Bryan Rufenach Day plus interviews from Centre Ice Arena

Trevor Parkes tries to dunk Mitch Callahan in the dunk tank. Photo: Nick Barnowski

It's been a phenomenal day in Traverse City, weather and hockey wise, and the Red Wings organization held a touching tribute to late prospect Bryan Rufenach in parts of the Centre Ice Arena parking lot. In addition to a large raffle with proceeds going towards the Bryan Rufenach Memorial Skills Camp.

A number of people entered the dunk tank that was on-hand, including Mitch Callahan, who of course was hilarious throughout his time in the freezing cold water.

As I'm here reporting for MiHockeyNow.com I was able to talk with a few of the higher profile members of the Wings brass, including Chris Chelios.



Chelios tried his hand at dunking someone in the dunk tank, and while it took him a couple of throws, he was displaying some pretty nice accuracy.

I talked to Jiri Fischer next, who is perhaps one of the more thoughtful people I've ever spoken with. In this one Fischer talks about losing Louis-Marc Aubry to injury and what coaches like him look for out of the prospects in this week long camp.



And finally, and thankfully, I talked with Griffins strength and conditioning coach Aaron Downey, who is a blast to talk to, as he described the workout routines he has been creating for the prospects to run through again, and again, and again...



I didn't have that much time with each of them, and again I still feel as if my questioning has to improve A LOT, but I'm as thankful as ever that I've been given the opportunity to be up here this week.

I'm sitting in the Centre Ice concourse waiting for the scrimmage to start, and I'll have coverage up on MiHockeyNow tonight or tomorrow.