DETROIT – Frozen Fish Fiasco returns to Clark Park for its 17th year, bringing more than just hockey and fun to Detroit.
Players are hitting the ice for a good cause, drawing crowds from across the area to watch the outdoor games.
“There’s just something magical about seeing the game played on ice outside, instead of being locked up in a barn,” said Stefan Morton, whose brother plays hockey.
That magic is exactly what the event aims to preserve.
“I grew up playing hockey outdoors and I wanted people to have the experience in Michigan because this is hockey town,” said Dominic Riggio, president of Frozen Fish Fiasco.
Riggio is delivering on that promise with two full days of hockey games, featuring players from peewee kids to Red Wings alumni.
“Red Berenson. 85 years old playing today,” Riggio noted.
All the money raised goes directly to the Clark Park Coalition, a local nonprofit that partners with the city to maintain the park and keep the ice rink open for years to come.
“Hockey is awesome. I started playing myself a few years ago and it requires so much skill and effort, so to be able to have that charitable donation and get more kids involved in the sport and have an awesome event today, this whole weekend going on is very powerful,” said Brielle Vanwell, cheering on her fiancé.
Even after nearly two decades, Riggio remains amazed by the support.
“This is something I’ve been doing for close to two decades and it’s a warm, fuzzy feeling in my heart to have people really enjoy this and want to be a part of it,” he said.
Tickets are $8, with the first game on Sunday starting at 10 a.m. at Clark Park.