DRAPER AND KOCUR TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS AT DEC. 29 GAME
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Two Detroit Red Wings alumni and Stanley Cup Champions will meet fans and sign autographs on Saturday, Dec. 29 at Van Andel Arena, when the Grand Rapids Griffins host “Red Wings Legends Night with Kris Draper and Joe Kocur.”
Boasting a combined seven Stanley Cup rings, Draper and Kocur will sign autographs from 5:45-7:15 p.m., serving as a prelude to the Griffins’ 7 p.m. game versus the Toronto Marlies. Additionally, 1,200 fans will receive a Scotty Bowman bobblehead.
Draper, who was a part of the Red Wings’ championship teams in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008, played all but 20 of his 1,157 NHL games with Detroit from 1993-2011 and recorded 364 points (161-203—364) over his 20-year career. Draper also captured the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2004 and earned a gold medal with Canada at the World Cup that same year. He joined the Red Wings’ hockey operations staff as special assistant to the general manager upon his retirement following the 2010-11 season.
Kocur, who hoisted the Cup in 1997 and 1998 with Detroit and in 1994 with the New York Rangers, was a member of the Red Wings from 1984-91 and 1996-99 and logged 162 points (80-82—162) in 820 games with Detroit, New York and Vancouver. Kocur also registered 2,519 penalty minutes in his 15-year career, which ranks 20th in NHL history. He has also stayed involved with Detroit after retiring in 2000, currently serving as the president of the Red Wings Alumni Association.
The contest versus Toronto is part of a season-high seven-game homestand for Grand Rapids, which kicks off tonight when the Griffins host the Rochester Americans at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at griffinshockey.com.