Darby Wright, the goalie for Bourdow's Hockey Shop in Saginaw, makes a save on former Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios during the inaugural Grind Line Challenge at Joe Louis Arena. (Photo by Dan Mannes/Detroit Red Wings)

DETROIT – Darby Wright was still breathing heavy as he sat in the Red Wings’ locker room following a spirited 4-on-4 pick-up game against a small army of former pros. But through the goalie’s graying beard was the hint of a youthful smile that said he was glad to have experienced the challenge as one of the average Joes.

Wright and his Bourdow’s Hockey Shop teammates from Saginaw, Mich., visited Joe Louis Arena this week to take on some former Red Wings in the inaugural Grind Line Challenge. Despite losing, 20-9, to their hockey idols, Wright was still thrilled to have been a part of it.

Through his elevated heart rate, Wright was kind enough to answer a few questions about facing slap shots from Kris Draper, Chris Chelios, Larry Murphy, Dino Ciccarelli, Kirk Maltby, Darren McCarty and Joey Kocur.

QUESTION: What was it like to play against the Grind Line?

WRIGHT: “It was such a great time. It was just so awesome.”

Q. Were you a big fan of the Wings when all these guys were playing?

Wright: “Oh yeah. I grew up watching (John) Ogrodnick, (Petr) Klima, all those guys, and then obviously I loved watching these guys during the glory years.”

Q. So does this bring back any memories of those glory years for you?

Wright: “Oh sure. Just to be out there on the ice, this was the first time I’ve ever been on the ice at The Joe and it’s huge. It’s not like the rink we come from.”

Q. Who did you enjoy playing against most?

Wright: “Being a goalie, I’m a Chris Osgood fan and he’s a great guy.”

Q. Who was the toughest guy to stop?

Wright: “Gotta be Draper. He shoots the biscuit.”

Q. As fans of the Wings, what does it mean to you guys to come out and play here?

Wright: “We’ve been playing together for about 20 years and this was just a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We’ve been geeked up for it for about two months so it’s been a lot of fun.”

Q. Did any of you guys ever play minor league hockey or pro anywhere?

Wright: “Bill Miller played in the ECHL, and we had one guy play in the USHL, but most of the guys played college hockey.”

Q. How about you? Did you play anywhere?

Wright: “Nope, just a little junior hockey that’s about it.”

Q. Looks like they worked you pretty good out there, huh?

Wright: “Oh yeah, I probably won’t be able to walk for a month.”

Q. But you had fun, right?

Wright: “Oh yeah. It was a great time, like I said it was just a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”