2016-17 SEASON ISSUE NO. 2
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Vol. 21, No. 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS STARTING LINEUP 24 ROAD WARRIOR Ben Street has faced his share of potholes during his hockey career.
50 THE LIST Ten things that Griffins defenseman Brian Lashoff can’t live without.
32 OUT OF THE ORDINARY Rookie Kyle Criscuolo is looking to differentiate himself not only as a player but also as a person.
53 GEAR GURU Former Griffins goaltender Adam Berkhoel does his best to make sure AHL netminders have the right equipment to do their jobs.
42 MAINE ATTRACTION Defenseman Dan Renouf hopes to follow in the footsteps of Jimmy Howard and Gustav Nyquist into a job with the Detroit Red Wings.
62 HALL OF FAME HONORS Retired Griffins defenseman Travis Richards was inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Van Andel Arena in October.
24
32
ON THE BENCH 2............Chalk Talk 21.........Promotional Calendar 4............Scouting Report 40.........Meet the Griffins 6............Connecting with 61.........Griffins Records the Griffins 68.........Griffins All-Stars 9............Griffins Schedule 73.........Penalty Calls 12.........AHL Tradition 74.........Arena Map/Ticket Info 15.........AHL Team Directory 76.........It All Starts Here 19.........Detroit Red Wings 79.........Kids Page 80.........Parting Shot
COVER:
42
Griffins alternate captain Ben Street has been welltraveled during his seven years as a pro. 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 Š2016 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.
53
1
Q&A WITH GRIFFINS HEAD COACH TODD NELSON
In general terms, how much has coaching changed in the past 15 years? “As the game has evolved, so has the coaching. From a technical standpoint, the advent of video and the ability to dissect your play as well as the opposition’s has led systems to become much more detail-oriented: how do you forecheck, how do you breakout on the power play, how do you defend? There were systems in place a long time ago, but the coaching has evolved as the game has changed. Twenty years ago, you wouldn’t be talking to a coach about how to play 3-on-3 overtime because it didn’t exist. “The personnel has changed, too. Players are bigger, stronger and quicker, but they also look at the game differently. Motivation has been an issue for coaches since the beginning of history. Coaches used to depend upon intimidation for motivation. They would say ‘this is what we’re going to do and how we’re going to do it and you better do it or else.’ Players responded because there was no recourse. Now we have a new generation of players that wants to know why. You have to explain why and how it’s going to benefit the hockey team. Players today will still respond to a good tongue-lashing from time to time, but more often than not, you find yourself explaining.”
When you were still playing, most teams had a head coach and an assistant. Now it seems every team has a couple of assistant coaches, a video coach, a goaltending coach, and sometimes a skills and development coach. What difference has that made? “Having all those voices makes me better as a head coach. They all bring something different 2 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
to the table and they all challenge me to be better. I don’t want ‘yes men.’ I want guys who will voice their opinion, and as a group, you formulate your tactics the best way possible to help the team succeed. When you’ve coached as many years as I have, you’re always learning something from different coaches about what works and what doesn’t. You’ve got to get 25 guys pulling the rope together, while at the same time you’re pushing them to get better individually. As coaches, we all have to work together. If your staff isn’t working like a welloiled machine, how do you expect your team to do so?”
One of the more recent developments in coaching is the use of analytics. How much weight do you put in statistics? “I think analytics can be a valuable tool, but you also can’t let the numbers take control of your thinking. When I was in Edmonton, they were signing players on the basis of analytics alone, but there are variables that come into play. Some of the stats can be interesting. Why, for example, do you find the teams of some coaches always in the Top 5 for puck retrieval after an offensive zone loss? The stat measures the time from when a team loses the puck until the time they get it back. What are they doing systematically? In terms of individual stats, people talk about a Corsi rating. It measures the shot attempts you take at even strength versus the number of shot attempts you allow. But it can be skewed, because you’ll now see a player on a 1-on-3 put the puck on net from the red line instead of shooting it into the corner. Everything is relative. You’ve still got your eyes. You’ve got to trust your instincts. But analytics is a good tool to have at your disposal.”
