Brendan Shanahan to play in alumni game at Coors Field

Detroit-Red-Wings-Brendan-Shanahan-celebrates-his-first-of-two-third-period-goals-in-game-5-of-the-Western-Conference-semifinals-in-Detroit,-Saturday,-May-11,-2002.-The-Red-Wings-beat-the-Blues-4-0-to-advance-to-the-Western-Conference-finals.-(AP-Photo/Paul-Sancya)

Detroit Red Wings Brendan Shanahan celebrates his first of two third period goals in game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals in Detroit, Saturday, May 11, 2002. The Red Wings beat the Blues 4-0 to advance to the Western Conference finals. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

TORONTO – Brendan Shanahan has committed to playing in this Friday’s Detroit-Colorado alumni game at Coors Field, Sportsnet has learned.

The Maple Leafs president had some reservations about travelling to the NHL’s Stadium Series event with the Feb. 29 trade deadline approaching, but was urged by GM Lou Lamoriello and head coach Mike Babcock not to pass up the opportunity.

He is the 10th Hockey Hall of Famer to commit to the event, joining former teammates Steve Yzerman, Igor Larionov, Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Chelios on the Red Wings team. Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic, Rob Blake, Ray Bourque and Peter Forsberg are among those due to suit up for the Avalanche.

The alumni game will be played outdoors at the Colorado Rockies baseball stadium as a precursor to Saturday’s Stadium Series game.

Shanahan was a member of the Red Wings for nine seasons, winning the Stanley Cup three times and scoring at least 30 goals in seven of those years. He also played for New Jersey, St. Louis, Hartford and the New York Rangers.

The 47-year-old ended his playing career in 2009 and headed up the NHL’s department of player safety before coming to Toronto in April 2014. Recently he’s been seen taking part in afternoon shinny games at Air Canada Centre with members of the Leafs staff.

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