2010-11 Griffiti - Issue #2

2010-11 SEASON ISSUE #2

Limited sters of o P n o i t i Ed ndersson Joakim A nik a & Doug J Inside!

official magazine of the grand rapids griffins

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Vol. 15, No. 2

TA B L E

O F

C O N T E N T S

StARtING LINEUP

22

22 15-LOVE

Although he dons the same Griffins number once worn by his younger brother Valtteri, Ilari Filppula is ready to serve notice that he’s not following in anyone’s footsteps.

31 thE LUCKY ONE

Jamie Johnson feels fortunate to earn a living by playing a game that he loves.

41 PERFECt POSItIONING

Defenseman Logan Pyett hopes being in the right place at the right time will land him a chance to play in the NHL. 51 A WhALE OF A MOVE

31

The AHL’s Hartford-based franchise has adopted a new identity.

ON thE BENCh 2............Next Opponents 5............Chalk Talk 6............Coming Attractions 9............Griffins Schedule 12 .........AHL Team Directory 18 .........AHL Tradition 21 .........Detroit Red Wings 28 .........Promotional Calendar 36 .........Meet the Griffins

46 .........Get Connected!

48 .........Griffins Records 54 .........Community Crease 57 .........Penalty Calls 58 .........Griffins History 64 .........Arena Map/Ticket Info 68 .........It All Starts Here 71 .........Kids Page 72 .........Parting Shot

41

COVER: Griffins forward Ilari Filppula hopes to make a name for himself in North America after playing the past seven seasons in the Finnish Elite League.

Photo by Mark Newman Griffiti magazine is published four times a year by the Grand Rapids Griffins, Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

All contents ©2010 Grand Rapids Griffins. For advertising information, contact Griffins Sales & Marketing, (616) 774-4585; fax (616) 336-5464. Unsolicited manuscripts and other materials will not be returned.

51

NEXt hOME OPPONENtS

PLAYERS TO WATCH SAN ANtONIO (DEC. 4, DEC. 5) e rampage are excited to enlist the talents of highly touted Danish right winger MiKKEL BoEDKEr (#89). Selected eighth overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2008 nHL Entry Dra, Boedker has drawn comparisons to Henrik Zetterberg and Marian Gaborik. Boedker, who turns 21 on Dec. 16, is getting more aHL seasoning aer spending all of the 2008-09 campaign in the nHL. MILWAUKEE (DEC. 8) e admirals hope Swedish import LinuS KLaSEn (#86) can prove that he deserves a shot at the nHL. although small in stature (5-foot-8), the 24-year-old le winger plays with a confident, strident style honed by three years in the Swedish Elite League before signing with the nashville Predators last spring. Klasen tallied seven goals and three assists in his first seven games in the aHL.

tEXAS (DEC. 10, DEC. 12) e Stars are looking for center TraviS Morin (#23) to build on the progress he showed during his first full aHL season. e Brooklyn Park, Minn., product tallied 21 goals in 2009-10 aer a couple of seasons in the ECHL. Selected in the last round of the 2004 nHL Entry Dra by the Washington Capitals, Morin played college hockey at Minnesota State – Mankato.

2 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

hOUStON (DEC. 15) e aeros continue to polish the skills of MaxiM norEau (#26), whose 18 goals tied for the lead among aHL defensemen last season. Passed over in the 2007 nHL Entry Dra, the 23year-old Montreal native’s increasing point production led him to be named to the 2009-10 aHL Second all-Star Team. noreau made his nHL debut on april 8, 2010 with the Wild.

PEORIA (DEC. 17, JAN. 1) e rivermen have a high-end prospect in center BrETT SonnE (#12), the 2009 recipient of the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as the top player in the Western Hockey League. e 21year-old St. Louis Blues prospect skated in 77 games with Peoria during his rookie pro season, scoring 11 goals and 13 assists. He was a third-round pick (85th overall) in the 2007 nHL Entry Dra. tORONtO (DEC. 22, DEC. 31) e Marlies see big-time upside in defenseman JuraJ MiKuS (#26), an imposing 6-foot-4, 210-lb. player with all-around skills. a fih-round choice (134th overall) of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2007 nHL Entry Dra, the 22-year-old Slovakian blueliner shares the same name as Juraj Mikus, a center for riga Dynamo in the KHL who is nearly two years older.

LAKE ERIE (DEC. 26) e Monsters like the versatility of defenseman ray MaCiaS (#42), who has skated at the forward position as well as on the blue line. e 24-yearold native of Long Beach, Calif., was a fourth-round selection (124th overall) of the Colorado avalanche in the 2005 nHL Entry Dra. Macias was the top-scoring defenseman in the Western Hockey League for 2006-07.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 3

WITH GRIFFINS HEAD COACH CURT FRASER

ere’s an old saying that asserts “you play like you practice.”

Most coaches are convinced it’s true, and you certainly won’t get an argument from Griffins head coach Curt Fraser.

Last season, the Griffins struggled mightily for several weeks starting in December aer the schedule prevented the team from being able to hold even an occasional practice.

“We practiced only three times during that stretch and it really showed in our performance on the ice,” Fraser said. “not having quality practice time really affected our team in a negative way.” e schedule has been much kinder this season. “We’ve had a lot of time to practice this year, maybe even too much,” he said. “as a result, everybody has a good handle on what we want to get done on the ice and how we want to play.”

Like the red Wings, the Griffins prefer sessions that are very fast-paced. “our practices are high-tempo and very efficient,” Fraser said. “you like to create game-like situations, but that’s tough to do. So we practice quickly, which forces us to be sharp in every detail.” e breakneck pace turned hour-and-ahalf practices into 46-minute sessions just a month into the season. “We don’t like to be wasting time, so we get done what we need to do, and then get off the ice so everybody can hit the gym,” he said. “our players become very efficient in doing all these drills at a very fast pace.”

Whereas coaches frequently improvise during games, practices are planned out in strict detail so that there is structure. e

purpose of each session is clearly laid out before the players ever go on the ice.

“We work on skills every day,” Fraser said.

“Whether you’re 18 years old or 40 years old, you continue to try to improve. (Wayne) Gretzky said, ‘if i’m not working to get better, i’m getting worse,’ and that’s the truth.

“We work on things that are important to the success of our team. if we do a good job in practice, those things carry over into the games and you can really see the difference.

We repeat little things, so the players don’t have to think and everything just comes naturally on the ice.”

Fraser wants his players to learn the right things to do so that if they get called up by Detroit, they’re able to contribute to the success of the red Wings immediately.

“Part of practice is repetition, and by doing things over and over, things become instinctual,” he said. “if you can build good habits into your team’s play, all of a sudden you start to win hockey games.” instilling the right mentality through practice begins in the red Wings prospects camp during the summer and continues over the course of the season. “e goal is to be the best you can be at the end of the season when the playoffs start,” he said. one thing is for certain: Fraser has no interest in repeating what happened a year ago. “We learned a real good lesson last year,” he said. “We’re going to find places to practice, even when the schedule becomes very difficult for us. “you’re only going to be as good in the games as you are in practice, and we want to be in the position to win every night.”

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 5

IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME U-M and MSU-themed giveaway will highlight inaugural New Year’s Day Game e Griffins and the hockey teams from the university of Michigan and Michigan State university have a few things in common.

Take, for example, the nicknames of the Griffins and the MSu Spartans.

Griffins are mythological creatures that trace their history back to the Classical Greek period, when the beasts with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle appeared frequently in art of the time.

Spartans, meanwhile, represent a city-state in ancient Greece that was known for a rigorous military training and education regimen that was the admiration of the period. e university of Michigan, on the other hand, may not have a nickname that conjures the same historical perspective – Wolverines are hardly mythological creatures – but Greek life is a big part of the social scene on the ann arbor campus, with more than 60 fraternities and sororities. of course, the two universities have something else in common. over the years, the Spartans and Wolverines have sent rather large contingents of hockey players to Grand rapids. in fact, no other schools have provided more players to the Griffins than Michigan State’s 15 and Michigan’s eight.

From MSu, all three of the Miller brothers – Kelly, Kevin and Kip – played in van andel arena, as well as Bryan adams, Chad alban, Sean Berens, Danton Cole, rustyn Dolyny, Jon insana , Don McSween, Chris Mueller, Brock radunske, Dominic vicari, Mike Watt and, most recently, Justin abdelkader.

From Michigan, the Griffins have enlisted the services of Josh Langfeld, nick Martens, Scott Matzka, vashi nedomansky, David oliver, David roberts, David rohlfs and Blake Sloan.

Should auld acquaintances be forgot and never brought to mind, Grand rapids hockey fans can celebrate the contributions of these players when the organization holds its inaugural new year’s Day Game presented by Dodge.

6 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Fans arriving for the 7 p.m. contest against the Peoria rivermen will be able to receive a Griffins hat in their choice of school colors (green and white, or maize and blue) while supplies last. aer the game, fans who brought their own skates can take to the van andel arena ice for the Post-Game open Skate. Meanwhile, select Griffins players will sign autographs from the player bench during another Huntington Post-Game autograph Session.

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRAtION – FRI., DEC. 31 Fans can start the celebration of ringing in 2011 by attending the 14th annual new year’s Eve Celebration presented by Delta imports.

With the impending new year, the most appropriate giveaway is a team calendar, so come early to grab one while supplies last – that way, you’ll be able to track all those important Griffins dates in 2011. aer fans enjoy the traditional post-game fireworks display, they’ll have the chance to bid on one of the coolest special jerseys ever worn by the Griffins. e Griffins will play the Toronto Marlies in attire designed by ryan Muraro of Waukesha, Wisc,, who submitted a dramatic, muscular vision of Griff which was chosen as the top creation from 97 entries in the Griffins’ annual jersey design contest. “i was extremely impressed with the nearly 100 entries submitted to PuckDrawn.com,” said rich Meyers, the Griffins’ director of game operations.

“Choosing a top 10, let alone the eventual winner, was an extremely difficult task, one that i feel speaks volumes for the quality of the artists’ work.” a 23-year-old industrial designer and illustrator with a degree from the university of Wisconsin-Stout, Muraro already boasts an impressive portfolio, having previously designed suits for British speedskater Philip Brojaka as well as the ukrainian national speedskating team. in recognition of his winning entry, Muraro will receive a customized jersey of his design and four tickets to the Dec. 31 game.

Proceeds from the post-game jersey auction will benefit GvSu club roller hockey.

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1 Xerox Office Services Value Proposition white paper, June 2007

2010-11 SEASON SCHEDULE OCTOBER S 3 RFD 5:05

17 TOR 5:00

M 4 11 18 25

T 5 12 19 26

W 6 13 20 27

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NOVEMBER S

M

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1

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CHI

7:00

7:00

8

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MIL

11

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Noon

18

HOU 7:00

7:00

25

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CHI

7:00

8:00

F

S

1

2

7

ABB 7:00

9

5:00

14

MTB

MTB

HAM

8:30

8:30

4:00

21

MIL

RCH

7:00

7:35

21

22

23

28

OKC

MTB

PEO

7:00

7:00

4:00

29

30

S

M

T

LE

15

16

LE 7:00

TOR 11 A.M.

4:00

LE

31

DECEMBER S SA 4:00

TEX

M 6

T

W

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F

1

2

MIL

SA

8:00

7:00

7

MIL

9

TEX

PEO

7:00

8:05

16

PEO

PEO

7:00

7:00

4:00

13

14

HOU

19

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TOR 7:00

23

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LE

CHI 8:00

28

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4:00

7:00

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JANUARY W

M

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1

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HAM

MIL

7:00

8:00

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9

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11

12

SA 8:00

25

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5:05

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25

RCH

30

31

S

M

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W

8:30

7:05

2

8:00

3

7:00

7:00

9

10

OKC

OKC

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17

6

7

SA

14

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21

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TOR

4:00

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27

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3:00

5:30

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7:00

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APRIL MIL

S RCH

7:30

28

5

F RCH

TOR

7:00

T 7

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ABB

ABB

10:00

10:00

ABB

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7:00

8:05

MIL 6:00

TO PURCHASE TICKETS OR FOR MORE INFO, VISIT GRIFFINSHOCKEY.COM OR CALL 1.800.2.HOCKEY

8:35

T

TEX

24

8:05

MARCH

11

7:00

4

8:35

10

23

3

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7:00

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27

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M

8:00

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S

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7:00

7:00

8

4:00

CHI

3

15

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20

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7

4:00

HOU

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3:05

14

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6 PEO

RFD

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8:00

7

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S 7:00

2

6:00

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FEBRUARY S

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Home

Away A way

8:05

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7:00

7:05

8:05

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RCH

7:00

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TEX

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8:30

8:00

*All times Eastern. Dates, opponents, and times subject to change.