Can analytics be more important some get more accomplished in less time. Practices used to consist of more mindless drills, but times than others? today every drill has some purpose to it.”
“Defensive zone draws, for example, are very important, so it’s key to know which players are stronger on the left or right side. You’d be surprised at the difference it can make. In Edmonton, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was 60 percent from the left-hand dot and only 15 percent from the right-hand dot, so I wouldn’t have him take any draws from the right-hand side in the D-zone. Those are the kind of percentages you try to play. Of course, hockey happens so fast, it’s a very instinctive game, so it’s not easy to employ all the analytics, but you take advantage of them when you can.”
How have practices changed? “In the NHL, you don’t have as much quality practice time because you’re playing every other day. In the AHL, we have more time. You can have a good work day featuring a lot of competitive battle drills and focus more on the offensive portion as you approach the games. I like to run my practices at a high intensity, high tempo. Players don’t like to stand around, so we try to give them a lot of touches of the puck. We go bang-bang-bang with drills so we’re able to
Are players more knowledgeable today? “Players today are more informed about everything. With social media, sometimes guys know a teammate has been called up before even I know. They’re certainly more knowledgeable about their play. With video, we can break down the game for them, so they can see every scoring chance, what they did right or wrong. Guys have a greater awareness of how they’re playing. Video is so prevalent now that there are no secrets when you face another team, and it’s up to the coaches to show the players how to expose their opponent. And when they ask why, you better know your stuff. You lose trust and credibility if a player asks a question and you don’t know how to answer. It’s my job to make sure my staff is speaking my language, so it’s one united voice. “In the end, all our work aside, it doesn’t matter unless the player plays at his full capacity with heart, desire, determination and smarts. If an analytics guy can come out with a way to measure heart and desire, I’m all for it.”
2016-17 GRIFFINS COACHING AND TRAINING STAFF
Head Coach
Todd Nelson
Video Coach
Bill LeRoy
Assistant Coach
Ben Simon
Athletic Trainer
John Bernal
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach
Goaltending Coach
Bruce Ramsay
Mike Knuble
Brian Mahoney-Wilson
Equipment Manager
Assistant Equipment Manager
Strength-Conditioning Coordinator
Brad Thompson
Andrew Stegehuis
Marcus Kinney
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
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GRIFFINS SCOUTING REPORT Every Central Division rival with the exception of the Manitoba Moose will make an appearance at Van Andel Arena during the weeks before and after the holidays. The home slate includes a pair of back-to-back dates (Jan. 5-6 and Jan. 20-21).
IOWA (Dec. 2, Jan. 4)
• During this season’s first meeting between the teams on Oct. 18 in Des Moines, Anthony Mantha became the fourth Griffin ever to score three power play goals in a game, recording his second pro hat trick. • First-year Griffins defenseman Conor Allen played in 18 games with the Wild last season, accounting for three points (1-2—3) and six penalty minutes. • Including the two previous renditions of AHL franchises in Iowa – Stars (2005-08) and Chops (2008-09) – the Griffins owned a 15-2-1-1 record all time at Van Andel Arena against foes from the Hawkeye State through November.
CHICAGO (Dec. 7, Jan. 20)
• Through November, the Griffins owned a 36-22-2-4-2 home record against the Wolves, marking the second-most home wins Grand Rapids has earned against any opponent. • Wolves newcomer Landon Ferraro, who signed with the St. Louis Blues in the offseason, played five seasons in Grand Rapids (2009-10; 201115). Ferraro totaled 140 points (75-65—140) in 270 regular season games and helped the Griffins capture the 2013 Calder Cup. • Having debuted in the International Hockey League in 1994-95, the Wolves are in their 23rd season. Chicago has qualified for the postseason 17 times and has never missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons. The Wolves did not qualify for the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs.
4 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS
MILWAUKEE
PRIMARY• MARK All time,
(Dec. 9, Dec. 21)
the Admirals have suffered more losses at Van Andel Arena than any other team, as the Griffins owned a 45-24-2-1-2 home record against Milwaukee entering the 2016-17 season.
