Red Wings Alumni challenge police in benefit hockey game

The Romulus Animal Shelter will benefit from a charity hockey game between the Detroit Red Wings Alumni and members of local police and fire officials at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at the Taylor Sportsplex, 13333 Telegraph Road.
Fans will meet some Red Wings alumni players and have a chance to get autographs during intermission. There will be 50/50 raffles and other activities.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Children ages 5 and under will be admitted free. Tickets are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Romulus Police Department, 11165 Olive Street, and tickets can be purchased online at www.facebook.com/RomulusPD. (Click “Events” and then “Get Tickets, which will direct you to the Event rite page.)
The Romulus Animal Shelter, located at 12300 Wayne Road, also serves the communities of Garden City, Inkster and Van Buren Township. The shelter relies on fundraisers, donations and volunteers.
Playing for the “Romulus Police” team will be public safety representatives from Romulus, Garden City, Inkster, Van Buren Township, Taylor and MSP.
The roster includes Chris Kososki, Eric Harris, Keith Haynes, Kevin Ladach, Andrew Carriger and Darryl Nippes of the Romulus Police Department; Matt Raschke of the Van Buren Police Department; Alex Dzagulones, John Tibaudo, Chad Lindstrom and Dan Powers of the Michigan State Police; Jake Fedel of the Inkster Fire Department; Tom Windel of the Garden City Fire Department; and Russ McNamee of the Taylor Fire Department.
The game has been organized by Romulus police Corporal Kososki, Ordinance Director Bonnie Freeman and Recreation Director Tanya Cofield.
“There are a lot of organizations that play the Red Wings Alumni for various reasons,” said Cpl. Kososki. “We thought it would be great to raise funds for our Animal Shelter and invite police and firefighters from all of the communities served by the shelter. There are a lot of people in Van Buren, Garden City and Inkster that don’t know the Romulus shelter serves them. This is a chance for everyone to show their support and have a fun afternoon.”
Kososki said the Animal Shelter does so much for the animals and community.
“Not only do they take sick and injured dogs and other animals off the street, but they provide a lot of adoptions,” he said. “It’s a great way to give dogs and cats a second chance.”
Kososki said he adopted two stray dogs during his 12 years with the Inkster Police Department. He is going on six years with Romulus.
Kososki said the playing level of the public safety team ranges from novice to experienced, including a former college and USA select player. Kososki himself is currently in two hockey leagues, including a public safety league he started out of Brownstown. His son is a travel hockey player and his daughter is a figure skater.
“We’re out for camaraderie, laughs and exercise,” he said. “Ultimately, we’ll be out to support the animal shelter and play hockey.”
Kososki said everyone on the public safety team is looking forward to suiting up against the former professional hockey players that will make up the Red Wings team. The roster will be determined prior to game time.
“Everyone involved with this is loving it,” said Romulus Ordinance Officer Freeman. “In addition to raising money to support the Animal Shelter, it gives the city a chance to network with departments from other communities. We’re hoping we can do it annually.”
For more information, call Cpl. Kososki at (734) 955-8816 or Director Freeman at (734) 955-8810 or search for “Puck for Pets” on Facebook.