Red Wings alumni charity hockey game a hit for Port Huron fans

PORT HURON — Any differences between rivals were left at the door, as the alumni teams of the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs played for something bigger than a box score.

"Hockey For The House" returned to McMorran Arena on Sunday, April 12, with an exhibition benefitting Ronald McDonald House Detroit.

While the Red Wings won, 7-4, the final score was merely a footnote to players and fans alike. Focus ultimately went to Ronald McDonald House families, especially those in attendance.

"It's the stories (of those people)," said Red Wings legend Darren McCarty, who played in the game. "It's the story of what the Ronald McDonald House does, the real-life (impact) and how it affects somebody in your community. Unfortunate things happen. But we can all come together."

It was extra special for Kelly Klemmer, the director of marketing and development for Ronald McDonald House Detroit, with Klemmer from St. Clair County.

"I saw a lot of families (out there today)," Klemmer said. "It's really neat to see the community come out and do something together to support such a good cause ... what's amazing about these events are the stories that people come and tell us."

Stories like the one of Eli Shier, a sophomore at Port Huron Northern High School, who was diagnosed with olfactory neuroblastoma (a rare cancerous tumor) in late 2024. Last summer, while receiving treatment, Shier and his mother, Amy Zimmer, spent six weeks living at the Detroit house.

On Sunday, a cancer-free Shier took part in a ceremonial puck drop between McCarty and Toronto captain Rick Vaive.

"It was great," said Shier, who plays hockey for Northern and watched the game with his teammates. "It was nice to have everybody there supporting me. For the Ronald McDonald House, to do all that, since we stayed there the whole summer — it was a great thing to do. I was happy."

Detroit Red Wings alumni forward Darren McCarty (left) shares a laugh with center Tim Taylor before "Hockey For The House" at McMorran Arena in Port Huron on Sunday, April 12.

"This is what it's all about," McCarty said. "Anytime you ever do a (ceremonial) puck drop, it has a bigger meaning than anything that's going to go on on the ice."

Off the ice, spectators from near and far filled McMorran Arena.

Take Rick Nienhuis, for example, who grew up on the Canadian side of the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, Ontario, but has called Toronto home for over 40 years.

He was standing against the glass next to his younger brother, Steve, who still resides in Point Edward. But while they share the same hometown, the siblings were sporting different team colors Sunday.

Rick proudly wore a custom Maple Leafs jersey with the No. 67. On the back, the nameplate read "NOT SINCE" — a reference to the franchise's most recent Stanley Cup championship in 1967.

"I moved to Toronto in 1982 for work," said Rick Nienhuis, who's followed the Leafs since the 1960s. "Of course, I like coming back to Point Edward. Living there through my whole young life, I spent a lot of time in Port Huron … I played hockey here in McMorran Arena back in the 70s."

Steve, meanwhile, was all decked out in Detroit gear.

"For (Rick) to come down here and be able to share this experience is absolutely unbelievable," Steve Nienhuis said. "Every time (the Red Wings alumni team is here), I love coming out to see them."

Rick Nienhuis (left) of Toronto, Ontario, and his brother, Steve, of Point Edward, Ontario, are seen during "Hockey For The House" at McMorran Arena in Port Huron on Sunday, April 12.

For Marysville resident Hunter Miller, having former NHL players at McMorran is extra special.

"I grew up playing hockey here," said Miller, who was joined by his father, Mike. "So, it's really nice to see the players that I watched growing up (now skating) in the same rink that I have so much personal history with."

The rink's history actually overlaps with the Red Wings' franchise. McMorran Arena was home to Detroit's farm team — the Port Huron Wings — from 1971 to 1974. It's a vital chapter in the city's hockey story, which McCarty commended.

"The history with Mike Emrick, with the Flags … Port Huron is such a hockey town," McCarty said. "I've always felt the love and appreciation of the fan base here."

The 54-year-old was last player be to introduced during Sunday's pregame ceremony Sunday. He received the loudest ovation. Long after the final horn sounded, he stood outside the Red Wings locker room to sign autographs and take pictures with fans.

"I love Port Huron," McCarty said. "I love the people here. It's salt of the earth. So, anytime you get to come out, they always give love back."

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @BrendenWelper.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: 'Hockey For The House' charity game a hit for Port Huron fans