Fans line up outside Centre Ice Arena for Red Wings training camp tickets

By Nick Barnowski – 

TRAVERSE CITY – Perry and Jeanette Russnel parked their car, unloaded their folding chairs, and prepared to camp out.

The campsite wasn’t the woods, though – it was Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City.

The Russnels were the first of an estimated 200 people to congregate at the home of this weekend’s Detroit Red Wings development camp. Fans were waiting to secure tickets to September’s main training camp.

Those who waited in line had the first opportunity to snag passes to training camp, which will be held at Centre Ice Arena from Sept. 19-23.

“This is an easy way to see some of the players up close,” said Perry Russnel. “When you’re at the Joe, there’s some stuff you can’t really see.”

The Gaylord natives began waiting in line at 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning. They’ve attended training camp every year since 2000.

Shortly after followed Amanda Perry-Dollan, a die-hard Red Wings fan who got married last weekend. She said she tossed on a winged wheel sweater while still in her wedding dress.

“We’ve only missed a couple of training camps,” the Kingston (Upper Peninsula) native said. “We like having it here in Traverse City because it’s closer than Detroit.”

Tecumseh’s Michelle Crandall lined up with friends at noon on Sunday to get tickets to her third training camp.

“We really like to support the Red Wings,” she said. “We really like watching the prospects move up. I’m excited to see some of the new lines.”

Perhaps more important than the hockey is the relationships they’ve made while waiting in line. Perry Russnel said each year is like a family reunion.

“It’s fun,” he said. “We all try to hook up at the same time. It’s usually the same bunch every year.”

Those who could not attend Monday’s in-person ticket sale can submit a tax order form starting at 12 p.m. on Tuesday.