• Milwaukee claimed the best record in the Central Division last season and was one of only three teams in the AHL to amass 100 points, but the Griffins swept the Admirals in the Central Division Semifinals. • As part of his first career hat trick, Anthony Mantha scored on a penalty shot against Milwaukee last Feb. 17, marking the first successful penalty shot by the Griffins at home since Francis Pare on Dec. 9, 2009.
ROCKFORD
(Dec. 31, Jan. 7) PANTONE 282 C
PANTONE 292 C
PANTONE COOL GRAY 4 C
WHITE
• When the Griffins host the IceHogs on Dec. 31, it will mark the 20th New Year’s Eve game in Griffins history and the 17th consecutive calendar closer. Grand Rapids owns an 8-9-1-1 (0.474) mark on the last 2015-16 day of December, including a 1-0-0-1 record when ringing in the New Year with the IceHogs. • Grand Rapids assistant coach Ben Simon and former Griffins great/ current Rockford assistant Derek King both served on the Toronto Marlies’ coaching staff in 2014-15 when the Marlies lost to Grand Rapids in five games during the Western Conference Quarterfinals, a series in which Toronto led two games to none. • The IceHogs count six Swedish-born players on their roster, including center Martin Lundberg, goaltender Lars Johansson and defensemen Carl Dahlstrom, Erik Gustafsson, Robin Norell and Viktor Svedberg.
CHARLOTTE
(Jan. 6)
• Of the 52 AHL and IHL teams that Grand Rapids has played during its 21-year history, only nine can claim a winning record at Van Andel Arena. The Checkers are 8-6 lifetime in Grand Rapids, as they are the only active AHL team with a winning record at the Van (minimum of two games). • Two-time Stanley Cup champion Ulf Samuelsson is in his first season at the helm of the Checkers after spending the previous three as an assistant for the New York Rangers. • Checkers defenseman Jake Chelios, who played collegiately at Michigan State from 2010-14, is the son of former Detroit Red Wings star and Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Chelios.
CLEVELAND (Jan. 21)
• Entering the 2016-17 season, the Griffins and Monsters had matched up 72 times since Cleveland (formerly Lake Erie) joined the AHL in 200708. Of those 72 games, 36 were decided by a single tally, including 21 in overtime or a shootout. Each team had claimed 18 wins in those onegoal contests. • Griffins defenseman Robbie Russo and Monsters center T.J. Tynan played together at Notre Dame for three seasons from 2011-14 and helped the Irish win the 2012-13 CCHA Championship. • Monsters blueliner Sheldon Brookbank is back in North America after playing two seasons abroad (Russia and Finland). A veteran of 351 NHL games (New Jersey, Anaheim and Chicago), Brookbank began his pro career in 2001-02 when he played six games with the Griffins. He played the entire 2002-03 season in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
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The photo booth is enjoyed by young and old alike.
The new mobile reality is making the social media lounge a hit with fans.
Connecting With The Griffins The team’s social media lounge and mobile app are bringing fans closer to their favorite players than ever before.
