michigan’s premier vacation spots to see their hockey heroes, they can also get reacquainted with a smattering of collegiate players that they may have rooted either for or against in the past.
Former Northern Michigan University Wildcat Dallas Drake in one of them and is now in his second stint in the "Winged Wheel."
The 14-year NHL vet has amassed 174 career goals and 471 total points and will be looked to for providing a little grit, and maybe some scoring, from the right side. Drake and defenseman Brian Rafalski, a Dearborn native, were the Wings main free agent pick-ups over the summer and will certainly be lacing up their skates this season in Hockey Town.
A few other names you might remember aren’t such sure bets to make it to
Michigan Tech's former captain Brett Engelhardt spent the last two seasons with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL and has a two-way deal with the Wings.
Jon Insana (pictured with the Grand Rapids Griffins) skated four years on the blue line at Michigan State University before floating around the last five years in the ECHL, UHL and AHL.
Dominic Vicari put in three years between the pipes in
The Red Wings training camp begins today and concludes on Tuesday, September 18.
This year there will also be eight NHL teams sending players to
Former collegians returning home include Western Michigan's Paul Szczechura (Dallas Stars), MSU’s A.J. Thelen (Minnesota Wild) and Corey Potter (New York Rangers) and Northern's Dusty Collins (Tampa Bay Lightning).
The Prospects Tourney begins today and will finish up with the championship game on Tuesday night, September 11.
For a terrific snapshot look at this year’s training camp, please visit RedWingsCentral.com.
