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Alumni News
From Mites to the Majors Danny DeKeyser, ‘08 Detroit Red Wings Defenseman
He was a Mini-Mite, playing hockey at the St. Clair Shores Civic Arena. He missed lots of Thanksgivings, and headed for tournaments the day after Christmas for years. He went on to play junior hockey, and then college hockey at Western Michigan University, wearing #5, the same number as retired Detroit Red Wings’ defenseman Nick Lidstrom. And now, he’s a Detroit Red Wing, playing on the very ice at Joe Louis Arena where he watched numerous games from the stands, and realizing his dream of playing professional hockey. Danny DeKeyser, ‘08, grew up as the youngest of seven children, and attended St. Mary’s in Mt. Clemens before his four years at De La Salle. Through his senior year, he carried the cross at Sunday masses at St. Peter’s, also in Mt. Clemens.
And played some hockey. And had part-time jobs waiting tables at the Beach Grill in St. Clair Shores and later bartending at the Tin Fish in Algonac. During his senior year, Danny played for the Detroit Compuware team, followed by a two-year stint in junior hockey, with stops in British Columbia and Sioux City, Iowa. Then, it was on to college hockey, at Western Michigan University, where he earned CCHA honors each year, including First Team for the 2012-13 season, and Best Defensive Defenseman in consecutive years. “It was a little weird, being two years older than the other freshmen, but a lot of players do that.” The 6’3”, 198 lb. defenseman, who shoots left, was pursued by multiple teams around the NHL, but decided continuing to play college hockey for the Broncos, improving his skills, and working on his degree, was the better course. “I didn’t want to lose a year of college playing in the minors. I loved college, and didn’t want to leave. I talked to my parents about it and they were supportive of me no matter what I decided. I knew that once I left I wouldn’t be going back.” After the college hockey season ended in the Spring of 2013, Danny played briefly for the Grand Rapids Griffins, before signing a two-year contract with the Red Wings in late March 2013. He played in 11 Wings’ games at the end of their season.
“You kind of pinch yourself. You’re playing pro hockey. Especially at the start, I didn’t know what to expect. I’m settled in now, but at the start of the season I was nervous. I grew up admiring Federov. Yzerman. Lidstrom. And now here I am playing for the Wings.” Danny returned to Kalamazoo in the Photo by Dave Reginek, Team Photographer, Detroit Red Wings
summer of 2013, and his Western Michigan University apartment, to continue his college classes. He is a Communications Major at WMU, with 34 credits to go. Now on the second line for the Wings, Danny says he is mentored by captain Henrik Zetterberg, and first line defensemen Niklas Kronwall and Jonathan Ericsson.
“They’re veterans. They know the ropes. They’ve been through everything. Most of them speak pretty good English.” He says the coaches on the bench say something when they need to. “We watch video a couple of times a week.” A sportswriter for bleacherreport.com wrote a November 2013 article, “Why Detroit Red Wings’ Danny DeKeyser Could be the Next Nicklas Lidstrom.”
Danny says, “That’s very flattering, but I would have to talk to the author and see what he was thinking. Lidstrom was a once-in-a-generation talent. A seven-time Norris Trophy Winner. Probably one of the top two defensemen of all time. But it’s a great compliment, and I’ll take it.”
Alumni News
Of the NHL players he’s encountered, Danny cites Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) as one of the toughest to defend. “He can shoot so hard. So can Joe Thornton with the (San Jose) Sharks. There are a lot of really good players in the league. Guys on the third line that are hard to play against, not just the guys you hear about on SportsCenter.” But, Danny adds, “You have to remember this is a guy in a uniform. You just go out there and play.” Now, as a professional, he has few chances to watch hockey on TV, or play golf, one of his passions. “We fly in, have dinner, sleep, and the next day have a full schedule. There’s not much time to relax. When we’re in town, I am usually down at the Joe skating, or may be skating at St. Clair Shores or Hazel Park.”
His parents attend every home game, as do many of his brothers and sisters. “Some of them are married now, and
they have kids. I’m going to have to up my ticket request for next year.” Danny says they can definitely hear the crowd, the “Seventh Man.” “Some nights are louder than others. It’s a lot of fun when the crowd gets into it.”
He has yet to commemorate his first goal, scored November 4, 2013, by mounting the puck. “I’ve got it in a drawer. I’ll get it on a plaque once the season is over.”
Danny enjoyed the January 1 game vs. Toronto at “The Big House” in Ann Arbor. “The whole game, they kept shoveling. The game changed a little bit. The puck wasn’t sliding. There was more passing.” Danny loved watching the Winter Olympics, particularly hockey, but doesn’t know if he will ever be able to fulfill his goal of playing for Team USA if the rules change and professional players are excluded. “You’re seeing the country’s best players. It’s good hockey.” He is looking forward to some down time after the season, riding Waverunners and Skidoos on Lake St. Clair.
Danny maintains a Twitter account, but closed down his Facebook page. “I was getting 30-40 messages a day, hundreds of friend requests. It was getting to be too much.” He recently returned to Western Michigan University for a charity event for a particular form of muscular dystrophy that has no cure. He wears a wristband that says “No Bad Days,” dedicated to raising awareness of the disease.
Danny credits the De La Salle faculty for teaching good morals. “The motto of the school, ‘Builders of Boys, Makers of Men,’ means that they are going to send you out into the world, ready to go.”
