PUBLISHER ’ S PLAYBOOK
We ’ re excited to bring you this issue ’ s cover story featuring Kris Draper , who is considered one of the greatest “ finds ” in NHL history . He played 17 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings and helped them win the Stanley Cup four times from 1997- 2008 . Kris is now an avid pickleball player , and rumor has it , we ’ ll be seeing him in the 5.0 tournament circuit soon .
His style of play is a bit like his time on the ice . “ But ,” he says , “ I can only move around so far on the court — and crashing into the net is a nono because I have to keep remembering to stay out of the kitchen when I ’ m not allowed in there .”
Kris definitely sees some similarities between the two sports . “ Playing in the NHL requires great hand-eye coordination and I think that is a skill that has enabled me to play fairly well early on with my pickleball game ,” he explains .
He is looking forward to trying his skills at a tournament soon : “ I so look forward to that challenge . I enjoy working on areas of my game that I feel I need to get better at , and I also enjoy watching the top players in the world .”
Special thanks to Kris for his time and for lending us his backyard for the cover shoot . Thanks also to Made in Detroit Creative Marketing Director Jason Parr as well as photographer John Brady .
As 2021 comes to a close , we want to thank our partner , USA Pickleball , as well as our dedicated columnists , contributing writers and photographers . We also want to thank our advertisers ; many have been with us since the beginning .
The staff at Pickleball Magazine wishes you and yours a wonderful holiday season and happy , healthy New Year !
PUBLISHER Wayne Dollard
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
ART DIRECTOR Michael Miller
SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Laura Gainor
Wayne Dollard Publisher
Jack Bandel Jerry Brinegar Rick Cipes Joe Dinoffer Morgan Evans Laura Gainor Brandi Givens Alex Hamner Kevin Hillstrom Collin Johns Wayne Kerr Craig Laughlin Jennifer Lucore Karen Mitchell Javier Regalado Hope Tolley Alice Tym Bob Unetich Gary Voet Drew Wathey
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
John Brady Alice Tym Bruce Yeung
Dollard Publishing Co ., Inc . publishes six issues of Pickleball Magazine per year . Subscriptions are $ 24 per year .
Launched in 2016 , Pickleball Magazine is the official publication of USA Pickleball , the national governing body for the sport of pickleball in the U . S ., offering tournament coverage , expert instruction , rules , profiles of top pros , latest equipment and more !
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED . REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IS PROHIBITED . © 2021
Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it .