NHL, NHLPA and Red Wings donate Zamboni to Michigan rink

The NHL, the NHLPA and the Detroit Red Wings have donated a new Zamboni to Cedar Rock Sportsplex in Cedar Springs, Michigan, announcing the gift on Sunday, Oct. 4.

The donation is meant to keep hockey programming available to local families in Cedar Springs and the surrounding communities.

The surprise was revealed after an NHL/NHLPA Learn to Play session hosted with the Red Wings. The on-ice event brought together members of the inaugural Ram's Little Wings Learn to Play program, local families, Red Wings alumnus Jason Woolley and special guests from the community. Participants went through a clinic that introduced new players to the fundamentals of the game.

The Zamboni is funded through the NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund. The fund was created to support NHL and club business initiatives and projects that promote long-term fan development, increase participation at all levels of hockey with an emphasis on youth, and bring the game to communities across North America.

Rob Knesaurek, the NHL's senior vice-president of youth development and industry growth, framed it as a way to keep the rink running. "Cedar Rock Sportsplex has become an important gathering place for this community, and through this donation, we are proud to support the rink's ability to serve young players and families for years to come," he said.

Chris Campoli, the NHLPA's divisional player rep, called the rink "the kind of community rink where young players get a chance to fall in love with the game of hockey." He said the donation, made with the Red Wings, is meant to keep Cedar Rock thriving and serving the hockey community in Western Michigan.