“Fans are encouraged to share their photos with Most hockey fans will never step inside their the hashtag #GoGRG, which puts their photos in a favorite team’s dressing room nor will they ever get queue to be featured on Instagram, Facebook and the opportunity to sit on the bench in the heat of Twitter,” Malson said. “Fans have the opportunity to battle, but that doesn’t preclude them from enjoying be featured on the arena video board via our social a unique game experience. media feed presented by Michigan Office Solutions.” Ticket holders who venture into the Griffins Also new in the lounge this season is a mural Social Media Lounge can take advantage of a host of fun features to enhance a hockey lover’s appreciation with the names of all current season ticket members. The mobile app, which can be downloaded of the Grand Rapids team. If they’re mobile savvy, from Apple’s App Store or Google they can download the Griffins app Play, provides fans with breaking to access the upcoming schedule, news and game alerts as well as tickets, promotions and latest roster special ticket offers and the ability information. to purchase upgrades at upcoming “The lounge is a space where fans home games. Some unique can literally plug in,” said Marissa upgrades, which are only available Malson, digital marketing manager through the app, include watching for the Griffins, noting that the warm-ups from the penalty box and venue includes outlets for fans participating in the high-five alley, to charge their iOS and Android bench visits and Zamboni rides. devices. “Our app, meanwhile, Fans can also interact with enables fans to stay connected with Griffins players and other fans the Griffins, both home and away.” by connecting their social media Located on the upper concourse accounts with the Fan Wall. of Van Andel Arena near Section Fans are encouraged to Fans earn points through their 224 and presented in partnership faceswap with Griffins players. interaction (liking, sharing, with Sprint, the lounge offers a watching exclusive video, etc.), and number of social media-related top users win Griffins memorabilia. activities that bring fans closer to their favorite Push notifications sent to fans notify them of players. breaking news, special ticket offers and promotions, A new photo booth, for example, allows fans to as well as in-game scoring updates. Beacon don props – helmets, gloves, sticks – in front of a technology allows fans to receive unique offers and green screen to appear with their favorite player or incentives while attending games inside Van Andel in front of different backdrop frames. Fans can also Arena. faceswap with Tyler Bertuzzi, Mitch Callahan or “We continue to look for ways to improve and Jared Coreau, enjoying the weird and wacky trick enhance the social media experience for Griffins of switching one person’s face with another that has fans,” Malson said. been popular on Snapchat. 6 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
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2016-17
SEASON schedule
S
M
T
OCTOBER
W
T
F
S
S
M
W
T
F
S
1
2
3
IA
CHI
8
CLE
10
RFD
MIL
15
TEX
17
TEX 7:00
19
24
CLE
CLE
1 2 9
3
4
5
7
8
13
CHI
CHI CLE
20
21
22
MIL
CHA
27
28
29
CLE
11
16
17
IA
8:00
19
20
RFD
23
24
25
26
27
CHA
30
31
S
M
4 CHI 5:00
5 12
T CLE
12
6
10
W
W
T
F
S
1
7:00
IA
RFD 8:00
1
2
3
IA
7:00
5
CHA
RFD
MIL
10
8
9
10
11
12
MIL
RFD
16
CHA
15
RFD
17
IA
19
CHI
CLE
26
SJ
STK
23
24
22
23
24
RFD
29
30
31
S
M
T
S
M
T
19
7 14
20
21
26
27
CLE
S
M
T
7:00 7:00
Noon
7:00
7:00
6:00
6:00
W
T
F
S
1
2
CHI
MIL
MB
9
IA
8:00
IA
8:00
5
SA
7:00
SA
7:00
STK
MIL
MIL
MIL
7:00
MB
11AM
22
7:00
W
16 23
8:00
2 5:00
3 10
8:00
IA
7:00
7:00
7:00
APRIL
T
F
MB
8:00
8:00
11
CHA 7:00
S
6
7
CLE
13
CHA
MIL
7:00
W
7:00
8:00
MB
2:00
FEBRUARY
RFD
CLE
JANUARY
T
CLE
CLE
7:00
M
29
27
7:00
S
22
20
7:00
7:00
S
14
26
8:00
7:00
F
13
19
7:00
7:00 7:00
T
CHI
25
13
6:00
14
7:00
8
7:00
1:00
12
7:15
7:00
13
7
CHI
7:00
MIL
6
7:00
8:00
DECEMBER
CHA
5
7:00
6
NOVEMBER
T
7:00 7:00
Post-Game Open Skate Huntington Bank Post-Game Autograph Session Friends & Family 4-Pack Home Game Pepsi Reading Goals Redemption Date
@GRIFFINSHOCKEY
7:00 6:00
6 13 20
MIL 4:00
27
Home
Away
SA
8:00
14
7:00 8:00 7:00 7:00
7:00 8:00 7:00 7:00
MARCH T
F
S
1
2
SA
8:30
TEX
TEX
9
10
9:00
16
CHI
CHI
23
RFD
RFD
30
CHA
8:30
15
21
22
28
MIL 7:00
7:00 7:00
8:00
SJ
8:00 8:00
7:00
Games broadcast live on
All times Eastern. Dates, opponents and times subject to change.