Post-Game Open Skate Huntington Bank Post-Game Autograph Session Fan 4-Pack Home Game Games broadcast live on

ABB – Abbotsford CHI - Chicago HAM - Hamilton HOU - Houston LE – Lake Erie MTB - Manitoba MIL - Milwaukee

OKC – Oklahoma City PEO - Peoria RCH – Rochester RFD - Rockford SA - San Antonio TEX – Texas TOR - Toronto

Dear Grand rapids Griffins Fans, Welcome to a milestone season for the Griffins franchise. at times, it’s hard to believe that we are already entering our 15th season of providing the highest level of sports entertainment in West Michigan, not to mention our 10th year of membership in the american Hockey League.

Since that first game on oct. 5, 1996, the Griffins have created a legacy of success, winning five division titles, making 10 playoff appearances and sending 110 players to the nHL, 13 of whom have gone on to win the Stanley Cup. as proud as we are of the winning tradition we’ve established, we’re just as pleased at our continuing accomplishments off the ice. The Griffins’ front office has received three aHL awards for excellence in the last two years, winning the Western Conference’s award for fan experience in 2009-10, after being honored in the areas of community service and overall ticket sales growth in 2008-09.

Bob Kaser, whom everyone knows as the “voice of the Griffins,” received the aHL’s 2009-10 Ellery award for excellence in radio broadcasting, joining several other Griffins staffers who have won league awards through the years. While fans pay attention to player movement between Grand rapids and Detroit, one of the strengths of our organization has long been the retention of key staff, often a rarity in professional sports. Three of our current employees have been with us since before the first puck dropped, while five others have at least 10 years of service to the organization.

The most important people in our equation of success, however, are you and the thousands of other Griffins fans. Thanks to you, we finished fourth in the aHL in attendance last season, behind three markets – Hershey, Winnipeg and Chicago – whose pro hockey histories date back much further than Grand rapids’. That’s a testament to your passion and your loyalty, two things that we try to earn on a nightly basis.

We’ll continue to offer one of the most innovative promotional lineups in hockey. Check out page 28 for all the details. We also hope that this year’s two major upgrades to van andel arena – the expansion of the northwest concourse and the installation of a state-of-the-art LED ribbon on the façade of the upper deck – enhance your game-night experience and keep you coming back for more.

Thank you for your continued support of the Griffins. on behalf of our players, coaches and staff, i hope you enjoy the 2010-11 season.

Sincerely,

Dan DeVos President & CEO Grand Rapids Griffins

10 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

DA AVID VID A A.. AN NDREWS DREWS PRESIDEN RESIDENT NT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE FFICER, ER, AMERICA MERICAN AN HOCKEY LEAGUE

American Am erican Hock Hockey ey League Leag gue One M Monarch Place – Springfield, MA 01144 0 Phone: Phone e: (413) 781-2030 Fax: (413) 733-4767 33-4767 Dear D ear Fans FFans, anss, great pleasuree ttoo welcome historic anniversary American Hockey IItt is my gr eat pleasur welcome yyou ou ttoo the hist oric 75th anniv ersary season of the A merican H ockey League.

League. This This milestone milestone provides opportunity history professional hockey. pr ovides a unique opp ortunitty ffor or a season-long ccelebration elebration of our rremarkable emarkable hist ory in pr offessional ho ckey.

O ur op ening w eekend ffestivities estivities and annd hist oric rivalry rivalry mat chups featur ffeature eature Springfield, SSpr pringfieldd, Providence, Providence, RRochester, ochesterr, Hershey, Hersheey, SSyr yracuse and Our opening weekend historic matchups Syracuse LLake ake Erie, Er Eriee, and thr oughout the seas son all of our clubs will bbee hosting eevents vents ttoo rrecognize ecognizze former former stars and AHL H all of FFamers, aamerss, and throughout season Hall the ic onic Calder Calder C up -- the symb oll of AHL supr emaccy ffor or 75 yyears ears -- will visit many of our cities as w ell. iconic Cup symbol supremacy well.

W e’re thr illed ttoo ent er this sp ecial sseason eason with an all-time high of 30 teams teams ccompeting ompetingg ffor or the 75th C alder C up championship We’re thrilled enter special Calder Cup championship..

A ational H ockey LLeague eague clubs clubbs now now ha ve their oown wn pr imary affiliates affiliates in the AHL,, further further solidifying our position position as the home Allll 30 N National Hockey have primary of the NHL op dr afft picks and fut futur ure sup erstars. LLast ast season alone orrmer first- and sec ond-round NHL dr afft picks NHL’s’s ttop draft future superstars. alone,, mor moree than 200 fformer second-round draft pla ayed in the A merican H ockey LLeague, eaaguee, and mor plaayyers sa w ac tion in bboth othh the AHL and the NHL. played American Hockey moree than 300 players saw action A recognize our past in 2010-1 11, w ok ttoo a bright bright futur wo outstandingg ne w cities as the C harlotte C heckers and Ass w wee recognize 2010-11, wee also lo look futuree in ttwo new Charlotte Checkers the O klahoma C Cit ity BBarons arons join thee league elcome those cities and their fans ttoo th he ent ertainmentt, sk ill and eexcitement xcitement of Oklahoma City league.. W Wee w welcome the entertainment, skill the AHL. W ontinue ttoo bbee pr oud of our tr a adition of de veloping the bbest est hockey hockey talent in the w orldd, with oover ver 85 ppercent ercent of ttoday’s oday’s NHL Wee ccontinue proud tradition developing world, pla ayerss, ccoaches oaches and officials having havinng honed their sk ills in the A merican Hockey Hockey LLeague, eaguee, including rreigning eigning VVezina ezina Trophy Trophy winner players, skills American RRyan yan M iller and 2010 N orris TTrophy rophyy rrecipient ecipient D uncan KKeith. eith. O ur lo oyyal fans oover ver the past st 75 yyears ears have have enjo oyyed cheer ing for for mor Miller Norris Duncan Our loyal enjoyed cheering moree than 100 futur ockey H all of Famers, Faam merss, and ha ve rooted rooted ffor or mor alder C upp champions who w ould go on ttoo ha ve their futuree H Hockey Hall have moree than 100 C Calder Cup would have names engr aved on the Stanle u as w up ell. engraved Stanleyy C Cup well.

TThe he Hershey Hersheey BBears ears ent er this seasonn as the ttwo-time wo-time def fending ending league champions af ftter e capping capping a rrecord-setting ecord-setting season with enter defending after their 11th C alder C up last JJune. une. This Thiis year’s year’s BBears ears ar oking ttoo hold off 29 other teams teamss whose ultimat Calder Cup aree lo looking ultimatee goal will also bbee the 2011 C alder Cup Cup championship. championship.

Calder W vite fans fr om acr oss the leag gue ttoo join us in H ersheey, PPa., a., the most hist oric and st toried ttown own in all of professional proffessional ho ckey, as Wee in invite from across league Hershey, historic storied hockey, w elebrate our 75th anniv ersarry with all of the sp ectacular eevents vents which will tak ace at the 2011 C apital BBlue lue Cr C ross wee ccelebrate anniversary spectacular takee pl place Capital Cross AHL A ll-Star C lassic on January January 30 and 31.

All-Star Classic O ehalf of all of our teams, teams,, thankk yyou ou again for for yyour our ccontinuing ontinuing support support and I wish yyou ou the utmost enjoyment enjooyment yment in following ffollo ollowing Onn bbehalf yyour our club thr ough what pr omises ttoo bbee another fantastic season. through promises SSincerely, incerely,

D avid A. A ndrews David Andrews PPresident resident & Chief Chief Ex EExecutive xecutive O fficer Officer A merican H ockey LLeague eague American Hockey

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 11

2010-2011 AHL DIRECTORY EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION: Bridgeport, Hartford, Manchester, Portland, Providence, Springfield, Worcester EAST DIVISION: Adirondack, Albany, Binghamton, Charlotte, Hershey, Norfolk, Syracuse, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton ADIRONDACK PHANTOMS

HERSHEY BEARS

NHL AFFILIATION: Philadelphia Flyers HOME ICE: Glens Falls Civic Center (4,816) GENERAL MANAGER: Paul Holmgren HEAD COACH: Greg Gilbert ENTERED AHL: 1996-97 (as Philadelphia Phantoms) CALDER CUPS: Two (1998, 2005) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 10 of 14 2009-10 RECORD: 32-41-3-4, 71 pts.

WEB SITE: www.phantomshockey.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Washington Capitals HOME ICE: Giant Center (10,500) GENERAL MANAGER: Doug Yingst HEAD COACH: Mark French ENTERED AHL: 1938-39 CALDER CUPS: 11 (1947, 1958, 1959, 1969, 1974, 1980, 1988, 1997, 2006, 2009, 2010) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 61 of 72 2009-10 RECORD: 60-17-0-3, 123 pts.

WEB SITE: www.hersheybears.com

ALBANY DEVILS NHL AFFILIATION: New Jersey Devils HOME ICE: Times Union Center (6,691) GENERAL MANAGER: Chris Lamoriello HEAD COACH: Rick Kowalsky ENTERED AHL: 2006-07 (as Lowell Devils) CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 1 of 4 2009-10 RECORD: 39-31-4-6, 88 pts.

WEB SITE: www.thealbanydevils.com

BINGHAMTON SENATORS

MANCHESTER MONARCHS NHL AFFILIATION: Los Angeles Kings HOME ICE: Verizon Wireless Center (9,852) GENERAL MANAGER: Ron Hextall HEAD COACH: Mark Morris ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 8 of 9 2009-10 RECORD: 43-28-3-6, 95 pts.

WEB SITE: www.manchestermonarchs.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Ottawa Senators HOME ICE: Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena (4,710) PRESIDENT: Tim Smith HEAD COACH: Kurt Kleinendorst ENTERED AHL: 2002-03 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 3 of 8 2009-10 RECORD: 36-35-6-3, 81 pts.

WEB SITE: www.binghamtonsenators.com

NORFOLK ADMIRALS

BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS

PORTLAND PIRATES

NHL AFFILIATION: New York Islanders HOME ICE: Bridgeport’s Arena at Harbor Yard (8,412) GENERAL MANAGER: Garth Snow HEAD COACH: Jack Capuano ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 6 of 9 2009-10 RECORD: 38-32-4-6, 86 pts.

WEB SITE: www.soundtigers.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Buffalo Sabres HOME ICE: Cumberland County Civic Center (6,733) GENERAL MANAGER: Darcy Regier HEAD COACH: Kevin Dineen ENTERED AHL: 1993-94 CALDER CUPS: One (1994) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 13 of 17 2009-10 RECORD: 45-24-7-4, 101 pts.

WEB SITE: www.portlandpirates.com

CHARLOTTE CHECKERS

PROVIDENCE BRUINS

NHL AFFILIATION: Carolina Hurricanes HOME ICE: Time Warner Cable Arena (6,800) HEAD COACH/ GENERAL MANAGER: Jeff Daniels ENTERED AHL: 2010-11 WEB SITE: www.gocheckers.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Boston Bruins HOME ICE: Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence (11,075) GENERAL MANAGER: Peter Chiarelli HEAD COACH: Rob Murray ENTERED AHL: 1992-93 CALDER CUPS: One (1999) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 15 of 18 2009-10 RECORD: 36-38-5-1, 78 pts.

WEB SITE: www.providencebruins.com

HARTFORD WOLF PACK NHL AFFILIATION: New York Rangers HOME ICE: XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum (9,801) GENERAL MANAGER: Jim Schoenfeld HEAD COACH: Ken Gernander ENTERED AHL: 1997-98 CALDER CUPS: One (2000) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 12 of 13 2009-10 RECORD: 36-33-6-5, 83 pts.

WEB SITE: www.hartfordwolfpack.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Tampa Bay Lightning HOME ICE: Norfolk Scope (8,725) GENERAL MANAGER: Julien BriseBois HEAD COACH: Jon Cooper ENTERED AHL: 2000-01 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 7 of 10 2009-10 RECORD: 39-35-3-3, 84 pts.

WEB SITE: www.norfolkadmirals.com

2010-2011 AHL DIRECTORY SPRINGFIELD FALCONS

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

NHL AFFILIATION: Columbus Blue Jackets HOME ICE: MassMutual Center (6,789) GENERAL MANAGER: Bruce Landon HEAD COACH: Rob Riley ENTERED AHL: 1994-95 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 6 of 16 2009-10 RECORD: 25-39-12-4, 66 pts.

WEB SITE: www.falconsahl.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Pittsburgh Penguins HOME ICE: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza (8,050) GENERAL MANAGER: Ray Shero HEAD COACH: John Hynes ENTERED AHL: 1999-00 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 9 of 11 2009-10 RECORD: 41-34-2-3, 87 pts.

WEB SITE: www.wbspenguins.com

SYRACUSE CRUNCH NHL AFFILIATION: Anaheim Ducks HOME ICE: Onondaga County War Memorial at Oncenter (6,159) GENERAL MANAGER: Vance Lederman HEAD COACH: Mark Holick ENTERED AHL: 1994-95 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 9 of 16 2009-10 RECORD: 34-39-4-3, 75 pts.

