Trenton High School Journalist to Grill Red Wings Head Coach

There are certain milestones in a journalist’s career, and interviewing a sports hero is almost always one of them.

journalist Dylan Bemis, 17, is set to interview five sports heroes in the same day: Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, head coach Mike Babcock, and current Red Wings players Dan Cleary, Todd Bertuzzi, and Valtteri Filppula.

Bemis, a senior, is participating in the Red Wings’ annual High School Journalist Day on Thursday in the Olympia Club at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Sixty students from around Michigan are set to gather at the Joe for two mock press conferences offering young journalists opportunities to question some of the biggest names in the National Hockey League.

Students are encouraged to write an article or create a broadcast news piece based on the event for their respective school newspapers.

Bemis writes for Trenton High School’s school newspaper, the Trenton Trumpet, and said an article about the event would be only the third article he has ever written.

Bemis’ article will be entered into a contest and the Wings’ public relations department will select the top three entries, according to a Red Wings release.

The grand-prize winner will get to spend a 2012-13 practice, lunch and home game with Kevin Allen, hockey reporter for USA Today. The second-place writer or broadcaster will win two tickets to a 2012-13 home game and the third-place winner will receive a puck or photo signed by his or her favorite player according to the same release.

Journalism teacher Lisa Asquini said Bemis had the most interest in the event and selected him to represent a city completely in love with all things hockey.

“I think it will be really good experience for me,” Bemis said. “I really like the (Detroit) Red Wings, so I’m excited about meeting the players.”

Bemis said he plans to major in business and minor in journalism at Oakland University in the fall.

He added becoming a full-time journalist might be his career of choice.

Bemis said he became interested in journalism this year and enjoyed the feedback he received from readers.

“I like hearing people's opinions about what I write and how they liked it,” Bemis said.

He added he hasn’t received any negative opinions about his writing yet.