Young Fan with Big Hockey Dreams Takes in Red Wings Practice

Motte surprises local 11-year-old hockey player and his family with tickets to Saturday’s game

Holding their first practice since the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off break, the Detroit Red Wings invited a very special guest to Little Caesars Arena’s BELFOR Training Center on Tuesday afternoon.

Scott Hart, an 11-year-old who currently plays youth hockey in the metro Detroit area, watched the Red Wings run through drills before meeting Tyler Motte after practice.

“Giving back to the community is important to me being from Michigan and playing for the youth hockey programs around Detroit,” Motte said. “It means a lot. As kids watch practices and games, they look up to not just players like me but our leadership. [Captain Dylan Larkin] is his favorite player. It goes a long way, giving back to our community.”

In addition to receiving a new Red Wings jersey from Motte, Hart and his family were gifted tickets to Saturday’s matinee against the Minnesota Wild, which coincides with Kids Day at Little Caesars Arena.

“I’m so happy to go to the game,” said Hart, who also thanked Motte for helping make what was surely an unforgettable afternoon.

A native of Detroit’s westside, Hart started playing hockey roughly six years ago. Hart’s love for the game has only grown since then, prompting his parents to build him a backyard rink that the family has maintained for the past four winters.

For Motte, who was born in St. Clair, Mich., hockey also was a big part of his childhood.

“The few Red Wings games that we got down to in Detroit were always important and awesome,” Motte said. “Growing up, watching great teams but getting into other hockey like college hockey and the [Port Huron Prowlers]. Going to those games and getting signed sticks, pucks and all that goes a long way. I remember being [Hart’s] age and what it meant to me and is part of my hockey career.”

Before wrapping up their combined post-practice media session, Hart told Motte that he hopes “you guys can make it to the playoffs.”

The 29-year-old forward smiled.

“We’ll do our best for you, buddy,” Motte said. “We look forward to seeing you at the game.”

By Jonathan Mills for detroitredwings.com

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