The NHL’s United By Hockey Mobile Museum recently made a stop at Little Caesars Arena during its multi-city tour, allowing metro Detroiters to explore interactive exhibits that tell the story of the NHL’s humble beginnings, its rise to popularity, and the diverse individuals who helped make the game what it is today.
Following the visit to Little Caesars Arena, the mobile museum stopped at a special community event for Detroit families at Jack Adams Memorial Arena. Located on the city’s west side, attendees experienced ice skating, street hockey led by Red Wings Learn, Play, Score Ambassador Jason McCrimmon, and a Little Caesars Food Truck.
“It’s always amazing to interact with young people interested in hockey. Exposing more Detroiters to the sport makes my job worthwhile, and it gives me purpose,” said McCrimmon, who is a 2023 Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award finalist and the founder of nonprofit Detroit Ice Dreams, which is dedicated to promoting and subsidizing hockey for underrepresented youth in the community.
The NHL’s United By Hockey Mobile Museum was launched in 2023 to bring together communities across the United States and Canada through hockey. Prior to 2023, the league’s Black Hockey History Tour mobile history museum traveled to different cities, showcasing the incredible impact of Black pioneers and trailblazers in NHL history. Starting at All-Star Weekend in February and continuing through June, the United By Hockey Mobile Museum has been traveling to all 32 of the NHL’s markets.
From the Original Six teams to the expansion era and beyond, the mobile museum celebrates hockey’s trailblazers, changemakers and business leaders spanning multiple underrepresented and multicultural demographics.
“Through United By Hockey’s mobile museum and other local initiatives, we’re not only promoting the game, but also championing unity and inclusivity through our continued commitment to ensure Hockey is for Everyone,” said Kevin Brown, Director of Community Impact for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment.
Consistent with the mission of United By Hockey, the Detroit Red Wings champion community programs like Learn, Play, Score, focusing on breaking down systemic barriers by providing equitable access to hockey in various forms for tens of thousands of children across Detroit. Programming includes “Street Hockey in The D,” Esports lounges at the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan, ice rink collaborations with Clark Park, East Side Hockey Ice Arena and Jack Adams Memorial Arena, open skate opportunities for youth at Little Caesars Arena and more.
