Luke Glendening plays in fifth outdoor game at 2014 NHL Winter Classic

 

By Stefan Kubus –

Since the game has moved indoors, nobody has played outdoors more than Luke Glendening.

When the Red Wings took their practice outdoors at Comerica Park on Dec. 18, the recently called-up Glendening, a native of Grand Rapids, said he saw it as “an opportunity to make a name” for himself.

Without a doubt, he’s made that name for himself. Maybe not in the households of NHL fans just yet, but certainly amongst the Red Wings’ coaching staff – even before the regular season began. And those fans certainly better get used to hearing his name, according to Detroit head coach Mike Babcock.

“He’s a good player,” Babcock said after a Sept. 27 preseason win against Toronto. “He’s smart, he’s another guy like (Joakim Andersson); you trust him, you don’t worry about him. I had him out there every penalty kill right off the get-go. He’ll play for the Red Wings. He’s smart enough and competitive enough and knows how to play good enough. He’ll find a way to play in the NHL.”

Before playing in Monday evening’s outdoor game for Grand Rapids, Glendening played in three other outdoor games – at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisc. (2010); at Michigan Stadium for ‘The Big Chill’ (2010); at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio (2012) – all with the University of Michigan.

In that game, Glendening scored twice, despite the Griffins’ 4-3 loss in a shootout.

“Some people don’t get to play in one, so to be able to play in three already and have the opportunity for one more is pretty special.”

Little did he know that he would be playing in a fifth just two days later.

Driving home with his mother from his game with Grand Rapids at Comerica Park Monday night, Glendening received a call from Griffins head coach Jeff Blashill. His coach told him to report to The Big House for practice Tuesday morning.

 

“I knew I was probably going to be sent down around that time, but just to be so close and to get sent down obviously I was like, ‘Oh man, that would’ve been fun to play in,'” Glendening said. “But obviously it’s a business and I understand that and obviously I wasn’t upset at them. It’s just circumstance, but to get the call on the way home and to know I was coming back, I would’ve made that trip 100 times over just to be at that game.”

After his team’s afternoon practice at The Big House on New Year’s Eve, Babcock said the decision to call him up ultimately came down to needing another center for the Winter Classic game, as he rolled with only three against Nashville on Dec. 30, though the initial reason for him being sent down was to ensure he played in an outdoor game.

“The reason Glenny went back and didn’t play the other night was I wanted Glenny to get in a Winter Classic game. They had a Winter Classic game in the American League, and I thought I wasn’t sure he was going to be able to play in this game for us.

“Last night’s game I just played three centers. But Glendening had a real good game last time. He played Toronto (Marlies) as a heavy guy. He knows how to play. He’s a Michigan alum. He scored two last night. I mean, none of that went into it, to tell you the truth, but he’s a good player. We like him. He plays hard and he knows how to play. ”

And not only did he play, but he started the game in front of a record crowd of 105,491 and won the opening face-off in a building he’s certainly familiar with.

 

“I had no idea that was going to happen,” Glendening said of starting the game. “I don’t know if coach Babcock was just being nice to me or what but it was a special moment for me just to be able to be out there in the starting lineup.”

When asked where it ranked among his five outdoor experiences, Glendening said he could easily pencil in the Winter Classic as No. 1.

“It was very special to be able to be back there. It definitely felt different than playing in the Big Chill. It was an awesome crowd again and it was such a great event and I think that’s what made it so different. To see all the stuff going around town and having played at Comerica and seeing the alumni games, just the whole thing made it feel different, but it was special.”

The undrafted, walk-on-turned-captain at the University of Michigan played under Red Berenson from 2008-2012 where the legendary head coach helped him hone his game as a two-way forward.

Following his own outdoor Alumni Showdown game on New Year’s Eve, the 74-year-old Berenson found out his former captain had been called up to Detroit a day after playing in the AHL outdoor game.

“That’ll be his fifth outdoor game,” Berenson said with admiration. “He played a game in Wisconsin, he played in The Big Chill, he played in Cleveland, he played last night and he’s going to play tomorrow? Good for him, good for him. Luke is a tremendous kid. He’s one of those kids they’re bringing back up and down. I think he’s played 16 games for the Wings, but he’s a role player, he knows his role, he’s excited to be there, so I’m excited for him.”

Berenson said Glendening just continues to serve as a symbol of just how far hard work can take you, especially for young kids.

“The thing about Luke Glendening is that he came to Michigan as walk-on, a recruited walk-on with no promise that he’d ever play; he just wanted a chance with the team. Obviously, he hadn’t been drafted, he hadn’t been highly recruited. He was kind of a football-hockey player. He came here and he made a mark every day in practice. He ended up being our captain his junior and senior years, never led our team in scoring, but he was our leader on and off the ice. Now, he’s showing that he can play pro hockey and now he’s in the NHL, so who would’ve thought?

“He’s a good example for young kids who aren’t getting all the attention and maybe aren’t draft-able and aren’t this or aren’t that, but they really want a chance. You work hard like Luke Glendening and you’ll get a chance.”