[1] It was the first ever outdoor game played by the Detroit Red Wings and by any NHL team.
[4] The original planning for the game began in June 1953 when the general manager for the Red Wings, Jack Adams, visited the prison while doing a promotional tour for Stroh’s beer.
[5] There, the warden asked Adams if the Red Wings would come play the prison.
Some say that Adams also agreed as a favor to two inmates he knew, Harry Keywell and Ray Bernstein, who were both members of the notorious Purple Gang.
[8] The Pirates received equipment donations from the Michigan Tech Huskies and the Marquette Sentinels to start their hockey program.