BY SHANNON SHELTON FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER EAST LANSING — A little more than a year ago, home ice for Justin Abdelkader was Munn
Ice Arena on the Michigan State campus. In April 2008, the Red Wings called him up, and Abdelkader became a part of a Stanley Cup champion squad weeks later. On Wednesday, Abdelkader reflected on his quick transition from college to pro hockey when he returned to campus to participate in “Skate With the Pros,” a charity event that’s part of the MSU hockey team’s ongoing “Shoot for a Cure” initiative. “It’s definitely an adjustment, coming from college to the pro ranks,” Abdelkader said. “It’s a lot different playing 80 games and all the travel that comes with it. The road trips are obviously tough. It’s an adjustment, but it’s a fun adjustment because you’re playing a sport as your job and career. I’ve been really fortunate to be able to do that.” Fans paid $10 to skate with Abdelkader and other former Spartans playing in the NHL, like Anaheim’s Drew Miller, and there was an autograph session after the skate. Proceeds went to the Brandon’s Defense Foundation, a charity started in honor of Brandon Gordon of DeWitt, a youth hockey player. Gordon died in February after a two-year bout with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer. While Miller was at MSU, he started “Spartan Buddies,” which involved athlete visits to children’s hospitals. Abdelkader then started “Shoot for a Cure” to expand the hockey team’s charity outreach.
“It’s two different programs in one,” Miller said. “It gives us an opportunity to give money to find a cure for cancer and for the children’s hospital.”