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Former Red Wings Encourage Kids To Get Fit

DETROIT (WWJ) - Former Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup champ Kris Draper suited up as a goalie on Thursday for a one-on-one against his former linemate Kirk Maltby.

It was all part of an assembly at Heritage Elementary School in Saline to teach the kids hockey and about the benefits of exercise and healthy living,

Wings At School (3)
(credit: WWJ/Sandra McNeil)

Draper said he had fun -- but Maltby got the best of the match-up. "[There was] a lot of pressure ion Kirk to score to tie it up and, once again, he came through. I knew he was gonna go high-glove!"

Draper told WWJ Newsradio 950's Sandra McNeil he was impressed by the students' enthusiasm.

"There's so many kids that are wearing their Red Wings jerseys, t-shirts, you name it. It just shows why this is Hockey Town," Draper said.

But, after a nearly four-month-long lockout, will the fans of Hockey Town return? Draper said he knows many are angry.

"I think the reason why people are so mad is because they're so passionate towards hockey, and sports and the Detroit Red Wings, and it was taken away from them," said Draper. "You know, the bottom line -- the way to get the fans back -- is the players winning their hockey games, you know. That's what people want to see."

Wings At School (2)
(credit: WWJ/Sandra McNeil)
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