The Detroit Red Wings were quick to respond when the team realized that one of the white supremacist groups marching as part of the Unite The Right rally at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. was using the team’s logo as their symbol.
The Detroit Right Wings, a white nationalist group based in Michigan, carried placards and riot gear during the marches bearing the Red Wings logo. They didn’t even make any attempt to alter the logo whatsoever.
The Wings logo can clearly be seen in this video the group posted on YouTube.com:
The Wings issued a statement Saturday morning to denounce the group and to establish that they were taking legal action to ensure that their logo would no longer be associated with this group that is spreading the rhetoric of hate.
“The Detroit Red Wings vehemently disagree with and are not associated itn any way with the event taking place today in Charlottesville, Va.” the statement began. “The Red Wings believe that Hockey is for Everyone and we celebrate the great diversity of our fan base and our nation. We are exploring every possible legal action as it pertains to the misuse of our logo in this disturbing demonstration.”
The NHL also issued a statement regarding this use of one of its teams logos.
"We are obviously outraged by the irresponsible and improper use of our intellectual property as seen this weekend in Charlottesville, Va.," the NHL stated. "This specific use is directly contrary to the value of inclusiveness that our League prioritizes and champions. We will take immediate and all necessary steps to insure the use is discontinued as promptly as possible, and will vigorously pursue other remedies, as appropriate."
The Wings held several events last season in conjunction with the NHL and NHLPA Hockey Is For Everyone Month initiative.
In partnership with Warrior Hockey, the Wings presented hockey equipment to the Michigan Far Flyers, a team dedicated to the development and enjoyment of hockey for developmentally or physically challenged athletes. Youth and adult hockey players representing a variety of areas and communities, including ethnicity and gender equality, socio-economic status, LGBTQ and those with disabilities, served as honorary puck drop captains prior to the Red Wings Feb. 20, 2017 game against the Washington Capitals. Several of these groups were also invited to watch the team practice the next day.
The team also entered into a season-long partnership with the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE). In conjunction with the Detroit Red Wings School Assembly Program, teachers at each of the 115 elementary schools visited by members of the team receives a RISE Teacher Kit to help nearly 50,000 students explore the different cultural aspects of each country from which Red Wings players hail.
Center Frans Nielsen, who is from Denmark, served as the team’s ambassador during these festivities.
“Hockey is an international sport that is truly for everyone,” Nielsen said at the time. “We’re banding together to create an atmosphere of inclusion on the ice, in the dressing room and in the stands throughout the NHL.”
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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