Red Wings visit Children's Hospital of Michigan

The Detroit Red Wings players and coaches, minus Jiri Fischer and Kris Draper, visited Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. The Wings make this trip yearly to encourage and lift the spirits of young ones fighting illnesses like cancer and hydrocephalus, an increase of fluid on the brain causing one boy named Joey to have 66 surgeries. Fischer could not attend for his obvious health condition and Draper came down with the flu and since some kids have low immune systems, he didn't want to jeopardize their health. Both the players and patients missed Fischer because he is a team spokesman for the hospital's Wish Club. "It was a little tough on all of us, knowing Fish wasn't going to be part of it," said Anne Marie Krappmann, community relations manager for the Wings. The Wings players chatted with parents and the kids, signed jerseys and photos, and took photos with the kids. Captain Steve Yzerman is always a big hit with the kids and this year was no exception. "You know, we get caught up in our lives, things we think are important," Yzerman said. "These people here, they don't complain. They don't feel sorry for themselves, they just do what they have to do." As much as the Wings inspire the young patients, the players are very much inspired by the kids. "The kids feel pretty good about seeing us, so you can't help but feel pretty good about coming down here. We feel good seeing them," Yzerman said.

Source: The Detroit News

Yzerman signed a hat, sweater, and puck for Michael Columbia, a 13-year-old boy who was diagnosed with brain cancer in April. "Stevie's my favorite player," Michael said. "My father's told me a lot about him. He said he hoped that my treatments are good and that I don't get sick again." Head coach Mike Babcock is active in multiple pediatric cancer charities and always admires the families of these ill children for their determination, love, and strength through it all. "You know, I lost my mom to cancer, but losing a mother doesn't even compare to losing a child," he said. "I have good friends who have lost children. ... I can't even imagine. I have three healthy children and thank God every day for that." Other players' thoughts on the day's event:

"If you can just make the kids feel good for a couple of hours, and not have them think about what's going on for them, that's good," Tomas Holmstrom said. "It gets to be really hard, 24 hours a day," Mathieu Schneider said. "It's really miraculous what these kids and families go through. The amazing thing with these kids, though, is they're so resilient. When you see their faces, it gives you a special feeling."