WEB SITE: www.syracusecrunch.com

WORCESTER SHARKS NHL AFFILIATION: San Jose Sharks HOME ICE: DCU Center (6,800) GENERAL MANAGER: Wayne Thomas HEAD COACH: Roy Sommer ENTERED AHL: 2006-07 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 3 of 4 2009-10 RECORD: 49-25-3-3, 104 pts.

WEB SITE: www.sharksahl.com

TM

WESTERN CONFERENCE NORTH DIVISION: Abbotsford, Grand Rapids, Hamilton, Lake Erie, Manitoba, Rochester, Toronto WEST DIVISION: Chicago, Houston, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Peoria, Rockford, San Antonio, Texas ABBOTSFORD HEAT

HAMILTON BULLDOGS

NHL AFFILIATION: Calgary Flames HOME ICE: Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (7,046) PRESIDENT: Tom Mauthe HEAD COACH: Jim Playfair ENTERED AHL: 2009-10 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 1 of 1 2009-10 RECORD: 39-29-5-7, 90 pts.

WEB SITE: www.abbotsfordheat.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Montreal Canadiens HOME ICE: Copps Coliseum (8,819) GENERAL MANAGER: Pierre Gauthier HEAD COACH: Randy Cunneyworth ENTERED AHL: 1996-97 CALDER CUPS: One (2007) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 11 of 14 2009-10 RECORD: 52-17-3-8, 115 pts.

WEB SITE: www.hamiltonbulldogs.com

CHICAGO WOLVES NHL AFFILIATION: Atlanta Thrashers HOME ICE: Allstate Arena (16,692) GENERAL MANAGER: Wendell Young HEAD COACH: Don Lever ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALDER CUPS: Two (2002, 2008) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 7 of 9 2009-10 RECORD: 49-24-1-6, 105 pts.

WEB SITE: www.chicagowolves.com

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS NHL AFFILIATION: Detroit Red Wings HOME ICE: Van Andel Arena (10,834) GENERAL MANAGER: Bob McNamara HEAD COACH: Curt Fraser BEGAN PLAY: 1996-97 (IHL) ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 6 of 9 2009-10 RECORD: 34-39-3-4, 75 pts.

WEB SITE: www.griffinshockey.com

HOUSTON AEROS NHL AFFILIATION: Minnesota Wild HOME ICE: Toyota Center (8,939) GENERAL MANAGER: Jim Mill HEAD COACH: Mike Yeo ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALDER CUPS: One (2003) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 7 of 9 2009-10 RECORD: 34-34-7-5, 80 pts.

WEB SITE: www.aeros.com

LAKE ERIE MONSTERS NHL AFFILIATION: Colorado Avalanche HOME ICE: Quicken Loans Arena (10,025) GENERAL MANAGER: David Oliver HEAD COACH: David Quinn ENTERED AHL: 2007-08 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 0 of 3 2009-10 RECORD: 34-37-1-8, 77 pts.

WEB SITE: www.lakeeriemonsters.com

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 13

2010-2011 AHL DIRECTORY MANITOBA MOOSE

SAN ANTONIO A RAMP RAMPAGE AGE

AFFILIATION: IA Va Vanncouv Canucks NHL AFFILI ATION: Vancouver u er Canucks HOME H OME ICE: ICE: MTS MTS Centre Centre (8,800) (8,8800) SSENIOR ENIOR VP/GENERAL VP/GENERAL MANAGER: MAN NA AGER: Craig i Heisinger Heisinger C raig COACH: Claaude Noel Noel HEAD C OACH: Claude ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALDER CALD ER CUPS: None None SSEASONS EASONS IN PLAYOFFS: PLAY YOFFS: 8 of of 9 RECORD: 40-33-5-22, 87 pts. pts.

2009-10 REC ORD: 40-33-5-2, www.mo . osehockkey.c . om WEB SSITE: ITE: www.moosehockey.com

AFFILIATION: FFILIATION: Phoenix Phoenix Coyotes Coyotes e NHL A HOME H OME ICE: ICE: AT&T AT&T Center Center (6,374) GENERAL GENER RAL MANAGER: MAN NA AGER: Brad Brad Treliving Tr Treliving COACH: Ray Ray EEdwards d ards HEAD COACH: dwa ENTERED ENTER RED AHL: 2002-03 CALDER CALD E CUPS: None ER None SSEASONS EASONS IN PLAYOFFS: PLAY YOFFS: 2 of of 8 2009-100 RECORD: RECORD: 36-32-5-7, 84 ppts. ts. www.s . arampage.com WEB SSITE: I www.sarampage.com ITE:

MILWAUKEE MIL WAUKEE ADMIRALS ADMIRAL S AFFILIATION: IA Nashville Predators Preda NHL AFFILI ATI T ON: Nashville datoors H OME ICE: ICE: Bradley Bradley Center Center (17,845) HOME GENER AL MANAGER: MANAGER: Paul Paul Fenton Fentoon GENERAL HEAD C OACH: Lane Lanne Lambert Lambert COACH: ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALD ER CUPS: One (2004) CALDER SSEASONS EASONS IN PLAYOFFS: PLAY YOFFS: 8 of of 9 2009-10 REC ORD: 41-30-2-7, 41-30-2-77, 91 pts. pts.

RECORD: WEB SSITE: ITE: www.milwaukeeadmirals.com www.miilwaukeeadmir a als.com

OKLAHOMA CITY BARO BARONS ONS NHL AFFILI AFFILIATION: IA ATION: Edmonton Edmonton Oilers Oilers HOME H OME ICE: ICE: Cox Cox C Convention onvention Center Center (13,399) GENER AL MANAGER: MANAGER: Bill Bill Scott Scottt GENERAL HEAD C COACH: OACH: Todd T Toodd N Nelson elson ENTERED AHL: 2010 2010-11 11 WEB SSITE: ITE: www.okcbarons.com www.okcbarons.ccom

PEORIA RIVERMEN NHL AFFILI AFFILIATION: IA ATION: St. St. Louis Louis u Blues Bluues HOME H OME ICE: ICE: Peoria Peoria Civic Ciivicc Center Center – Carver C arver Arena Arena (9,919) GENERAL GENER AL MANAGER: MANAGER: Kevin Kevin i McDonald McDonald HEAD C COACH: OACH: Jared JJaared Bednar Bednaar ENTERED AHL: 2005-06 CALDER CALD ER CUPS: None None SSEASONS EASONS IN PLAYOFFS: PLAY YOFFS: 2 of of 5 2009-10 REC RECORD: ORD: 38-33-2-7, 38-33-2-77, 85 pts. pts.

WEB SSITE: ITE: www.rivermen.net www.rivermen.nnet

ROCHESTER AMERICAN AMERICANS NS NHL AFFILI AFFILIATION: IA ATION: Florida Florida Panthers Panthers HOME H OME ICE: ICE: Blue Blue Cross Cross A Arena rena n at at the Rochester R ochester War Wa War Memorial Memorial (7,528) (7,5528) GENERAL GENER AL MANAGER: MANAGER: Michael Michhael Santos Santos HEAD C COACH: OACH: Chuck Chuck Weber W Weeber ENTERED AHL: 1956-57 CALD ER CUPS: Six Six (1965, 1966, 1966, CALDER 1968, 1983, 1987, 1996) SSEASONS EASONS IN PLAYOFFS: PLAY YOFFS: 411 of of 54 2009-10 REC ORD: 44-33-2-1, 44-33-2-11, 91 pts. pts.

RECORD: WEB SSITE: ITE: www.amerks.com www.aamerks.com

ROCKFORD ICEHOGS NHL AFFILI AFFILIATION: IA ATION: Chicago Chicaggo Blackhawks Blackkhaawks HOME H OME ICE: ICE: Rockford Rockkfordd MetroCentre M MeetroCentre (5,767) GOVERNOR: GO VERNOR: Mark Mark Bernard Bernarrd HEAD C COACH: OACH: Bill Bill Peters Peteers ENTERED AHL: 2007-08 CALDER CALD ER CUPS: None None SSEASONS EASONS IN PLAYOFFS: PLAY YOFFS: 3 of of 3 2009-10 REC RECORD: ORD: 44-30-3-3, 44-30-3-33, 94 pts. pts.

WEB SSITE: ITE: www.icehogs.com www.iicehogs.com

TEXASS ST STARS ARS AFFILIATION: FFILIATION: Dallas Dallas a Stars Stars NHL A ICE: Cedar Cedar Park Park rk Center Center (6,863) ( ) H OME ICE: HOME GENER RAL MANAGER: MAN NA AGER: Scott Scott White Whiittee GENERAL COACH: Glen Glen Gulutzan Gulutza tzann HEAD COACH: ENTER RED AHL: 2009-10 ENTERED CALDER E CUPS: None None CALDER SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: PLAY YOFFS: 1 of of 1 SEASONS RECORD: 46-27-3-4, 99 pts. pts.

2009-100 RECORD: SITE: I www.texasstarshockey.com www.ttexasstarrshockey.com WEB SITE:

TORONTO TORO NTO MARLIES NHL A AFFILIATION: FFILIATION: Toronto Tooroontoo Maple T Maplee Leafs Leaffs HOME H OME ICE: ICE: Ricoh Ricoh C Coliseum oliseum (7,851) GENERAL GENER RAL MANAGER: MAN NA AGER: Dave Dave Nonis Nonis HEAD COACH: COACH: Dallas Dallas EEakins akiins ENTERED ENTER RED AHL: 2005-06 CALDER CALD E CUPS: None ER None SSEASONS EASONS IN PLAYOFFS: PLAY YOFFS: 3 of of 5 2009-100 RECORD: RECORD: 33-35-6-6, 78 ppts. ts.

WEB SSITE: I www.torontomarlies.com ITE: www.ttorontomaarlies.com

2010-11 PLAYOFF FORMAT Thee ttop The op ffour our teams teams in each division will qualify for for the 2011 Calder Calder Cup Cup Pla yoffs, with one possible possiblee Playoffs, eexception xception e in each conference. conference. If If the fifth-place fifth-plac th place tteam eam m in the West West Division Division finishes with mor poin o ts moree points thann the fourth-place fourth-place tteam eam in the North North Division, Division, n, it will cr oss oover ver and compete compete in the N orth Division Division on cross North playoffs. pla yoffs. Lik Likewise, ewise, if the fifth-place fifth-place tteam eam in the East D iviision finishes with more more p oints than the fourthfourrthDivision points place plac ce tteam eam in the Atlantic Atlantic D Division, ivision, it will cr cross oss oover ver and d compete compete in the A tlantic Division Division playoffs. playoffs.

Atlantic ivision Semifinals Semifinals – Best Best of Seven Seveen - W ithin each eacch 1. D Division Within first-place team team plays plays the fourth-place ffour ourth-p place division, the first-place team, while the second-place second-place team team faces faces the thirdthhirdteam, place team. team. place 2. D ivision Finals Finals – Best Best of Seven Seven 2.

Division onference Finals Finals – Best Best of Seven Seven - TThe he winner rs 3.. C Conference winners North and West West Divisions Divisions will play play for for the he of the North Western Conference Conf Confference title, title, while the championss of Western A Atlan tlantic and East Divisions Divisions will face face off for for the the Atlantic Eastern Conference Conference crown. crown.

Eastern alder Cup Cup FFinals inals – Best Best of SSeven even 4.. C Calder

14 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

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HISTORY

T

he American Hockey League is excited to be celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2010-11, a milestone of excellence that began in 1936 when the Canadian-American Hockey League merged with the International Hockey League to form what is today known as the AHL. Eight teams hit the ice that first season, playing in Buffalo, Cleveland, New Haven, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Springfield and Syracuse.

Frank Calder, the National Hockey League’s president at the time, was instrumental in the forming of the new league, and his name would be given to its championship trophy. The first Calder Cup was won by the Syracuse Stars, beginning a tradition that continued in 2010 when the Hershey Bears captured a record 11th AHL championship.

LEGENDS

Over the past three-quarters of a century, the American Hockey

Johnny Bower Honored Member, Hockey Hall of Fame Honored Member, AHL Hall of Fame

League has been home to some of the greatest players in the history of our sport. In fact, more than 100 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame have been affiliated with the AHL during their careers. All-time greats like George Armstrong, Toe Blake, Gump Worsley, Terry Sawchuk, Glenn Hall, Brad Park, Ken Dryden and Brett Hull came through the AHL ranks and now find themselves enshrined in Toronto, and the coveted Calder Cup trophy is enscribed with the names of legendary AHL alumni like Patrick Roy, Larry Robinson, Gerry Cheevers, Andy Bathgate, Tim Horton, Al Arbour, Emile Francis, Doug Harvey and Billy Smith.

T

he American Hockey League has created its own legends as well, and in 2006 began honoring them with the formation of the AHL Hall of Fame. The fifth class of inductees, recognized in 2010, included Macgregor Kilpatrick, John Paddock, Marcel Paille and Bill Sweeney.

They join the likes of Johnny Bower, Fred Glover, Jody Gage, Willie Marshall, Frank Mathers, Eddie Shore, Bruce Boudreau, Tim Tookey and others as distinguished members of the American Hockey League Hall of Fame.