Alumni News
The Class of 2003 Wins Alumni Basketball Tournament L. to R. Back Row; Jason Blickensdort, Mike Gulewicz, Pat Kenny, Dennis Czuchaj, Joe Novak, Joe Konrad Front Row; Jeff Marchese, Brad Sabo, Adam Wiegand, Joe Colagiovanni.
Br. Ken Kalinowski (‘84) teaches at La Salle Academy (NYC). Br. Ken spent a portion of his winter break in mid-February at DLS, speaking about his summer experience teaching in a Lasallian school in Papua, New Guinea. Vince Caporuscio, Paul Wilk, Matt Wyszczelski, and Alex Avila.
Alex Avila Visits DLS Alumni
Jake Theut, ‘11, will be playing Division 1 Hockey at Northeastern University in Boston. The State of Michigan High School Dream Team Goalie his senior year, Jake has been playing junior hockey, most recently with the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs. Alex Jaeckel, ‘12, a three-year hockey player at DLS, has committed to play Division 1 hockey at the United States Air Force Academy. Alex has been playing junior hockey in the NAHL for the Johnston (PA) Tomahawks. DLS Alumnus Paul Wilk (‘85), Chief of the Hamtramck Fire Department, welcomed one-time DLS student and current Detroit Tiger Alex Avila as the HFD celebrated its 100th anniversary in late January. Alex was part of the Tiger Caravan, making stops at various Metro-area locations.
Several other DLS Alumni are also members of the HFD: Firefighter Vince Caporuscio (‘04), Lieutenant
More DLS Alums Playing Hockey
Matt Wyszczelski (‘90), and Captain Bill Diamond (‘90).
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Alumni News
The Class of 1973 gathered for its 40th reunion during October 2013 at the Polish Century Club.
The Class of 1958 gathered recently for its monthly luncheon at the Polish Century Club.
Tony Catullo, Class of 1959, and his wife Philomena celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on January 25, 2014. Tony and Philomena are surrounded by their 4 children and their spouses, and 7 grandchildren.
Above Left; Joe Moffat shows off pictures on his IPAD to fellow ‘49 classmate Lee Andary at the 2013 Senior Alumni Christmas Luncheon. Above Right; Clark Stevens, Tom Sullivan, Doug Wing, and Dick Wasko from the DLS Class of ‘51.
Alumni News
Edmund Milke, ‘34, our oldest living alumnus, is pleased his great-grandson Zachary Milke will be starting DLS as a freshman in the Fall of 2014, as a member of the Class of 2018.
Jim Plutschuck, ‘53, was inducted into the Macomb County Coaches Hall of Fame in May 2013. Jim was the head basketball and baseball coach at Sacred Heart Roseville from 1961 - 1965, and then spent the next 21 years as the head varsity boys’ basketball coach at Utica High School, where he won 6 league championships and one district title. He also served as the head cross-country coach at Utica. For the past 18 years, Jim has worked at the MSU Summer Basketball Camp with Head Coach Tom Izzo. Jim has also worked camps at Northwestern, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio State.
Paul Giurlanda, ‘64, was recently honored for 35 years of service as a Professor of Religious Studies at St. Mary’s College of California. His memoir, Vistas, has just been published, and is available on Amazon. Paul sends prayers and good wishes to all the “hydrophobians” in Br. Pat’s frosh Latin class. Don Sitarski, ‘65, has decided to retire from his purchasing job at Ford Motor Co. at the end of the year. Don has been with Ford for over 40 years. Peter Lucido, ‘78, has practiced law for over 25 years and is the Founder and Publisher of Macomb Now Magazine, which is Macomb County’s exclusive lifestyle magazine. He has decided to run for the Michigan State House of Representatives for the 36th District, representing the Townships of Shelby, Washington, and Bruce, and the Village of Romeo. Pete, a fellow Pilot, is preparing for the primary election on Tuesday, August 5, 2014. Bill Sheridan, ‘77, has joined the Detroit Lions as the linebackers coach. Bill was most recently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mike Davis, ‘93 and his family recently moved to Troy. Mike is working as an Agile Project Manager at Comerica Bank in Auburn Hills. Mike and his wife Laura recently welcomed their fourth child.
Steve Laudacina, ‘10, who is playing college baseball at Western Michigan University, was recently named the MAC Pitcher of the Week.
Eric Ratkowski,‘10, has received a full scholarship for the Law School at Wayne State University. His undergraduate degree is in Journalism from Oakland University. Alexander Tu, ‘11, was named to Albion College’s Dean’s List for the Fall 2013 semester. Students named to the List must achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Alexander is majoring in biology and biochemistry and is a member of the Prentiss M. Brown Honors Program. Connar Tava, ‘12, and the Western Michigan University Broncos were the MAC Champions and appeared in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Men’s Division 1 Basketball Tournament against Syracuse. The three-year DLS Varsity starter had a “circus shot” against Toledo in the MAC Championship game that was featured on the SportsCenter Top Ten plays of the week on March 15. Connar averaged 12 points and nearly six rebounds per game in his sophomore season.
Join us for De La Salle Family Night as the Detroit Tigers play the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, July 30, at 7:05 p.m., at Comerica Park. DLS Students, families, and friends are welcome. This event is sponsored by the DLS Dads’ Club. Tickets are $30. per person, which includes: Upper baseline box (section 336) Roundtrip transportation from DLS via bus (depart at 5:45 p.m.) For tickets, contact Mike Schefke at 586.596.9663 or email mschefke@hotmail.com