CHA - Charlotte CHI - Chicago CLE - Cleveland IA - Iowa MB - Manitoba MIL - Milwaukee
RFD - Rockford SA - San Antonio SJ - San Jose STK - Stockton TEX - Texas
PRIMARY AFFILIATE OF THE DETROIT RED WINGS
TO PURCHASE TICKETS OR FOR MORE INFO, Grand Rapids GRIFFINS VISIT GRIFFINSHOCKEY.COM OR CALL 1.800.2.HOCKEY.
9
Griffins Chief Executive Officer
Dear Griffins Fans, The first 20 years of Griffins Hockey are now in the books, the curtain having been brought down by a remarkable 2015-16 season that featured endless reasons to cheer. With the return of original Griffin Todd Nelson to Grand Rapids as head coach, the Griffins twice obliterated our previous franchise record for consecutive victories, rattling off 15 wins in a row from mid-November to late December before nearly matching that feat later on with a 13-game run. Along the way, we posted another record with 14 straight wins at Van Andel Arena, a streak that began on Veterans Day and didn’t end until nearly 10 weeks later. The playoffs started with a three-game sweep of Central Division champion Milwaukee and concluded with a hard-fought loss to eventual Calder Cup champ Lake Erie, finishing off yet another memorable campaign. As the promise of a new season dawns, Nelson and his staff return to build on last year’s success, with a roster that will feature more than the usual number of fresh faces alongside the likes of longtime defenseman Nathan Paetsch, goaltender Jared Coreau, playoff phenom Tyler Bertuzzi and a host of other future Detroit Red Wings. While the entertainment value offered on the ice is second-to-none, we hope you will enjoy several arena enhancements designed to elevate your game-night experience. In addition to the arena’s free wifi service introduced late last season, be sure to take advantage of our newly launched beacon technology, which works with the Griffins app to deliver timely, personalized messages and special offers to fans at Van Andel Arena. You now have quick and easy access to game day news, discounts, promotions and exclusive experiences, including seat upgrades, Zamboni rides and the High-Five Alley. One final thing to enlighten you about is the installation of the arena’s new innovative and energyefficient Ephesus LED digital lighting system from Eaton. Our players’ performance on the ice and your experience in the stands will both benefit from better balanced and brighter lighting that provides for increased visibility, truer colors and prevention of glare. And just wait until you see the fun we’ll have with these lights during pre-game shows, timeouts and intermissions; there’s a reason they were also installed for Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Ariz., and the 2016 NHL All-Star Game in Nashville. On behalf of the entire Griffins organization, I thank you for your continued loyal support and look forward to sharing the 2016-17 AHL season with you. Sincerely,
Dan DeVos Chief Executive Officer Grand Rapids Griffins
10 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
DAVID A. ANDREWS RESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, DAPAVID A. ANDREWS MERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
DAVID A. ANDREWS
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, American Hockey League Hockey League AAmerican MERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE American Hockey League One Monarch Place – Springfield, 01144 One Monarch Place –Place Springfield, MAMA 01144 One Monarch – Springfield, MA 01144 Phone: (413) 781-2030 theahl.com Phone: (413) 781-2030 Phone: (413) 781-2030theahl.com Fax: (413) 733-4767
Dear Fans, Dear Fans, Dear Dear Fans,
American Hockey League