In today’s National Hockey League, more than 85 percent of the

18 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Photo: Buffalo Sabres

players are AHL alumni, including 2010 Vezina Trophy winner Ryan Miller and 2010 Norris Trophy recipient Duncan Keith. More than 130 AHL alumni participated in the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, with 42 collecting medals including Canada’s Eric Staal and Dan Boyle, the United States’ Zach Parise and Dustin Brown, and Finland’s Mikko Koivu and Valtteri Filppula -- all former AHL All-Stars. The Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks were stocked with AHL graduates as well, among them Kris Versteeg, Dustin Byfuglien, Troy Brouwer, Patrick Sharp and Antti Niemi.

Ryan Miller 2010 Vezina Trophy Winner 2005 AHL Goaltender of the Year

PLAYERS

During the 2009-10 season, more than 800 AHL alumni played in the

Photo: Chicago Blackhawks

National Hockey League, including 320 who skated in both leagues last year alone. Anaheim’s Corey Perry and Philadelphia’s Mike Richards were among the 13 AHL graduates who led their NHL teams in scoring, and former AHL All-Stars Tuukka Rask, Jaroslav Halak and Jimmy Howard were among the 26 AHL goaltending alumni who paced their NHL clubs in victories. More than 200 former first- and second-round draft picks developed their skills in the AHL last season, including breakout rookies like Logan Couture, P.K. Subban, Tyler Ennis, John Carlson and Lars Eller.

Former AHL All-Star and Calder Cup champion Patrick Sharp won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks last June.

COACHES

At the start of the 2010-11 season, the NHL featured 23 head coaches who were former AHL

bench bosses, including Joel Quenneville of the 2010 Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks and 2009 Stanley Cup champion Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Rookie head coaches in the NHL include Tampa Bay’s Guy Boucher and Columbus’s Scott Arniel, the last two winners of the Louis A.R. Pieri Award as the AHL’s coach of the year.

“The American Hockey League has been essential in developing my potential both as a player and as a coach.

Being able to hone my skills and improve at a high level of competition was key to reaching my goals of playing in the NHL, becoming a head coach and winning the Stanley Cup.” -- Dan Bylsma, Head Coach, Pittsburgh Penguins

FANS

Photo: Kevin Colton

The 2009-10 season saw more than 6 million fans attend AHL games

for the ninth year in a row; since 2001, AHL games have been played before more than 58 million fans in arenas across North America. The Hershey Bears paced the league by averaging more than 9,500 fans per game last year; the Lake Erie Monsters drew a franchise-high 18,626 fans for a single game in January; and a league-record 21,508 fans were part of hockey history when the Syracuse Crunch hosted the Mirabito Outdoor Classic, the AHL’s first-ever outdoor game, on Feb. 20.

An AHL-record crowd of 21,508 fans packed the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse for the Mirabito Outdoor Classic on Feb. 20, 2010.

STARS

The AHL All-Star Classic showcases the league’s top talent each

Of the 528 players to take part in the AHL All-Star Classic since 1995, more than 93 percent have competed in the National Hockey League, including Patrice Bergeron, Brad Boyes, Daniel Briere, Brian Campbell, Zdeno Chara, Miikka Kiprusoff, Chris Kunitz, Bobby Ryan, Martin St. Louis, Jason Spezza and Tomas Vokoun.

Sports Action Photography/AHL

year in an All-Star Skills Competition and All-Star Game. The 2011 AHL All-Star Classic will be held at Giant Center in Hershey, Pa., on January 30-31, featuring the Eastern Conference All-Stars battling the Western Conference All-Stars in a game to be televised live across the U.S. and Canada.

P.K. Subban’s memorable rookie season included a trip to the 2010 AHL All-Star Classic in Portland.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 19

速

Detroit

reD Wings

Photo: Getty Images

Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard went 37-15-10 with a 2.26 GAA and a 0.924 save percentage as a rookie last season, finishing second in voting for the NHL’s Calder Trophy and becoming the latest in a long line of former Griffins to make an impact in Hockeytown.

Since the Grand rapids-Detroit affiliation began in 2002, Griffins fans have proudly watched 37 players move on to play for the red Wings – including the likes of Justin abdelkader, Jonathan Ericsson, valtteri Filppula, Darren Helm, Jiri Hudler and niklas Kronwall – while also enjoying the opportunity to see some of Detroit’s brightest stars play at van andel arena during conditioning stints. tOP AFFILIAtE Grand rapids Griffins (aHL)

ARENA Joe Louis arena Seating Capacity: 20,066

INFO Phone: (313) 394-7000 www.detroitredwings.com

StANLEY CUPS 1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008

MANAGEMENt Ken Holland, Executive vP/General Manager Jim nill, vP/assistant General Manager

COAChING StAFF Mike Babcock, Head Coach Paul MacLean, assistant Coach Brad McCrimmon, assistant Coach Keith McKittrick, video Coach Jim Bedard, Goaltending Coach

GRIFFINS WhO hAVE EARNED thEIR WINGS* Justin abdelkader, 2008-09 Sean avery, 2002-03 ryan Barnes, 2003-04 Patrick Boileau, 2002-03 Darryl Bootland, 2003-04 aaron Downey, 2008-09 Matt Ellis, 2006-07 Jonathan Ericsson, 2007-08 valtteri Filppula, 2005-06 Mark Hartigan, 2007-08 Darren Helm, 2007-08 Jimmy Howard, 2005-06 Jiri Hudler, 2003-04 Matt Hussey, 2006-07 Doug Janik, 2009-10 Jakub Kindl, 2009-10 Tomas Kopecky, 2005-06 niklas Kronwall, 2003-04 Marc Lamothe, 2003-04

Josh Langfeld, 2006-07 Brett Lebda, 2005-06 ville Leino, 2008-09 Joey MacDonald, 2006-07 Donald MacLean, 2005-06 Darren McCarty, 2007-08 Derek Meech, 2006-07 Kevin Miller, 2003-04 Mark Mowers, 2003-04 anders Myrvold, 2003-04 Kris newbury, 2009-10 Kyle Quincey, 2005-06 Mattias ritola, 2007-08 Jamie rivers, 2003-04 nathan robinson, 2003-04 Stacy roest, 2002-03 Garrett Stafford, 2007-08 Jason Williams, 2002-03

* not including conditioning stints for Curtis Joseph (2003-04), Chris Osgood (2005-06), Manny Legace (2005-06), Chris Chelios (2008-09) and Andreas Lilja (2009-10).

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 21

although he dons the same Griffins number once worn by his younger brother valtteri, ilari Filppula is ready to serve notice that he’s not following in anyone’s footsteps.

Story and photos by Mark Newman

riffins forward ilari Filppula has a new admiration for tennis players. as a very skilled and highly conditioned athlete, Filppula has an appreciation for competitors in sports other than hockey, whether they’re batting a baseball in the Finnish game of Pesäpallo that he grew up playing and loving, or backhanding a racquet on the courts in a fast-paced tennis match.

Filppula got a close look at the premier players in tennis this past summer when he attended a couple rounds of the Wimbledon tournament in England, thanks to his younger brother valtteri’s nike connections.

“We were able to see some of the better players in the world,” said Filppula, rattling off the names of roger Federer, rafael nadal, novak Djokovic, andy Murray, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. “val and i watched matches on Centre Court and we got to see them practice and warm-up about five meters away,” he said. “eir skill is awesome. When you see it right in front of you, it makes it that much more impressive.” e experience of seeing the best tennis players excel at their chosen sport le the brothers amazed.

“When you’re watching them on Tv, sometimes you’ll think how did they miss the ball if they’re the best?” Filppula said. “en you see the spin on the ball and the speed of their shots, and you’re surprised they can make any plays at all.”

G

it’s no different in hockey or any sport, for that matter, that has its share of armchair quarterbacks. it’s not as easy as it looks.

For years, Filppula watched national Hockey League games on television in his Finnish homeland. one of the featured teams was frequently the Detroit red Wings, likely due to the fact that it was a Swedish channel and there were more than a few Scandinavian players wearing the winged wheel. it was fun watching valtteri, who is 2-1/2 years his junior, make a name for himself in Detroit, but the older brother always had an aching desire to see how he could fare in his own right.

He was finally handed the opportunity to play in north america this past summer when the red Wings inked him to a one-year contract. now that he’s seen the flipside (wearing his brother’s #15), ilari can attest that it’s not as easy as it looks. “e game is way different than back home, more so than i thought,” he said. “i knew that the smaller ice surface here meant that you don’t have that much time to make plays and that you have to react quicker. “val and i talked about those things, but it’s always different when you’re actually experiencing the game yourself. Plus the teams here are more disciplined. you see more dumping in and chipping out the puck, which makes it harder to play against, too. obviously it’s been a huge deal for me.”

Filppula posted a career-best 49 points (12 goals and 37 assists) in 58 regular season games a year ago in Finland.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 23

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Worries aside, Filppula had a strong start in Grand rapids aer the red Wings assigned him to the Griffins before the beginning of the season. He tallied six goals and seven assists in his first nine games. “it’s going to take a lot of time to adjust, but i’ve been fortunate enough to play with good players who know the game here already and they’ve helped me a lot,” he said, referring to linemates Jan Mursak and Cory Emmerton. “i hope i can keep improving as we go along.”

Filppula had never been offered an nHL contract until he won the Jari Kurri Trophy as the best player in the Finnish Elite League playoffs last season. He signed a two-way contract with Detroit, where valtteri has played since 2005.

“When the opportunity came, i was fortunate to be able to choose among a couple of teams who were interested, but for me, Detroit was the obvious choice,” Filppula said. “Knowing val was in the organization wasn’t the deciding factor, but the desire to play on the same team with him was strong.” e two were slated to play on the same team in Finland during the 2005-06 season, but that opportunity was cut short when valtteri decided to sign with the red Wings and head across the atlantic to play for the Griffins. now it’s up to ilari to give the red Wings every reason to make the brothers’ dream a reality with a recall to Detroit. “obviously i knew it was going to be hard to be able to play for the red Wings because they have so many good players. To fit into that group, you’re going to have to be really good yourself. at the same time, if you make it, there’s always a good chance to win the (Stanley) Cup.” Filppula knew the odds were stacked against his making the club out of training camp, so he girded himself to be ready to make the most of his time in Grand rapids. “val liked the city here, which influenced my decision to sign here because i was 95 percent sure that i was going to start in the aHL,” he said. “i knew i was probably going to start in Grand rapids and i don’t have any problem with that. “i’m just going to work hard and do the best i can to help the team here and hopefully, at some point, i can get the chance to go up.”

Filppula is coming off his most productive season aer helping TPS Turku win the championship by recording two goals and 12 assists in 15 playoff games. He had 12 goals and 37 assists for a team-high 49 points in 58 regular season games. “i’ve never been on a team that won anything, so that was the main thing for me, but it still was a huge honor to be selected as the playoff MvP,” he said. “For some reason, everything went perfect for us in the playoffs.”

Filppula played the last seven seasons in the Finnish Elite League.

Filppula’s team swept the first-round series in four games, defeated the defending champions in six games, then won the title by winning the final series in five games. “We felt like we almost couldn’t lose,” he said. e championship marked the pinnacle of his career, which several years earlier had undergone a crisis of confidence.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 25

A number of Filppula’s highlight-reel goals in Finland can be seen on Youtube. “ere was a coaching change and, for some reason, we didn’t see eye to eye,” he recalled. “i was a healthy scratch a couple of times. away from the rink, we got along great, but he just didn’t want to play me, which wasn’t good for my confidence.” e lack of playing time started messing with his head.

“Confidence is obviously the key in this game, as is the case in so many games, and when you start doubting every decision, you’re not going to make good plays,” he said. “i think it took a full year for me to regain my confidence.” on the other hand, his little brother’s career seemed to be on the fast track to the nHL. not that it bothered ilari any.

26 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

“ere were no envious feelings whatsoever – it’s never been an issue with us,” he said. “obviously i was kind of bummed when we didn’t get to play on the same team, but i was just happy for him, proud more than ever that he got an opportunity to sign and play here.” although their style of play is similar – they are both exceptional playmakers with strong puck skills – the game comes more naturally to valtteri, who is a better skater. “it’s been that way throughout our careers,” he said. “val’s such an awesome skater – where i’ve been forced to find ways to create scoring chances, he’s just been able to skate. it’s been exciting to watch him become one of the better young players around.” e older Filppula has worked hard on his skating in recent years, honing his skills with the help of former Finnish speedskating national team coach Janne Hänninen. “i’m not the most economical skater, so i’m trying to get more out of my stride,” he said. “i need to improve my technique.”

He feels he’s made great progress the past couple of summers.

“My skating has improved a lot, which has influenced my whole game,” he said. “as you get older, you see the game a little differently, maybe read some plays a little better. Every year i try to pick up something from the other players and this year is no different.”

His summers have not been all work and no play.

