--Stefan Liv, a once-promising goaltending prospect for the Wings, was among those who died in the Sept. 7 plane crash in Russia involving KHL club Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

Detroit selected Liv, born in Poland but trained in Sweden, in the fourth round of the 2000 entry draft. But he never played in the NHL. He went 15-15-2 for Grand Rapids (AHL) in 2006-07, his lone season in North America.

--Veteran center Ryan Johnson, 35, will attend Wings training camp on a tryout. He played 34 games for Chicago last season and has appeared in 701 NHL games over parts of 13 seasons with five teams. The odds are against him because the Wings have 14 forwards who are not exempt from waivers. But if Johnson can't take somebody's spot, he could be offered a two-way contract to play for in Grand Rapids (AHL). Johnson (6-foot-1, 199) is a fast skater and good forechecker. He is strong in the faceoff circle and blocks shots.

--The Wings signed a three-year deal with West-Michigan based Amway as the first presenting sponsor in the franchise's 86-year history. Amway's logo, which was placed on the team's practice jerseys and practice pucks last year, will be much more prevalent at Joe Louis Arena -- on the ice, on the scoreboards, on game tickets, and on a variety of advertising and marketing ventures. Wings officials called their partnership with the giant manufacturer of health, beauty and home-care products "a logical marriage."

QUOTE TO NOTE
"Everybody's in shock. It's a sad day for hockey. My thoughts and prayers go out to them. There were 45 people on board with families, so many people affected. (Brad McCrimmon) was a wonderful person. He treated people with class, treated the game with respect. (Ruslan Salei) was a tremendous person, really cared for his teammates. Loved to compete, played hard." -- Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, on the plane crash involving Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

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