One Monarch Place – Springfield, MA 01144 Phone: (413) 781-2030 theahl.com my great pleasure to welcome to the 2016-17 American Hockey League season. ItItItItisis my great pleasure towelcome welcome you to the historic 2015-16 American Hockey League is 2014-15 season, is my great pleasure to you toyou the historic 2015-16 American Hockey League season, one that79th is sure to be one of the most memorable campaigns ever. The AHL was founded inbe 1936, and for the past eight decades have established a season, one that sure to one of the memorable campaigns our year ofis play. We are proud tomost be entering what is surewe toever. be another exciting tradition of excellence continues today in and 30 cities across America. season, continuing ourthat tradition of excellence bringing anNorth entertaining, physical and We are celebrating our 80th anniversary season literally from coast to coast: From the shores of the We are celebrating anniversary season from6 coast to fans coast:inFrom theacross highly skilled levelour of 80th professional hockey to literally more than million arenas Atlantic to our five new members in California, all 30 teams will hit the ice to continue a tradition of Dear Fans, We areof coming one ofhallmark the new greatest AHL seasons highlighted byhit welcoming North America. shores the Atlantic tothe our five in California, all 30 teams will the ice five excellence that hasoff been of members the American Hockeyever, League since 1936. great fan bases to theyou league, asbeen well2015-16 as our returnofto Winnipeg. fell all to continue a tradition of that has the hallmark the American Hockey It is California my great pleasure to excellence welcome to the historic American Hockey LeagueRecords season, one The AHL remains ofthe itsonce role inagain developing more 88 percent of in today’s National Hockey League year long, from Roy the winningest coach history, Michael that issince sure to beproud one Sommer of mostbecoming memorable campaigns ever. The 2014-15 season will feature 30than teams who will beleague competing fortothe AHL’s League 1936. players, as well asCup the majority of the NHL’s training staffs, broadcasters Leighton setting thevast career mark forand shutouts, to managers, more than 7.1 million fans attending historic Calder championship, 30coaches, National Hockey League clubs who willand be We areIncelebrating our350 80th anniversary season literally from coast coast: From the officials. total, nearly AHL players were recalled to the NHL lasttoseason alone,the andshores more of than games -thetheir largest turnout in in our 80-year history. Thecities. campaign ended in most developing top prospects and futureallstars in our Last season alone, more than The AHL remains proud of its role developing more 88 percent of today’s Atlantic tofirstour five new members in California, 30 teamsthan willtheir hit the iceintothe continue a tradition 250 former and second-round NHL draft picks developed skills AHL. And throughofthe memorable fashion as the Calder Cup to Cleveland for the firstHockey time in 52 240 firstand second-round NHL draft picks competed in American Hockey League, National Hockey League players, as well asreturned thecheering vast majority ofthe thesince NHL’s coaches, excellence that has been the hallmark ofenjoyed the American Hockey League 1936. years, our loyal and passionate fans have for more than 100 future Hall ofyears Famers, with more than 19,000 fans the for the championship and 347 players took the icepacking in more boththan the “Q” AHLCalder and the NHL. and have witnessed the triumphs of 100 champions whoclincher. would go on to have their managers, training staffs, broadcasters and officials. InCup total, nearly 350 AHL players The AHL remains of its role more than 88 percent of today’s National Hockey League names engraved onproud the Stanley Cupinasdeveloping well. were recalled to the NHL last season alone, and more than 250 former first- and secondas well as the vast of majority of the NHL’s coaches,more managers, training staffs, broadcasters and The AHL remains proud its role inskills developing than 88 percent of in today’s National Weplayers, take great pride in our tradition of developing the best hockey talent the world, with round NHL draft picks developed their in the And through years, loyal total, 350 AHL players were recalled to theand NHL last season alone, andour more than Toofficials. our newInfans in nearly Bakersfield, Ontario, San