Eight players currently on the Detroit and Columbus rosters played at Michigan, four on each team. The Red Wings have Compher, Larkin, Andrew Copp and Tyler Motte. The Blue Jackets have Adam Fantilli, Jack Johnson, Kent Johnson and Zach Werenski.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said he understood why he was called out by head coach Todd McLellan after Thursday's loss to Columbus.

J.T. Compher and Dylan Larkin sat in the stands when the Detroit Red Wings hosted the Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium on Jan. 1, 2014. Compher was 18, a freshman at the University of Michigan.