Red Wings Practice the Centerpiece of Sept. 19 Charitable Event at Van Andel Arena

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings will return to Van Andel Arena for the first time in four years on Wednesday, Sept. 19, when the Grand Rapids Griffins host “Wings for Lunch,” presented by your local West Michigan Chrysler Jeep Dealers.

The event will begin at noon with a 75-minute Red Wings practice, followed at 1:45 p.m. by a 75-minute Griffins practice. All healthy Detroit-contracted players are scheduled to practice, with those from the first practice participating in a 45-minute autograph session with fans beginning at 2:15 p.m.

During the intermission between the practices, the Griffins will introduce new game sweaters for the 2007-08 season in an on-ice ceremony, unveiling their first updated jersey design in five years.

Griffins full and mini-season ticket holders may purchase an unlimited number of “Wings for Lunch” VIP early admission tickets for a charitable contribution of just $5 apiece. Members of the public wishing to attend will receive one general admission ticket for every regular priced ticket they purchase for the Griffins’ home opener on Saturday, Oct. 20 versus Rockford.

In addition, fans can purchase a Hockeytown West Package that includes one VIP early admission ticket to the “Wings for Lunch” practice and autograph session, one ticket to Griffins opening night, and four flex tickets good for any Griffins game during the 2007-08 season. Prices are $60 for the upper bowl and $70 for the lower, and all orders placed before Sept. 7 will be entered into a drawing to win a pair of tickets to the Red Wings’ season opener against Anaheim on Oct. 3.

The schedule for “Wings for Lunch” is as follows:

11 a.m. - Arena doors open for VIP early admission (Griffins full and mini-season ticket holders); Concession stands open for fans wishing to purchase lunch
11:30 a.m. - Arena doors open for general public
Noon-1:15 p.m. - Red Wings practice
1:30 p.m. - Griffins introduce new game sweaters
1:45-3 p.m. - Griffins practice
2:15-3 p.m. - Red Wings autograph session with fans

“Wings for Lunch” will mark the Red Wings’ first appearance in Grand Rapids since the third Red & White Game on Sept. 18, 2003. In addition to Hockeytown heroes such as Nicklas Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Dominik Hasek and Chris Chelios, a number of former Griffins are also slated to participate, including Niklas Kronwall, Valtteri Filppula, Jiri Hudler, Tomas Kopecky and Brett Lebda.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Griffins Youth Foundation and its mission to promote academic excellence, community involvement and healthy lifestyles among the youth of West Michigan, enhancing their lives through hockey and ice-related sports. More information about the foundation is available at griffinskids.org.

Current Griffins full and mini-season ticket holders will receive a mailing within the next week providing more information and an order form for “Wings for Lunch” tickets. Other fans wishing to purchase tickets can call the Griffins office at (616) 774-4585 or visit griffinshockey.com/redwings.