Diego, San AHL. Jose Stockton; tothe our returning fans in Hockey League players, as well as a vast majority of the NHL’s coaches, managers, training over 88 percent of today’s NHL players, coaches and officials having honed their skills in and passionate fans have more thanAmerica 100 Hall 250 former firstsecond-round NHL picks developed theirfuture skills inHockey the Andtoof through thejoin Manitoba; to all of and you whoenjoyed cheer forcheering AHL draft teamsfor across North -- We are AHL. excited have you staffs, on-ice officials, other executives. Inthan total, 377 AHL players were the American Hockey League. Through the years, our loyal and passionate fans have our excitement loyal and passionate fans haveand enjoyed cheering for more 100 future Hockey Hall of Famers, usyears, from the ofbroadcasters, opening weekend, to the 2016 AHL All-Star Classic in Syracuse, andwho through the Famers, and have witnessed the triumphs of more than 100 Calder Cup champions recalled to the NHL last season and more than 250 firstand and and have witnessed the triumphs ofalone, more than 100 Calder Cup champions who would gosecond-round on to have their enjoyed cheering more than 100 future Hockey Hall offormer Famers, and have witnessed the thrills emotion offor the Calder Cup Playoffs. would go on to have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup as well. names engraved on the Stanley Cup as well. NHL draftof picks developed skills the AHL. And theon years, our great fans triumphs more than 100 their Calder Cupinchampions whothrough would go to have their names On behalf of allthe of our teams, players staff, thank you members again for your continuing support of the AHL. have enjoyed cheering forCup more than 100 future of the Hockey Hall of Fame, engraved on Stanley as and well. To our new fans ininBakersfield, Ontario, San Diego, San Jose and Stockton; To our fans Bakersfield, San Diego, San Jose and Stockton; to our returning I wish younew the utmost enjoymentOntario, of all the excitement that our 2015-16 season hasto inour store. fans in and have witnessed the triumphs of more than 100 Calder Cup champions who would Manitoba; to all of you who cheer for AHL teams across North America -We are excited to have you join returning fans in Manitoba; to all of you who cheer for AHL teams across North America go onfrom to have their names engraved on the Cup as to continue to deliver professional towell. the great fans ofand Glens Falls,the us the excitement opening weekend, to theStanley 2016 hockey AHL All-Star Classic in Syracuse, through Sincerely, --We’re We arepleased excited to haveofyou join us from the excitement of opening weekend, to the thrills and of the Calder Cup Playoffs. N.Y., and weemotion welcome Allentown, Pa., to the league as the Adirondack Flames and Lehigh 2016 AHL All-Star Classic in Syracuse, and through the thrills and emotion of the Calder To our Phantoms new fans inhitTucson all of you cheer AHL entries teams from coast coast, Valley the iceand thistoseason. Thewho AHL’s two for newest will join thetorest of CupOn Playoffs. behalf of all of our teams, players and staff, thank you again for your continuing support of the AHL. we excited to have you join us for another terrific year. On behalf of all of our teams, theI are league in looking to dethrone the defending Calder Cup champion Texas Stars in the wish you the utmost enjoyment of all the excitement that our 2015-16 season has in store. players and thank again for your continuing support of the AHL. chase for thestaff, AHL’s 2015you title. On behalf of all of our teams, players and staff, thank you again for your continuing Sincerely, David A. Andrews support of the AHL. I wish you the utmost enjoyment of all the excitement that our Sincerely, On behalf&of all Executive of our teams, President Chief Officer players and staff, thank you again for your continuing 2015-16 season in Istore. American Hockey League support of thehas AHL. wish you the utmost enjoyment of all the excitement that our
2014-15 season has in store.
