Red Wings Visit Children's Hospital; Babcock Gives Tips On Proper Handshake
DETROIT (WWJ) - A lot of excitement at Children's Hospital Tuesday as some new but familiar faces wearing Red Wings jerseys dropped in.
Nine-year-old patient Martez Wittick has leukemia and will undergo a transplant next month. He told WWJ's Sandra McNeill that he was inspired by his talk with Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock.
"Because the words he gives people is encouraging," said Martez.
He says Babcock told him many things including 'how he wants me to get better.'"
Red Wings captain HenrikZetterberg says that the annual visit with the children is inspiring to the team as well.
"It's important for us to come here as well and just to see what they go through every day," said Zetterberg. "It's good to see the kids and their families. It really puts a smile on all faces."
Melissa Wade was there with her sons Gavin and Rowen:
"We just put a selfie on our Facebook page and their daddy is already at home -- jealous," she laughed.
Seven-year-old Rowen got a life-lesson from the Wings' coach.
"He told me how to really do a handshake -- look you in the eye and then shake your hand," said Rowen.
"I do whatever I can, we try to get them all straightened out," said Babcock.
"It's been awesome," said Red Wings center Riley Sheahan. "It's definitely eye-opening to be here and it's cool to see all the kids smiling, and it just reminds us to take nothing for granted because people in here are going through a lot tougher battles than we are."
Nearly the entire team and the coach was on hand for this year's event.