Helping to advance the sport of hockey, Veleno visits students at Mackenzie Elementary-Middle School in Detroit

From January 30 to February 9, more than 34,000 students at various Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) K-8 campuses will participate in the innovative street hockey program as part of their physical education classes.

“It's about growing the sport of hockey,” said Ryan Gustafson, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment (IS+E), who was also in attendance Tuesday. “The best way to achieve this is through a partnership with schools. The support from our partnership with DPSCD, the educators and everyone involved just makes the entire experience better. It helps us grow the game and impact kids’ lives, and that’s what this is all about.”

Veleno helped lead hockey skills stations alongside several IS+E Community Impact colleagues and had one of the biggest smiles in the room full of excited students.

“I never had these opportunities as a kid,” Veleno said. “For an NHL player to come to your school and talk to you and show you how to play means a lot to me and hopefully to them too.”

“Street Hockey in the D: At School” is an important program because it promotes healthy lifestyles and helps students create new memories, said Kevin Brown, director of community impact at IS+E.

“Seeing tens of thousands of students experience the joy and excitement of hockey in their physical education classes each year is unlike anything we have ever experienced as an organization,” Brown said. “Growing the game is so important to the Detroit Red Wings. We know that access leads to opportunities that ultimately open the doors to big dreams for kids through the power of hockey.”