Maybe you don\u2019t know this, but the owner of the Red Wings is also the owner of the Detroit Tigers. Chris Ilitch has managed both the Tigers and Red Wings since the passing of his father, the beloved \u201cMr.I.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the younger Ilitch still hasn\u2019t found quite the same success as his forebear when it comes to either sporting venture, fans of both may have been able to see some parallels in the organizations, especially these last few years as behind the scenes more and more operations begin to fall under a general \u201cIlitch umbrella.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n One thing you may not realize, however, is that with Steve Yzerman stepping aside as general manager of the Red Wings, Ilitch has now started to establish a pattern with his roster managers. <\/p>\n Both Yzerman and former Tigers GM Al Avila were given seven years to turn their respective franchises around. <\/p>\n Both were \u201clegacy\u201d managers<\/a> known from their time spent working closely with the elder Ilitch.<\/p>\n And both also ultimately failed to achieve the goal of bringing their team out of a rebuild phase.<\/p>\n However, in that parallel there should also be a glimmer for hope. Some of Al Avila\u2019s draft picks (not all, but a couple, mind you) are major contributors to what is now a contending team. Led by an exciting rookie season from breakout star Kevin McGonigle<\/a>, the Tigers are looking to get back into the playoffs this year even with their struggles on the mound. <\/p>\n The key for the Tigers was turning the keys over to a young, outside mind in Scott Harris who modernized the Tigers front office and as President of Baseball Operations, got them back into the playoffs after a decade long drought.<\/p>\n Sound familiar?<\/p>\n Red Wings Extra<\/p>\n The Red Wings will have three of their prospects in Detroit later this week at the Belfor Training Center in preparation for the World Junior Summer Showcase for the IIHF. JP Hurlbert, Victor Plante, and Brent Solomon will be in attendance for Team USA. <\/p>\n Carter Bear did receive an invite for Team Canada but declined due to a conflicting schedule. Notably, the Red Wings do not have any Swedish <\/a>prospects going to the junior showcase.<\/p>\n In Case You Missed It<\/p>\n The Red Wings most recent first round pick has spent his summer in Michigan,<\/a> though it hasn\u2019t all been related to the team who drafted him Downtown.<\/p>\n Jakub Kindl <\/a>is considering hanging up the skates after winning a championship at the ripe age of 39.<\/p>\n Hockey Now Digest:<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dan Kingerski believes that a new GM in Detroit means a faster rebuild for Pittsburgh<\/a>.<\/p>\n Colorado Hockey Now: Chris MacFarland continues to add former Avs to the Nashville Predators<\/a>.<\/p>\n