There’s not an official stat on this — that I know of — but the Kings probably lead the league in Michigan natives, so this is, in a sense, a homecoming for the Kings. Alec Martinez is a native of Rochester Hills — 25 miles north of Detroit — and will be playing in his home state in the NHL for the first time tonight. Ironically, though, three of his first 12 NHL games will have been against the Red Wings. Matt Greene is a native of Grand Ledge (roughly 100 miles northwest of Detroit) and Jack Johnson was born in Indianapolis but grew up in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (28 miles northwest of Detroit). Then there’s Scott Parse, who is injured but is a native of Portage (140 miles west of Detroit). Greene said he might have some friends at the game, but perhaps not, given the weather and the way the roads look today. The Red Wings have three Michigan natives — Justin Abdelkader, Brian Rafalski and the injured Mike Modano — on their roster.
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Rich, did any of the guys make it out to ‘The Big Chill’ game on Sunday?
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Michigan…it’s like a big glove waving hello. Except for the upper peninsula where all the dumb people in the state live.
Oddly enough if Michigan were a hand, Detroit is located sorta near where Willie Mitchell broke his wrist… and he’s back tonight. So there’s something for you.
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nickdoh Reply:
December 13th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
@Shakes,
dontcha be dissin’ no yoopers now eh!
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YooperSkip Reply:
December 13th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
@Shakes, Big Dotto’s re: dissing Yoopers,eh! Shakes–are you from the LOWER Peninsula,commonly called Trolls because you are under the Bridge. GKG!!!!
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Will DL drop in for some holiday cheer with Red Berenson?
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puck73 Reply:
December 13th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
@Cristobal, Awesome Wolverine-JJ blast !
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That Big Chill game was awesome to see. Collage hockey sold out at the Big House. Man that blew me away. Just to know that this great game is still loved in some parts of the country. you would think here in Utah people would like our winter sport, but they don’t. People here love their Jazz, but don’t surport the local hockey club. I beleive that hockey has all of the 3 other major sports rapped up on one game. Anyway there nothing better then towatch the Kings playing on VS and the rest of the country can see our club. As long as we play hard and a full 60 than i’ll be happy. Good to know that all of our holes are filled up and hopefully Richie gets back soon.
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Clifford’s home is 2 hours 45 minutes away also. Much close.
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My dads from Michigan, and I’m a Kings fan!
Some sorta third cousin’s brother’s aunt’s adopted red headed step child sorta way.
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the funny thing to me is there are so many people in the Los Angeles Area that are from Michigan. I bet if you did a survey or ran the #’s there is more people in LA from michigan than any other NHL city(excluding Detroit). Myself alone, and im not exagerating, i have 12 friends that have moved here within the past 4 years that are from michigan. Its like one moves here and realizes we have good weather year round and they bring the whole gang.
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Doc. Mark 1968 Reply:
December 13th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,
There is a ton of Chicago people in LA as well. I actually grew up with a couple of Bostonian friends.
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If Grapes was an American, he would say:
“Look at these beautiful boys, they are all good Michigan boys who know how to play hockey the right way!”
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puck73 Reply:
December 13th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968, Grapes is hilarious !
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