Spartan Hockey Invites Fans to Team Meet-and-Greet at Suburban Ice Macomb

Can't make it to East Lansing to see the Spartan icers in action? No matter, the team is bringing its green and white to Suburban Ice Macomb next week for a special meet-and-greet with area fans.

The Michigan State hockey team will an open practice and autograph session from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 28 at the Macomb Township ice arena. The event is free and fans will be given posters of the team to use during the autograph portion.

The Spartans will take the ice at 2 p.m. and hold a one-hour practice, after which fans will be welcomed into the rink to meet the players and coaches.

"We're excited to be able to do this again - we have lots of our local fans who get to take advantage of things like this at Munn Ice Arena. I'm really excited to bring this to another area of the state, and give our fans an opportunity to interact with our players and coaches," said head coach Tom Anastos, on the MSU Sports website.

As the ice won't be resurfaced until after the event, fans should be able to wear street shoes during the event. No fans in skates will be allowed on the ice.

"We did this in October in Cheboygan, and had a fantastic turnout," Anastos said on the MSU Sports website. "The people in our program got to meet some really great, wonderful, supportive fans, and our players had a blast. I'm really looking forward to doing this in the metro Detroit area - we have had wonderful fan support when we play at Joe Louis Arena, and it will be nice to connect with those who support us."

There is no entry fee for the event or charge for posters.

The Spartans are scheduled to begin play Dec. 29 at the Great Lakes Invitational, and will take on Western Michigan at 3:35 p.m. in Saturday's semifinals.