Besides Wimbledon, Filppula took his girlfriend, Sara Laaksonen, to see Kings of Leon play Hyde Park in London. actually, it might have been the other way around. as a marketing manager at Sony Music Entertainment, Finland, she was able to get the tickets. e couple also went to the Far East last summer, traveling to Bangkok, Bintan island in indonesia and Singapore. “i didn’t like Bangkok that much. i found it to be a little scary, like if you got lost, no one would miss you because there are so many people. But Bintan was beautiful. it’s like paradise, with nothing on the island but the resort and rain forest. and Singapore was one of the coolest places i’ve been. if you want to experience the best of asia – the best restaurants, the best shopping – it’s the place to go.”

For the time being, however, the one place that’s most on his mind is Detroit, and he’s willing to be patient in hopes that he will eventually get a chance to play with his little brother.

“My mom wasn’t that excited to have both sons so far away, but it’s part of the game and i’m sure my mom and dad are happy for us,” Filppula said of his parents, Liisa, a kindergarten teacher, and raineri, an electrical engineer.

“Hopefully we will make them proud, too.”

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27

MARKYOUR CALENDAR! 2010-11 GRiffiNs PROMOTiONAL sCHEDULE

Dec. 5 Dec. 4: Drawstring Backpack Giveaway presented by Dean Foods/Appearance by renowned bucket drummer Peter Rabbit

Dec. 12 Jan. 1: Inaugural New Year’s Day Game presented by Dodge/U-M & MSU-Themed Griffins Hat Giveaway

Dec. 5: Thomas McCollum Jersey Card and Goalie Stick CrazyBand Giveaway presented by Cambridge Partners

Jan. 22: Jimmy Howard Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Huntington Bank/Appearance by the ZOOperstars

Dec. 12: Tomas Tatar Jersey Card and Griffins “G” Logo CrazyBand Giveaway presented by J & H Family Stores

Jan. 22-23: Annual Great Skate Winterfest at Rose Parks Circle in Downtown Grand Rapids

Dec. 26: Jan Mursak Jersey Card and Hockey Skate CrazyBand Giveaway presented by Jack Links/Griffins Give Back

feb. 5: Hockey Day in West Michigan presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union/Travis Richards Bobblehead Giveaway/Jersey Auction #2

Dec. 31: 14th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration presented by Delta Imports/Team Calendar Giveaway/Jersey Auction to benefit GVSU club roller hockey Dec. 31

feb. 20: Mattias Ritola Jersey Card and Zamboni CrazyBand Giveaway presented by One Communications

College Nights presented by Chemical Bank: Every Friday, college students can show their ID to purchase a lower bowl ticket for $12 (or $10 in advance at The Zone) and stop by the McFadden’s concourse table to receive a free pass to the post-game party at McFadden’s.

Winning Wednesday: Every time the Griffins win at home on Wednesday, each fan in attendance will receive a free ticket to the next Wednesday game. Win or lose, be sure to stop by the post-game party at Peppino’s downtown.

28 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

March 5: Star Wars Night/Bottle Opener Giveaway March 19: Mascot Mania presented by Centennial Securities/Team Poster Giveaway/Jersey Auction #3 March 20: Fan Appreciation Day presented by Michigan Office Solutions/Griffins #1 Fan Sign and Griffins Crest Logo CrazyBand Giveaway/Appearance by Quick Change, performers featured on America’s Got Talent April 8: Season Finale presented by Chrysler/Jersey Auction #4

Jan. 1

S E A S O N - L O N G Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs: Every Friday, enjoy $1 hot dogs and $1 domestic drafts from 6-8 p.m., while supplies last.

Dec. 26 feb. 22: Annual Griffins vs. Grand Rapids Sled Wings sled hockey game at Griff’s IceHouse

sunday is fun Day!: Every Sunday, enjoy $1 Cole’s Breadsticks and $1 Pepsi drinks until one hour after the start of the game. Enjoy Jersey Card and Crazy Band giveaways for the kids, live music from Jaded 8, and a post-game open skate.

Jan. 1

P R O M O t I O N S the night of the game or at The Zone anytime during the store’s regular business hours can purchase a lower bowl ticket for just $10 - a savings of $7! Limit four tickets per card per person.

Post-Game Open skates: Dec. 5, 12, 26 and 31; Jan. 1 and 22; Feb. 5 and 20; March 5, 19 and 20.

fan 4 Packs: For select games, receive four tickets and $12 in concession cash for a great low price. Valid for games on Dec. 5, 12, 26 and 31; Jan. 1; Feb. 20; and March 20. Visit griffinshockey.com/f4p or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2.

Huntington Bank Post-Game Autograph sessions: Dec. 5 and 26; Jan. 1 and 22; Feb. 5 and 20; March 5 and 20.

Library Nights: For every Sunday and Wednesday home game, fans who present their Grand Rapids Public Library card or Kent District Library card at the Van Andel Arena box office on

MOs Corner Office presented by Michigan Office solutions: Located on the terrace level above section 118, this section provides the best seats in the house for groups of up to 30

people, with La-Z-Boy chairs and an array of unprecedented amenities. Call (616) 774-4585.

D-ZONE Nation presented by WGRD: D-ZONE Nation citizenship includes specially priced tickets to the seven primary D-Zone games of the season, $1 beer $1 hot dog in-seat wait service from 6-8 p.m., the official DZONE t-shirt (exclusive to seven-game citizens) and much more. New for 2010-11, seven-game D-ZONE citizens enjoy a lower price per ticket than single-game D-ZONE buyers and avoid service fees. Go to griffinshockey.com/dzone or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 3042.

All promotions and dates subject to change.

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By sponsoring a dog at Mackenzie's Animal Sanctuary, you are helping provide food, housing, training, compassion and veterinary care for a dog in need. As ENZI E CK A the Midwest's largest no-kill dog Sanctuary dedicated to helping abused, abandoned and neglected dogs, we hope you find comfort in knowing that every dollar you give Mackenzie's goes directly to the A T LS ANC care of the animal and not to euthanizing. Thank you for your generous support which enables us to help more dogs in need!

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Jamie Johnson feels fortunate to earn a living by playing a game that he loves.

Story and photos by Mark Newman

Griffins forward Jamie Johnson says he has always been a streaky scorer, but he’s doing his best to talk himself out of a slump.

He talks of his excitement about coming to Grand rapids with best pal Chris Minard aer both signed with the red Wings this past summer, how it’s the fulfillment of a long-held dream that sought to rejoin best friends who hadn’t played together since they first skated for the oshawa Generals in the oHL 10 years ago. as he speaks, he realizes this isn’t quite the way they had pictured the dream.

a year ago, Johnson scored 27 goals in 80 games for the rochester americans. Minard tallied 22 goals in only 40 games for the Springfield Falcons. Sixteen games into the Griffins’ 2010-11 season, each had one goal.

“We’re both trying to get out of (the slump),” Johnson said. “We’re trying different things to find the scoring touch. We talk about it a lot, maybe we talk about it too much. We know it will come, but it’s frustrating.

“We came here together and now we’re struggling together, so it would be nice if we somehow got out of it together. We’ve definitely had a slow start (individually), but there’s not as much pressure when the team is winning.” it’s not like Johnson hasn’t been in this situation before. Last season, he was scoreless in the first eight games, then recorded seven goals in the next eight games before going through another 10-game drought later in the year. “i don’t have an answer for it – it’s just one of those things,” Johnson said. “Last year we were in Syracuse when the coach told me to just go out and finish some hits and try to get into the game that way. i finally scored and then the goals started coming.”

He tells himself to keep shooting. “i’ve always been more of a setup guy anyway, looking to pass first usually. it’s probably a knock on me that i don’t shoot enough, and when you’re going through these things, you’ve got to shoot more.

“My dad always says ‘Shoot for the inside of the post.’ i don’t know how they’ll start going in.

Hopefully i’ll get a lucky one. Maybe i’ll have one go off me someway, somehow.” e Griffins were winning games even without Johnson and Minard scoring, so their teammates will welcome the day when the two start finding their way onto the scoresheet. it’ll certainly be a big relief for the pair.

“We’ve been great buddies over the years – we were in each other’s wedding parties and i was his best man,” Johnson said. “Chris was traded to oshawa midway during my first full season there and we just started hanging out.

“We lived a couple of hours away, but we went to each other’s house in the summertime and we became almost inseparable the whole next year.

We were always on the bus together, always doing something. We had a great time together.”

Johnson and Minard had been looking to play together for a long time.

“We both became free agents this summer and we have the same agent, so we made it pretty clear that we wanted to go somewhere together. We asked around and Detroit was definitely the best fit for both of us.”

Johnson’s previous AhL stops have been in Iowa, Bridgeport, Albany and Rochester.

32 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

From his standpoint, Johnson couldn’t imagine a better place to be.

“For me, it was pretty exciting,” he said. “To be able to say i signed with the red Wings was pretty cool. it’s an organization where you only think of the best. it’s such an honor to sign with them and then to go to their camp and you’re in awe playing on the same ice with (Pavel) Datsyuk and (Henrik) Zetterberg.” undraed in junior hockey, Johnson had been in previous nHL camps. While playing in the ECHL, he had been invited to training camp by Minnesota and Dallas. He had spent time in the new york islanders camp a few years ago.

Playing for the red Wings almost seemed unimaginable.

“Both Chris and i started at the bottom, playing in the East Coast,” Johnson said. “We both had to work our way up the ladder, which is tough to do when you’re not draed or signed to an nHL contract.

“Playing in the ECHL can be discouraging. you’re not making a lot of money – you’re basically playing for the love of the game. ere were good times and bad times, but i stuck with it and i’ve been rewarded the last couple of years. Looking back, i wouldn’t change it. e experience taught me a lot.”

Johnson played for the Louisiana iceGators and augusta Lynx. “i don’t know how much they know about hockey in the South, but they were pretty supportive,” he said. “it was a different experience, but i really enjoyed it.”

Johnson led the Rochester Americans in scoring last season.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 33

as an avid golfer, Johnson found the warmer weather to be a godsend. “you can golf year-round and the courses down there are in great shape,” he said. “Being able to watch the Masters and go to the par-3 tournament was awesome.”

He averaged better than a point per game in the ECHL, which earned him a promotion to the aHL. He bounced from iowa to Bridgeport to albany before his agent convinced him to spend the 2008-09 season in Finland.

“My agent thought it was in my best interests to go there for a year and it was a great experience,” said Johnson, who played on the same team as Griffins teammate ilari Filppula. “i think it helped my game because the skill level there is so incredible. it made me a better player.”

He was accompanied by his fiancée Lisa – now his wife – and they spent a lot of time with Kyle Klubertanz, the other north american import. “He was always hanging out with us and when her sister was done with school, she came to visit. e two of them just hit it off and they’ve been together ever since. ey now have a two-month-old baby and plan to get married next summer.”

Last season was spent in rochester, the home of the primary affiliate of the Florida Panthers. “We thought Florida was a good choice because the team looked thin at center,” he said. “i played on a line with Mike york and Jeff Taffe, and we just clicked.”

Johnson was the team’s leading scorer. He waited for a call-up to the nHL, but it never happened. “i have no regrets about going there,” he said. “i’m sure they had their reasons for calling someone else.”

Still, he admits that he longs for the day that he can pull an nHL jersey over his head for a regular season game.

“Like anybody, i’d love to be able to play in the nHL, even if just for a game to say that i did it,” he said. “it’s still a goal because it would be an unbelievable accomplishment, but my primary goal now is winning. We have a pretty exciting team here and i’d love to help the Griffins win a championship.”

Johnson is perfectly content to keep playing and giving it everything he’s got. He works hard, but it’s not really work.

“We’re pretty spoiled to be able to play hockey for a living, so i don’t even see it as a job,” he said.

“When you go through tough stretches and you start feeling sorry for yourself, you have to remind yourself that we’re so lucky to be doing this and that it’s just a game.” and so he laces up the skates, night aer night, hoping it’s the one that might signal the start of a scoring streak. if his stick remains as cold as the ice below his skates, he’ll be happy to have a puck bounce off his backside into the net.

He’ll gladly take a goal anytime, anyhow. “it can be frustrating, but it’s part of hockey,” he said. “if it was easy, it wouldn’t be any fun.”

two seasons ago, Johnson played on the same Finnish club as current teammate Ilari Filppula (#15).

34 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

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2010-2011

roster

19

18

GREG AMADiO Defenseman 6-2, 230 lbs.

Born: 5/13/81 sault ste. Marie, Ont.

8

JOAKiM ANDERssON Center 6-2, 205 lbs.

Born: 2/5/89 Munkedal, sweden

15 CORY EMMERTON Center 6-0, 190 lbs.

Born: 6/1/88 st. Thomas, Ont.

28 sERGEi KOLOsOV Defenseman 6-4, 217 lbs.

Born: 5/22/86 Novopolotsk, Belarus 36 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

4

17 WiLLiE COETZEE Right Wing 5-10, 185 lbs.

Born: 11/7/90 Maple Ridge, B.C.

33 iLARi fiLPPULA forward 5-11, 189 lbs.

