WMSC 16TH ANNUAL LUNCHEON FEATURES DETROIT RED WINGS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER, STEVE YZERMAN
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 5, 2023 – Steve Yzerman, the Executive Vice President & General Manager for the NHL Detroit Red Wings team, will be the featured speaker at the 16th Annual West Michigan Sports Commission Luncheon on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 12 p.m. (noon). The luncheon will be held in the International Ballroom of the JW Marriott Hotel, 235 Louis Campau Promenade NW.
Yzerman, currently in his fourth season overseeing the team, has spent 27 years with the Detroit Red Wings organization. From 1983-2006 he was a player and helped secure the Stanley Cup for Motor City in 1997, 1998 and 2002. He spent four additional years with the Red Wings as part of the management team where they won the Stanley Cup in 2008, before moving to Tampa Bay to fill the role of the General Manager for the Lightning. During his time with the Lightning no team won more games (300) or scored more goals (1,554) from 2014-2019 and in 2015 Yzerman won NHL General Manager of the Year.
Outside of the NHL, Yzerman served as General Manager for Team Canada for the IIHF World Championship in 2007 (gold) and 2008 (silver). He also participated on Team Canada as their Executive Director for the Winter Olympics in 2010 and 2014 where he helped them secure back-to-back gold medals.
This will mark the second time the West Michigan Sports Commission’s Annual Luncheon has featured a Detroit Red Wings speaker. In 2009 Ken Holland, current General Manager of the Red Wings at the time spoke on their behalf. "We are excited this year to have Steve Yzerman as our guest speaker. Yzerman has become synonymous with hockey, especially in Michigan with his many successes as a player for the Detroit Red Wings in addition to his success in team management. I am thankful to our AHL affiliate to the Red Wings, our hometown Grand Rapids Griffins, for their help in securing Steve Yzerman. It is certain to be another great luncheon for the sports commission.” stated WMSC President Mike Guswiler
As with past years, this luncheon serves as a fundraiser as well as a progress report to our stakeholders on the success of the organization, promoting and hosting youth and amateur sporting events in the region for economic enhancement, healthy living and creating a vibrant community through sport.
The luncheon currently has sponsorship levels that allow attendees to personally meet Steve Yzerman. Reservations and interest in sponsorship levels can be made by contacting Katy Tigchelaar at (616) 608-1838 or ktigchelaar@westmisports.com. A table of eight starts at $850, and single tickets are $125 per person. Luncheon information is also available online at https://www.westmisports.com/annual-luncheon.
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About the West Michigan Sports Commission
The West Michigan Sports Commission, a non-profit 501 (c) (3), works to identify, secure and host a diverse level of youth and amateur sporting events to make a positive impact on the economy and quality of life in the region.
