Detroit Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde would certainly be classified as a student of the game. Now, he’s looking to give students with game a chance to further their athletic opportunities.
To that end, Lalonde is spearheading a scholarship fund. The Lalonde Family Initiative is set up as a vehicle to foster the tradition of scholastic athletics and service to community within the region of northern New York, known by the local community as ‘The North Country.’
It’s the area of the state where he grew up and where Lalonde’s children also got their education. Thus, he has established this scholarship fund to benefit students at St. Lawrence Central high school in Brasher Falls, New York, the school that his children and in total 10 family members attended.
“The Lalonde children were seen as leaders in scholastic athletics at St. Lawrence Central, and future generations of the Lalonde family have continued this tradition of athletic engagement and leadership,” Lalonde told NorthCountyNow.com.
One of the main objectives of the Lalonde Family Initiative is to encourage kids to participate in school sports. Beginning with the 2023-24 academic and athletic school year, a pair of $10,000 scholarships and one $20,000 scholarship will be awarded annually.
Congrats to NHL coach, Derek Lalonde, on the launch of the Lalonde Family Initiative!
https://t.co/rdJrT2bJV2
— NHL Coaches’ Association (@NHLCoachesAssoc) May 16, 2024
“The Lalonde Family believes sports create a connection between individuals, education and the community,” Lalonde said in a statement. “For students at St. Lawrence Central, there exists a unique connection between teacher, coach, student athlete and the community.
“This network of support for the student athlete creates a model for forming well-rounded adults that feel confident remaining engaged in community and service.”
The presenting of the inaugural Lalonde Family Initiative scholarships wasn’t the only key moment on the Lalonde famiy agenda in the past week. Derek’s son Luke Lalonde was a 16th-round selection, 237th overall, of the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL draft.
Our 16th round draft pick comes from the Motor City, help us welcome Luke Lalonde#SCMusketeers | #USHL | #SiouxCity pic.twitter.com/fWJ4BWI4up
— Sioux City Musketeers (@Musketeerhockey) May 7, 2024
The younger Lalonde, 16, spent the past season playing high school hockey for the Homestead Highlanders in Mequon, Wisconsin.
Derek Lalonde spent three seasons in the USHL coaching the Green Bay Gamblers. He would lead the club to the Clark Cup title in 2011-12.
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The New York Rangers have offered a PTO to two-time Stanley Cup champion Conor Sheary, who will reunite with his former coach, Mike Sullivan. Seasoned winger Conor Sheary wants to continue playing in the NHL and signed a professional tryout (PTO) with the New York Rangers, 'New York Post' hockey reporter Mollie Walker stated. Conor Sheary, 33, appeared in 593 games in his 10-year NHL career with 124 goals and 267 points to his credit. Sheary won two Stanley Cups under Mike Sullivan in Pittsburgh This member of the Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup-winning team might be all the more famous for his postseason games playing under Mike Sullivan, where he habitually looked up to playing with Sidney Crosby. Some of his more successful seasons were playing under Mike Sullivan, and with Sidney Crosby, so now that Sullivan is in New York, Sheary will want to look to a familiar face to assist him in retooling his and New York's game. He completed a disappointing year with Tampa Bay with 15 points in 57 games, the lowest since his rookie season in the league. He played only five games with Tampa Bay during the second half of the year and spent most of the year with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League, where he had 20 goals and 61 points in 59 games. The Rangers are in a rebuild, saying goodbye to veteran depth players like Chris Kreider and K'Andre Miller but opening up space for Taylor Raddysh and prospect Carey Terrance. While PTOs are far from having any guarantee that players will stick on the roster, Sheary's track record for scoring and familiarity with Sullivan make him a safe bet to be on the opening night roster.
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
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