Born: 11/5/81 Vantaa, finland

32

10 DOUG JANiK Defenseman 6-1, 214 lbs.

Born: 3/26/80 Agawam, Mass.

31 BRiAN LAsHOff Defenseman 6-3, 208 lbs.

Born: 7/16/90 Albany, N.Y.

TRAVis EHRHARDT Defenseman 5-11, 204 lbs.

Born: 4/12/89 Calgary, Alta.

JAMiE JOHNsON Center 5-10, 185 lbs.

Born: 1/23/82 London, Ont.

35 JOEY MacDONALD Goaltender 6-0, 197 lbs.

Born: 2/7/80 Pictou, N.s.

THOMAs McCOLLUM Goaltender 6-2, 210 lbs.

Born: 12/7/89 Amherst, N.Y.

If all tic tickets k ets are no not ot sold out by J January anuary 5, 20 2011, 11, the drawing will be held on a future date set by the t commissioner commissioner.. The $1,000,000 $1,0 0 0,0 0 0 priz prize e winner winners s will recei receive ve their priz prize e in annual payments paymen nts over over a 20-year period unless, within 60 days from the date they claim their prize, prize, they request the Cash Option method of payment. Odds of winning the $1,000,000: 100,000; $100,000: 50,000; $500: $100: 150.

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Raffle tickets purchased $25,000 R affle tic kets purc h hased on or before 12/28/2010 12/28/2010 will automatically be entered into at least one bonus s drawing. Odds of being selected as a winner of one of the seven $25,0 00 tickets each you’ve bonus drawings depend d on the total number of tic k ets sold by the deadline for eac h drawing. If you bet more than you can afford afford to lose, you’ ve got a problem. Call 1-800-270-7117 1 -80 0-270-7117 forr confidential help.

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#18 joakim ANDERSSON

Photo by Mark Newman

#33 doug JANIK

26

14 DEREK MEECH Defenseman 5-11, 205 lbs.

Born: 4/21/84 Winnipeg, Man.

9

1 fRANCis PARE Right Wing 5-10, 195 lbs.

Born: 6/30/87 Lemoyne, Que.

7

JAN MURsAK Right Wing 5-11, 192 lbs.

Born: 1/20/88 Maribor, slovenia

3 JORDAN PEARCE Goaltender 6-1, 195 lbs.

Born: 10/10/86 Anchorage, Alaska

20 BRENDAN sMiTH Defenseman 6-2, 195 lbs.

Born: 2/8/89 Mimico, Ont.

22

13

CHRis MiNARD Left Wing 6-1, 205 lbs.

Born: 11/18/81 Owen sound, Ont.

BRANDON sTRAUB forward/Defenseman 6-4, 225 lbs.

Born: 3/1/83 Colorado springs, Colo.

JORDAN OWENs Left Wing 6-0, 193 lbs.

Born: 5/1/86 Toronto, Ont.

12 LOGAN PYETT Defenseman 5-10, 195 lbs.

Born: 5/26/88 Regina, sask.

25

BRENT RAEDEKE Center 6-0, 200 lbs.

Born: 5/29/90 Regina, sask.

27 JAMiE TARDif Right Wing 6-0, 200 lbs.

Born: 1/23/85 Welland, Ont.

TOMAs TATAR Left Wing 5-10, 186 lbs.

Born: 12/1/90 ilava, slovakia

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 37

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Defenseman Logan Pyett hopes being in the right place at the right time will land him a chance to play in the nHL. Story and photos by Mark newman

Logan Pyett was proud to join a rather select group of players last season. e 22-year-old defenseman was the lone Griffin to appear in all 80 games a year ago, making him one of just 18 players in team history to play in every game of the regular season. at feat is significant for several reasons, starting with the fact that it demonstrates the coach’s confidence by putting him into the lineup on a daily basis. it also underscores his durability, meaning no games were missed because of injury or illness. Finally, it shows his determination to be on the ice day aer day.

“it was definitely nice to be in there for all 80 games,” said Pyett, who had been a healthy scratch several times during his rookie pro season in 2008-09, when he appeared in a total of 61 games. if nothing else, the number of games played increased the opportunities for Pyett to improve his play. When the Detroit red Wings recalled defensemen Doug Janik and Jakub Kindl last season, it opened the door for Pyett to prove he was capable of raising his game another notch.

“With the added responsibility and added ice time, i had to step up and that’s easier to do when the coaches are confident in you, which in turn helped raise my own confidence,” he said. “it helped me go out there and play my game and not worry about anything else.”

Pyett had struggled during a rough rookie season. Making the jump from junior hockey to the pros can be especially difficult for young defensemen, who too oen are caught looking for a place to hide aer their mistakes end up in the back of the net.

Looking back, Pyett realizes that he had plenty to learn. “i knew the hockey was going to be better because the guys are bigger, stronger and faster, but i didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “i thought i was prepared and came into training camp in decent shape, but my first year was a big learning experience.”

While his rookie season was hardly a disaster, there was plenty of room for improvement.

“During your first year, you’re not sure what’s going on,” he said. “you make a couple of mistakes here and there, and then you start questioning yourself.”

So when Griffins head coach Curt Fraser and assistant coach Jim Paek spoke, Pyett paid attention. “ey obviously know the game, so i listened and they were able to help my confidence.”

He took their prodding and pointers to heart.

Determined to rebound from a less-than-perfect rookie campaign, he looked like a different player when he showed up for the start of last season. “it was all about the confidence thing for me,” he said. “aer my first year, i was better prepared in terms of how to play defensively and be responsible in my own zone, and i think that helped my confidence at the other end of the rink. i was able to jump into the offense and be a lot less worried about making mistakes.” in essence, Pyett learned that he needed to be more positionally sound in every zone on the ice. in the offensive zone, it meant keeping his feet Pyett led all Griffins defensemen with nine goals last season.

42 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 43

“you always want to improve on your production from one year to the next, but the main goal is to help the team make the playoffs,” he said. “Sure, i’d like to get 10 or more goals and at least 30 points, but if the team is winning, those goals aren’t so important.” in reality, the one statistic to which Pyett pays particular attention is his plus-minus rating. e stat measures the team’s goal differential when a specific player is on the ice for even-strength or shorthanded goals.

Pyett, who had a plus-7 rating last season, has started 2010-11 in negative territory. “as a collective five (players), if you’re above that even number, you’re probably doing something right,” he said. “i’d like to always be a plus player.”

His success last season drew the attention of the red Wings’ brass, who rewarded his play by making him a “black ace” during the first round of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. “it was a fantastic experience,” Pyett said. “Just being able to watch and listen during that first round was a great learning experience. it puts you in the position where you know the program should they ever decide to bring you up. Plus, it was great for my confidence.”

Photo Credit: Getty Images

moving to give forwards the option of moving to the point. in the neutral zone, he learned to leave gaps so as not to get caught flat-footed and find himself beaten by a fleet-footed forechecker. in the defensive zone, he learned to be in the right spot in order to pressure the puck and take away time and space from opposing forwards.

“Being the size that i am (5-foot-10, 195 pounds), my physical game is not as important,” he said. “obviously, you want to try to be physical when you can, but for me, it’s all about being in the right place at the right time.”

He watched red Wings defenseman Brian rafalski in camp and on television, observing how the veteran blueliner played in his zone as well as how he pushed the puck up the ice. “it’s important to move the puck quickly – that’s what my job is supposed to be,” Pyett said. “i need to be moving the puck up to the forwards and joining the rush when i’m able. i have to become smarter with and without the puck.” e results spoke for themselves – he more than doubled his point production and increased his goals from three during his rookie season to a total of nine last year. He hopes to further boost those numbers this season.

Pyett was a member of Canada’s gold medal-winning team at the 2008 World Junior Championship.

44 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Pyett certainly hopes a Detroit call-up is in his future, but he knows he will have to be patient.

Having watched Kindl and Jonathan Ericsson pay their dues in Grand rapids, he knows the red Wings are planning for him to follow a similar route. “i’m just trying to bide my time from here and learn as much as i can, so i can hopefully make that step if they need me,� he said. “i know it won’t be easy and there’s still a lot of learning to be done if i want to get myself prepared.�

So he spends time on and o the ice, doing the little things that he hopes will increase his chances – whether it’s working out in the summer back home in Saskatchewan with Logan Stephenson of the adirondack Phantoms and Tim Spencer of the Binghamton Senators, or listening to tips oered by recently retired defenseman Chris Chelios in his new role as a red Wings advisor. “i have to do everything i can to convince Detroit to give me a shot,â€?

Pyett said. in other words, his positioning must be perfect.

Pyett was the only GriďŹƒns player to appear in all 80 games last season.

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Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 45

The Griffins have more ways than ever to help you stay connected with your team, both during games and when you are away from Van Andel Arena.

• Check out our new blog, Half Eagle, Half Lio n, All Griffin, for a daily co mpilation of links to ne ws, videos and features ab out the Griffins and ou r NHL alumni gathered from dozens of source s across the Web. Go to grgriffins.wordpress.c om.

e official Download th ne and Griffins iPho , featuring p Android ap ster, team schedule, ro formation and arena in isit: and more. V . ey.com/app griffinshock

to Griff at 88188.

Text your song requests reading: Simply send a message t)” rtis e/a titl “Griff (song st to play be r ou do ’ll we to 88188 and e. your song during the gam

46 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

We want to see your photos from the game! Take pictures with your camera phone and send them to us at photos@griffinshockey.com.

Then after the game, check out rtag.mobi/griffins to see the game from other fans’ perspectives. You can also email us pictures from your digital cameras after the game. We’ll be awarding prizes for the best pictures, so snap away and send us your best.

Let your friends know that you’re at the game and that they are missing ou t if they’re not here too – check in when you get he re on Foursquare or Face book. Check out our deal on Foursquare while you’re here.

For our fans who use Twitter, make sure you use the hashtag #LetsGoGriffins when tweeting from the games. Your tweets will be projected onto an exterior screen near the SE corner of the Van Andel Arena using technology provided by GR Computer Solutions.

Most importantly, introduce yourself to your fellow fans sitting around you, have a good time, and cheer your hearts out for the Griffins!

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 47

(rough november 23, 2010)

GRIFFINS ALL-tIME LEADERS GAMES PLAYED 1. Travis richards...............655 2. Michel Picard .................364 3. ryan oulahen.................302 4. Darryl Bootland .............293 5. Matt Ellis .........................282 6. Dave van Drunen ..........280 7. Derek King......................264 8. Evan McGrath ................262 9. Jamie Tardif.....................257 10. Derek Meech ..................248

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GOALS Michel Picard .................158 Kip Miller..........................75 Derek King........................73 Darryl Bootland ...............72 Matt Ellis ...........................69 Jiri Hudler .........................65 Tomas Kopecky ................63 Donald MacLean..............62 Slava Butsayev ..................61 Travis richards.................56

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ASSISTS Michel Picard .................222 Travis richards...............182 Kip Miller........................133 Derek King......................130 Jiri Hudler .......................114 Glen Metropolit................88 Jeff nelson .........................87 Matt Ellis ...........................84 Tomas Kopecky ................75 Ed Patterson......................75

SINGLE SEASON tOP tEN POINTS Michel Picard................101 .....................1996-97 Jiri Hudler .......................96 .....................2005-06 Jeff nelson .......................89 .....................1996-97 Donald MacLean............88 .....................2005-06 Michel Picard..................84 .....................2002-03 Derek King ....................*83 .....................2000-01 Mark Mowers..................81 .....................2002-03 Glen Metropolit..............81 .....................1998-99 Darren Haydar................80 .....................2008-09 Eric Manlow....................73 .....................2005-06

ASSISTS 1. Jiri Hudler .......................60 .....................2005-06 2. Jeff nelson .......................55 .....................1996-97 Michel Picard..................55 .....................1996-97 4. Glen Metropolit..............53 .....................1998-99 5. Michel Picard..................52 .....................2002-03 6. Derek King ......................51 .....................2000-01 7. valtteri Filppula..............50 .....................2005-06 8. Darren Haydar................49 .....................2008-09 9. Eric Manlow....................48 .....................2005-06 Stacy roest ......................48 .....................2002-03

GOALS Donald MacLean ..........*56 .....................2005-06 Michel Picard..................46 .....................1996-97 Jiri Hudler .......................36 .....................2005-06 Mark Mowers..................34 .....................2002-03 Jeff nelson .......................34 .....................1996-97 6. Slava Butsayev.................33 .....................2000-01 Michel Picard..................33 .....................1999-00 8. Jeremy Williams .............32 .....................2009-10 Tomas Kopecky ..............32 .....................2005-06 Michel Picard..................32 .....................2002-03 Derek King ......................32 .....................2000-01 *Led League

PENALTY MINUTES Darryl Bootland ...........390 .....................2005-06 Matt ruchty ..................364 .....................1996-97 Chris neil ......................354 .....................2000-01 Wade Brookbank..........337 .....................2001-02 Darryl Bootland ...........336 .....................2004-05 Darcy Simon .................327 .....................1996-97 Peter vandermeer ........310 .....................2004-05 Bruce ramsay ...............310 .....................1997-98 9. Bruce ramsay ...............306 .....................1996-97 10. Chris neil ......................301 .....................1999-00

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GRIFFINS’ ALL-tIME LEADERS IN GOALtENDING WINS

JOEY MacDONALD (90)

JIMMY hOWARD (90)

48 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

MIKE FOUNtAIN (55)

MARC LAMOthE (54)

DANIEL LARSSON (45)

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and Fifth third Bank will share in the opening of the

SAVOR... savorâ&#x20AC;ŚGrand Rapids, the food service provider for the Van Andel Arena is teaming up with fifth Third Bank in the operation of the Restaurant located on the lower level of the Arena. This new opportunity is for all patrons to enjoy the delicious food and atmosphere that the fifth Third Bank Vault has to present.

Please join us in celebrating this partnership by cutting out the coupon at right. Be sure to make your reservations in advance as space is limited.

50 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

SAVOR...

Coupon Valid for One Free Sandwich with Purchase of a Sandwich at equal or lesser value.

Advance reservations required.

Call 616.742.6453 or e-mail 53BankVault@smggr.com Expires 12/31/10 Must present original coupon to server at time of order Not valid for alcohol

e aHL’s Hartford-based franchise has adopted a new identity.

OF A MOVE Player movement and even a few coaching changes are inevitable occurrences during the course of a hockey season. it is rather unusual, however, for a team to change its identity aer the puck has dropped on a new campaign. as strange as it may seem, the Hartford Wolf Pack were officially rebranded as the Connecticut Whale on nov. 27.

Teams in the world of professional hockey have folded or moved in midseason before – the Dayton owls relocated to Grand rapids during the 1977-78 iHL season, for example – but it’s rare that a franchise changes its name and jerseys midstream. e man behind the new face of the Hartford franchise is Howard Baldwin, an american entrepreneur and film producer who founded the new England Whalers ice hockey franchise in the old WHa and has previously owned parts of the Minnesota north Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins franchises.

Baldwin is a bit of a showman, having made a name for himself in Hollywood as the producer of the academy awardnominated Ray as well as the

hockey-themed film Mystery, Alaska. He is currently working on an untitled film about the life of baseball star Jackie robinson.

Hartford Hockey LLC, a Hartford-based sports marketing and event firm founded by Baldwin, recently signed a multi-year agreement to take control of the business operations of the Wolf Pack, the new york rangers’ american Hockey League affiliate.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 51

under the terms of the agreement, Baldwin’s group is responsible for the team’s day-to-day business operations, including marketing, community relations, sponsorship and ticket sales. Madison Square Garden (the rangers’ parent organization) retains ownership of the franchise and will continue to be responsible for all hockey related decisions, including coaching and player development.

Baldwin made the decision to give a new name to the enterprise to signal a new direction for the franchise.

“We wanted a name that reflected a fresh start and new look for this new era of Hartford hockey while still commemorating our rich hockey tradition,” Baldwin explained. “e Hartford Whalers have always been affectionately referred to as ‘e Whale’, so it’s a very familiar reference for Hartford hockey fans.

“With the name ‘Whale’ we will begin our own new tradition.”

Baldwin also explained the decision to reposition the team as Connecticut versus Hartford, where the team will continue to play in the xL Center.

“While we are proud to call Hartford our home”, he said, “we have chosen ‘Connecticut’ for our team name as it symbolizes our commitment to broaden our fan base beyond Hartford County.” a new logo was adopted to put a new face on the franchise.

“We wanted to not only incorporate our traditional Whaler green, but focus on the whale, the official animal of the state of Connecticut,” Baldwin said. “We have created a fun logo that not only captures the family-oriented approach of the Whale, but also represents the competitive nature of Coach (Ken) Gernander’s Whale team.” one of the first official announcements out of the re-branded organization was the news that the Connecticut Whale’s home game on

Feb. 19, 2011 would be played outdoors against the Providence Bruins at rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. e 40,000-seat rentschler Field is home to the university of Connecticut Huskies football team. e game will be the second outdoor event in the history of the aHL, and the current league single-game attendance record was set at the first, a contest between the Syracuse Crunch and the Binghamton Senators on Feb. 20, 2010 at the new york State Fairgrounds that drew 21,508. e Whale-Bruins game will be the marquee attraction at Whalers Hockey Fest 2011, which runs Feb. 11-20 at rentschler Field. “i challenge the hockey fans of Connecticut to smash the all-time aHL attendance record, to set a league standard that will stand for a long time,” Baldwin said.

Meanwhile, the introduction of the Whale spells an end of an era in Hartford aer a 13-year run for the Wolf Pack. e change was a bit bittersweet for head coach Ken Gernander, whose 14-year playing career saw him spend the last 11 in the new york rangers organization with their affiliates in Binghamton (1994-97) and Hartford (1997-2005), and Bob Crawford, the voice of the Wolf Pack who has missed only three games in 13-plus seasons while doubling as the team’s director of public relations.

"For the final time," Crawford said in a pregame ceremony before the Wolf Pack’s last home game before the birth of the Whale, "(here’s) the team you know and love as the Hartford Wolf Pack."

Jeremy Williams and Kris newbury, both members of the 2009-10 Grand rapids Griffins, are the team’s leading scorers. nHL veteran Wade redden is the team’s top-scoring defenseman.

“We wanted a name that

reflected a fresh start and new

look for this new era of Hartford hockey...”

52 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 53

c o m m u n i t y

c r e a s e

scoring goals for charity e puck dents the twine, the goal light flashes, the horn blares, the crowd explodes, and a jubilant group of Griffins are on their way to another victory. e real winners, however, are local charities. rough the Griffins’ Charitable Goals program, community-minded businesses throughout West Michigan team up with Griffins players to raise money for various charities. Every time the player scores a goal, records a point or achieves another statistical benchmark, the company makes a donation toward the mutually agreed upon charity. “is is shaping up to be a record-breaking year for our Charitable Goals program,” said Bob Kaser, the Griffins’ vice president of community relations and broadcasting.

“Many of our longtime partners are back this season, and we’ve added new companies such as DK Security, which will make donations for each win and shutout, and Leo’s, whose $100 donation to the van andel institute for each Derek Meech goal will be matched by Derek. “as of mid-november, our players and partners have already generated $3,200, putting us on pace to raise more than $17,000 for some tremendous local organizations. at’s a real testament to both the generosity of Grand rapids’ business community and the strength of our team this season,” added Kaser.

54 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

this year’s partnerships anD recipients incluDe: Joakim Andersson and fidelity investments $50 per goal to Susan G. Komen For the Cure Grand Rapids

Logan Pyett and Comcast $50 per goal to Hospice of Michigan

Cory Emmerton and fox Motors $100 per goal to the Griffins Youth Foundation

Brendan smith and Dean foods $50 per goal to Big Brothers Big Sisters

Jamie Johnson and Centennial securities $50 per goal to the Pursuing a Dream Foundation

Jamie Tardif and J & H family stores $100 per goal to Kids’ Food Basket

Derek Meech and Leo’s $200 per goal to the Van Andel Institute

DK security $50 per win to the Salvation Army $500 per shutout to God’s Kitchen

Jordan Owens and Laminin Medical Products $100 per goal to KidsGames

To become a Charitable Goals partner, please call (616) 774-4585 ext. 3027.

c o m m u n i t y

c r e a s e

2010-11 GRIFFINS

COMMUNItY EVENtS Jan. 22-23, 2011 Great Skate Winterfest - Rosa Parks Circle Celebrate winter downtown and skate with Griffins players, all to benefit the Griffins youth Foundation! Enjoy a day full of winter-inspired events, sports demonstrations and family activities, followed by a 24-hour skating marathon with Griffins players.

Feb. 22, 2011 Griffins vs. Sled Wings Sled hockey Game – Griff’s Icehouse Watch the Griffins play their sixth annual sled hockey game against the Grand rapids Sled Wings, a talented team of physically challenged teenagers sponsored by the Griffins youth Foundation and Mary Free Bed rehabilitation Hospital. Proceeds will again benefit both the foundation and the Sled Wings.

Feb. 23, 2011 Griffins Wine Gala – Noto’s Old World Italian Restaurant Enjoy an evening of elegance with Griffins players and staff and local celebrities. is inaugural $100-per-person event features wine, a gourmet buffet, live music and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit Michigan State university’s College of Human Medicine Scholarship Fund.

For information on these and other events, please visit griffinshockey.com.

Save the Date!

Vows At The Van February F ebruar uaryy 18, 2011

If you If you are are interested interested in getting married married during during a Griffins Griffins game or would like mor information on how how to propose propose at a moree information G riffins game please contact beklund@griffinshockey.com. beklund@griffinshockey iffinshockey.com. .com.

Griffins

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 55

JOIN THE

GRIFFINS KIDS CLUB!

Membership for kids 12 and under includes: • Official Kids Club t-shirt • Free ticket to a Griffins game • Members-only Kids Club parties • Monthly newsletters and contests • And10SMB206_GRAND_RAPIDS_AD_PRESS.pdf more!

1

For more information, visit the Griffins Kids Club Booth located at the top of the stairs near section 101, go to griffinshockey.com, or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 3038.

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NhL AFFILIAtIONS ottawa Senators 1999-2002, Detroit red Wings 2002-Present

SEASON RECORDS (IhL 1996-2001, AhL 2001- Present) YEAR 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

GP 82 82 82 82 82 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80

W 40 38 34 51 53 42 48 44 41 55 37 31 43 34

L 30 31 40 22 22 27 22 28 35 20 32 41 25 39

T 11 8 8 –

OTL 4 0 2 0 2 1 6 2 6 3

SOL 12 13 8 9 3 2 4 5 6 6 4

PTS 92 89 76 111 113 95 106 96 86 115 85 70 98 75

GF 244 225 256 254 279 217 240 195 200 323 226 210 255 244

GA 246 242 281 200 196 178 177 166 200 247 244 245 226 265

FINISH 10 of 19 11 of 18 15 of 16 2 of 13 1 of 11 4 of 27 2 of 27 5 of 28 17 of 28 1 of 27 17 of 27 25 of 29 8 of 29 26 of 29

G R I F F I N S A L L - S tA R S 1996-97

Jeff Nelson, Michel Picard, Pokey Reddick

1997-98

Ian Gordon, Kerry huffman, Michel Picard

1998-99

Robert Petrovicky, Maxim Spiridonov

1999-00

John Gruden, Jani hurme, Kevin Miller, Petr Schastlivy

2000-01

Mike Fountain, Joel Kwiatkowski, travis Richards, todd White

2001-02

Chris Bala, John Gruden, Kip Miller, Martin Prusek, Petr Schastlivy

2002-03

Mark Mowers, Marc Lamothe

2003-04

Jiri hudler, Niklas Kronwall, travis Richards, Nathan Robinson

2004-05

Niklas Kronwall, Joey MacDonald

2005-06

Valtteri Filppula, Jiri hudler, Donald MacLean

2006-07

Kip Miller, Derek Meech

2007-08

Jonathan Ericsson, Jimmy howard

2008-09 2009-10

Jakub Kindl, Daniel Larsson Patrick Rissmiller

58 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

2005 All-Star Joey MacDonald Photo by: Jim McIsaac

2008 All-Star Jimmy howard Photo by: JustSports Photograph y

SEASON LEADERS

(* = Led League)

SCORING 1996-97 . . . . . Michel Picard ...........................101 points 1997-98 . . . . . Michel Picard.............................69 points 1998-99 . . . . . Glen Metropolit .........................81 points 1999-00 . . . . . Michel Picard.............................68 points 2000-01 . . . . . Derek King...............................83 points* 2001-02 . . . . . Kip Miller ..................................56 points 2002-03 . . . . . Michel Picard.............................84 points 2003-04 . . . . . Michel Picard.............................54 points 2004-05 . . . . . Niklas Kronwall .........................53 points 2005-06 . . . . . Jiri Hudler .................................96 points 2006-07 . . . . . Kip Miller ..................................72 points 2007-08 . . . . . Carl Corazzini.............................60 points 2008-09 . . . . . Darren Haydar ...........................80 points 2009-10 . . . . . Jeremy Williams.........................63 points GOALS 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

. . . . . Michel Picard.......................................46 . . . . . Michel Picard.......................................28 . . . . . Glen Metropolit ...................................28 . . . . . Michel Picard.......................................33 . . . . . Slava Butsayev ....................................33 . . . . . Petr Schastlivy ....................................22 . . . . . Mark Mowers.......................................34 . . . . . Kevin Miller.........................................27 . . . . . Eric Manlow.........................................21 . . . . . Donald MacLean.................................56* . . . . . Matt Ellis ............................................26 . . . . . Carl Corazzini.......................................24 . . . . . Darren Haydar .....................................31 . . . . . Jeremy Williams ..................................32

PENALTY MINUTES 1996-97 . . . . . Matt Ruchty ......................................364 1997-98 . . . . . Bruce Ramsay ....................................310 1998-99 . . . . . Jared Bednar .....................................220 1999-00 . . . . . Chris Neil...........................................301 2000-01 . . . . . Chris Neil...........................................354 2001-02 . . . . . Wade Brookbank ...............................337 2002-03 . . . . . Ryan Barnes ......................................151 2003-04 . . . . . Ryan Barnes, Darryl Bootland .............175 2004-05 . . . . . Darryl Bootland .................................336 2005-06 . . . . . Darryl Bootland .................................390 2006-07 . . . . . Darryl Bootland .................................222 2007-08 . . . . . Kyle Quincey......................................149 2008-09 . . . . . Aaron Downey ...................................126 2009-10 . . . . . Paul Crosty ........................................170 GOALTENDING WINS 1996-97 . . . . . Pokey Reddick ..........................(30-14-10) 1997-98 . . . . . Ian Gordon.................................(23-16-4) 1998-99 . . . . . Neil Little ..................................(18-21-5) 1999-00 . . . . . Jani Hurme ................................(29-15-4) 2000-01 . . . . . Mike Fountain ..........................(34-10-6)* 2001-02 . . . . . Martin Prusek..............................(18-8-5) 2002-03 . . . . . Marc Lamothe ..........................(33-18-8)* 2003-04 . . . . . Joey MacDonald .........................(22-12-3) 2004-05 . . . . . Joey MacDonald .........................(34-29-2) 2005-06 . . . . . Jimmy Howard .............................(27-6-2) 2006-07 . . . . . Jimmy Howard ...........................(21-21-3) 2007-08 . . . . . Jimmy Howard ...........................(21-28-2) 2008-09 . . . . . Daniel Larsson ...........................(22-12-2) 2009-10 . . . . . Daniel Larsson ...........................(23-24-2)

2008 All-Star Jonathan Ericsson Photo by: JustSports Photograph y

2004 All-Star Jiri hudler Photo by: BBS Dave Kaye

2005 All-Star Niklas Kronwall Photo by: Jim McIsaac

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 59

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APIDS GRAND R

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Located at West Michigan Meijer stores, www.startickets.com or 616.222.4000 THE ZONE Located on the West side of Van Andel Arena ONLINE griffinshockey.com Seats may not be available in all price categories.

For season, game-plan and group ticket information, call 616.774.4585 or 1.800.2.HOCKEY.

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Keep your team healthy.

At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, we believe that being physically active and eating right are vital to a long, healthy life — especially for your family. It’s why we fund programs that encourage families and educate kids to eat right, stay fit and make smart decisions about health. It’s also why we created an online community devoted to a healthier future for Michigan. Because good health isn’t just about your personal health, it’s about the health of your community, your business and even Michigan’s health care system.

To join the conversation, just go to aHealthierMichigan.org.

Leading Michigan to a healthier future.

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Kevyn Adams

17 18 19

Pavol Demitra 3/17/97 STL at PHX Kevyn Adams 10/1/97 TOR vs. WSH Tyler Moss 10/28/97 CGY vs. PIT Michel Picard 1/6/98 STL at SJ Jeff Nelson 10/10/98 NSH vs. FLA Patrick Traverse 10/10/98 OTT at COL Mark Greig 1/7/99 PHI vs. NYI Radim Bicanek 2/1/99 OTT at VAN Robert Petrovicky 2/15/99 TB at NYI Andrei Vasilyev 3/5/99 PHX vs. DET Todd Hlushko 4/25/99 PIT vs. NJ Patrick Lalime 10/2/99 Ott at PhI Glen Metropolit 10/2/99 WSH at FLA Kevin Miller 10/31/99 OTT at ATL Karel Rachunek 10/31/99 OTT at ATL Erich Goldmann 11/11/99 OTT vs. NSH Yves Sarault 11/20/99 OTT at NJ John Gruden 11/30/99 OTT vs. CHI Mike Fountain 12/3/99 OTT at NJ

20 Dave Van Drunen 12/13/99 OTT at TOR 21 Petr Schastlivy 1/3/00 OTT vs. NJ 22 John Emmons 1/6/00 OTT vs. PHX 23 Slava Butsayev 1/28/00 OTT at BUF 24 Aris Brimanis 2/13/00 NYI at NYR 25 Dieter Kochan 3/28/00 TB vs. DAL 26 Jani Hurme 4/9/00 OTT vs. TB 27 Shane Hnidy 10/5/00 OTT at BOS 28 Donald MacLean 10/14/00 TOR vs. OTT 29 David Oliver 11/4/00 OTT vs. CBJ 30 Jamie Rivers 11/12/00 OTT at CAR 31 Sean Gagnon 11/26/00 OTT at NYR 32 Joel Bouchard 11/29/00 PHX at COL 33 Mike Crowley 12/8/00 ANA at MIN 34 Ivan Ciernik 1/23/01 OTT at NYI 35 Darren Rumble 2/6/01 STL at COL 36 Joel Kwiatkowski 2/19/01 OTT at BUF 37 todd White 2/19/01 Ott at BUF 38 Chris Neil 10/3/01 Ott at tOR

39 Toni Dahlman 1/3/02 OTT vs. WSH 40 Steve Martins 1/11/02 OTT at FLA 41 Kip Miller 1/17/02 NYI at SJ 42 Jody Hull 2/4/02 OTT at TB 43 Dmitry Afanasenkov 2/6/02 TB at FLA 44 Simon Lajeunesse 3/7/02 OTT at SJ 45 Martin Prusek 3/23/02 OTT vs. ATL 46 Chris Bala 3/27/02 OTT at NYI 47 Neil Little 3/28/02 PHI at CAR 48 Josh Langfeld 3/30/02 OTT vs. TB 49 Gaetan Royer 4/1/02 TB vs. NYR 50 Jason Spezza 10/24/02 Ott at BOS 51 Sean Avery 10/29/02 DEt vs. SJ 52 Jason Doig 12/3/02 WSH at PIT 53 Jason Williams 12/5/02 DET at PHX 54 Patrick Boileau 12/19/02 DET vs. DAL 55 Stacy Roest 2/20/03 DET vs. EDM 56 Wade Brookbank 10/9/03 NSH vs. ANA 57 Julien Vauclair 10/25/03 OTT at MTL 58 Jiri hudler 10/29/03 DEt vs. StL

68 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Kyle Quincey

Mark Eaton

Jimmy

Since their inception in 1996, the Griffins have sent 111 players on to the National Hockey League, 13 of whom have gone on to win the Stanley Cup. In fact, a Griffins alumnus has had his name engraved on the Cup each of the last three years and in five of the last six seasons. Last June, Chicago's Tomas Kopecky became the first former Griffin to win his second Stanley Cup. In chronological order, here are the 16 goalies and 95 skaters who have donned an NHL sweater aer playing for Grand Rapids, along with the dates of their NHL debuts/returns.

59 Curtis Joseph 10/30/03 DET at NSH 60 Darryl Bootland 11/8/03 DET vs. NSH 61 Mark Mowers 11/19/03 DET vs. CBJ 62 Nathan Robinson 11/28/03 DET vs. NYI 63 Blake Sloan 12/4/03 DAL at LA 64 Niklas Kronwall 12/10/03 DEt at BUF 65 Ryan Barnes 12/15/03 DET vs. FLA 66 Chris Kelly 2/5/04 Ott vs. tOR 67 Marc Lamothe 2/23/04 DET at EDM 68 Anders Myrvold 2/26/04 DET at CGY 69 Mathieu Chouinard 2/29/04 LA at ANA 70 Brett Lebda 10/5/05 DEt vs. StL 71 Mark Eaton 10/5/05 NSh vs. SJ 72 Chris Osgood 10/29/05 DEt at ChI 73 Kyle Quincey 11/25/05 DEt at ANA 74 Jimmy howard 11/28/05 DEt at LA 75 Valtteri Filppula 12/15/05 DEt at FLA 76 Rob Collins 12/17/05 NYI vs. COL 77 Manny Legace 1/5/06 DET vs. STL

78 David Gove 1/31/06 CAR at MTL 79 tomas Kopecky 2/28/06 DEt at SJ 80 Alexandre Giroux 3/25/06 NYR at TB 81 Joey MacDonald 10/19/06 DET at SJ 82 Derek Meech 12/7/06 DET vs. STL 83 Matt Ellis 12/18/06 DEt at CBJ 84 Matt Hussey 1/26/07 DET at STL 85 Sheldon Brookbank 2/6/07 NSh at PIt 86 Danny Syvret 2/27/07 EDM vs.

PhX 87 Mark Hartigan 11/29/07 DET vs. TB 88 Drew MacIntyre 12/13/07 VAN at SJ 89 Peter Vandermeer 2/10/08 PHX vs. NSH 90 Jonathan Ericsson 2/22/08 DEt at CGY 91 Garrett Stafford 2/23/08 DEt at VAN 92 Darren helm 3/13/08 DEt vs. DAL 93 Mattias Ritola 3/15/08 DEt vs. NSh 94 Clay Wilson 3/25/08 CBJ at NSH 95 Darren McCarty 3/28/08 DET vs. STL 96 Krys Kolanos 11/4/08 MIN at SJ

97 Landon Wilson 11/22/08 DAL vs. ANA 98 Bryan Helmer 11/28/08 WSH vs. MTL 99 Chris Chelios 12/13/08 DET at PHX 100 Aaron Downey 1/29/09 DET vs. DAL 101 Justin Abdelkader 1/31/09 DEt at WSh 102 Ville Leino 1/31/09 DEt at WSh 103 Aaron Gagnon 10/16/09 DAL vs. BOS 104 Scott Parse 10/24/09 LA at PhX 105 Doug Janik 11/3/09 DEt vs. BOS 106 Ryan Keller 11/25/09 OTT at NJ 107 Jakub Kindl 12/3/09 DEt vs. EDM 108 Kris Newbury 12/14/09 DET vs. PHX 109 Darren Haydar 2/10/10 COL vs. ATL 110 Andreas Lilja 3/1/10 DEt at COL 111 Jeremy Williams 10/24/10 NYR vs. NJ

Ville Leino

Bold = has played in the NhL this season (as of Nov. 19) Italics = Had name engraved on the Stanley Cup after playing for Grand Rapids

all Niklas Kronw

All photos by Getty Images except Niklas Kronwall (Dave Reginek).

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 69

howard

tomas Kopeck

y

Chris Neil

Whether the Griffins are at Van Andel Arena or on the road, the New ESPN 96.1 FM will bring it home, live with Bob Kaser Brought to you by the new home for Griffins hockey:

*XHVW 6XLWHV

KIDS PAGE

griffins player crossWorD can you guess the last name of the griffins player identified by each fun fact?

2

3

DOWN: 2. Coetzee 3. Ehrhardt 4. Owens 6. Emmerton 7. Pearce 8. MacDonald 9. tardif 10. Straub 11. Janik 12. McCollum 16. Pare 17. Andersson 18. Smith 20. Lashoff

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ACROss: 1. One of 13 players to win stanley Cup after playing in Grand Rapids 5. His Brandon squad lost in 2010 Memorial Cup finals 7. Only Griffin to play in all 80 games last season 12. Recorded largest-ever percentage increase in goals by a Griffin (from 2008-09 to 2009-10) 13. Also played for slovakia’s national and junior national teams in 2010 14. Led Rochester with 71 points last season 15. Named 2010 playoff MVP in finnish Elite League 19. Was “black ace” for stanley Cup champ Pittsburgh in 2009

21. Won consecutive Calder Cups with Hershey in 2009 and 2010 22. Played in 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games for Belarus

DOWN: 2. His family’s roots are in south Africa 3. scored first AHL goal Nov. 6 vs.

Chicago 4. Joined Detroit organization in trade from NY Rangers last spring 6. Already posted career-high sevengame point streak this season 7. Graduated with pre-med and anthropology degrees from Notre Dame 8. Griffins’ all-time leader with 17 shutouts

ANSWERS

21

ACROSS: 1. Meech 5. Raedeke 7. Pyett 12. Mursak 13. tatar 14. Johnson 15. Filppula 19. Minard 21. Amadio 22. Kolosov

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14

9. second season as Griffins’ captain 10. Competed in shot put and discus growing up 11. Played seven games for Red Wings during October 12. Became youngest goalie to ever play for Grand Rapids 16. first player to lead Griffins in plus/minus in two seasons 17. scored first AHL goal with Griffins during 2009 playoffs 18. Older brother Rory plays Major League Lacrosse 20. Won gold medal with Team UsA at 2010 World Jr. Championship

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 71

‘MINUtE’ RICE – Griffins public relations manager Randy Rice takes a minute or two to interview goaltender Jordan Pearce during the first intermission at Van Andel Arena on Nov. 10, 2010, three days after the Notre Dame product registered his first win of the season, a 4-3 shootout victory against the Lake Erie Monsters. Pearce stopped the first penalty shot the Griffins ever faced in overtime.

Photo by Mark Newman 72 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

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