DavidA.A.Andrews Andrews David Sincerely, President& & Chief Chief Executive Officer President Executive Officer American Hockey League American Hockey League David A. Andrews President & Chief Executive Officer American Hockey League
/TheAHL
theahl.com
@TheAHL
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
11
THEA BEGINNINGS TRADITION
OF EXCELLENCE
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE since 1936
Marking its 81st season of play in 2016-17, the American Hockey League is continuing a since 1936 tradition of excellence that began in 1936 when the Canadian-American Hockey League THE BEGINNINGS merged with the International Hockey to form what is today known as the THELeague BEGINNINGS AHL. Eight teams hit the ice Marking that firstitsseason, playing Haven, 81st season of playininBuffalo, 2016-17, Cleveland, the AmericanNew Hockey League is tradition of81st excellence that inthe 1936 whenHockey the Canadian-American Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Springfield and Syracuse. Marking its season of play inbegan 2016-17, American League is continuing Ho
merged with the International League to form what Hockey is today k a tradition of excellence that began inHockey 1936 when the Canadian-American
AHL. Eight teams the ice thatat first season, in Buffalo, Cleveland, League merged withhit the International Hockey League towas form instrumental what is today known Frank Calder, the National Hockey League’s president the time,playing in as the AHL. Eight teams hit theProvidence, ice that first season, playing inand Buffalo, Cleveland, New Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Springfield Syracuse. the forming of the new league,Haven, andPhiladelphia, his namePittsburgh, would be givenSpringfield to its championship trophy. Providence, and Syracuse. The first Calder Cup was wonFrank by the Syracuse Stars in 1937;League’s the 80th championship was Calder, the National Hockey president at the time, was ins Frank Calder, National Hockey League’s president at the time, was instrumental captured by Cleveland’s Lake Erie Monsters lastleague, spring. the forming ofthe the new and his name would be given to its champion in the forming of the new league, and his name would be given to its championship
The firstThe Calder thebySyracuse Stars in 1937; thethe 80th trophy. first Cup Calderwas Cupwon was by won the Syracuse Stars in 1937; 80thchamp captured by Cleveland’s Lake Erie Monsters last spring. championship was captured by Cleveland’s Lake Eriea Monsters last spring. From those roots, the American Hockey League has grown into 30-team league that
provides fans with exciting, high-level professional hockey while preparing thousands From roots, American League hasa grown 30-team From those those roots, the the American HockeyHockey League has grown into 30-team into leagueathat of players, coaches, officials,provides executives, trainers, broadcasters and for careers in provides fans with exciting, high-level professional hockeymore whilehockey preparing thousands fans with exciting, high-level professional while preparin players, coaches, officials, executives, trainers, trainers, broadcasters and more for and careers the NHL. ofofplayers, coaches, officials, executives, broadcasters more f in the NHL. the NHL.
THE PLAYERS
THETHE PLAYERS PLAYERS
more than 88 percent of the players are AHL alumni, oday’s Hockey League more than In National today’s National Hockey League more than8888percent percent of of the the players are AHL alumni, ent Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals. TheWashington Capitals. The luding 2016 are Vezina recipient Braden the players AHL Trophy alumni, including 2016 VezinaHoltby Trophy of recipient Braden Holtby ofstocked the Washington Capitals. Thewere 2016 stocked Stanley Cup gh Penguins were with AHL graduates as well, 16 Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins with AHL graduates as well, champion Penguins wereYear stocked with AHL graduates them 2015Pittsburgh AHL Rookie ofstandouts the Matt Murray and standouts Conor Sheary, eong Year Matt Murray and Conor Sheary, as well, among them 2015 AHL Rookie thehelped Year Matt Murray and yan Rust and Tom Kuhnhackl, whoofall the Penguins to the championship who all helped Penguins the standouts Conorthe Sheary, Bryan Rustto and Tomchampionship Kuhnhackl, who all er being called up from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton during the season. helped the Penguins to the championship arre/Scranton during the season.after being called up from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton during the season.
selections John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks (San Diego Gulls)
the Philadelphia Flyers (Lehigh Valley Phantoms).
and Shayne Gostisbehere of thefirstPhiladelphia Flyers (Lehigh Valley addition, more than 250 former and second-round draft picks developed their Phantoms). ls in the AHL last season, including William Nylander, Mikko Rantanen, Jakub rst- Anthony and second-round draft picks developed their ana, Milano Shea Theodore. In addition,Mantha, more thanSonny 250 former first- and and second-round draft
ing William Nylander, Mikko picks developed their skills in the AHL lastRantanen, season, includingJakub William Nylander, Mikko Rantanen, Jakub Vrana, Anthony Mantha, Sonny Milano and Shea Theodore.
Photo: Pittsburgh Penguins
ring the 2015-16 season, a total of 880 AHL alumni played in the National Hockey of 880 AHL alumni played in skated the Hockey ague. There were 377 players in both During the 2015-16 season, awho total of 880National AHL alumnileagues played inlast year alone, including theAll-Rookie National Hockey League. There 377alone, players who in 16 NHL Team selections John Gibson of skated the Anaheim Ducks (San Diego o skated in both leagues lastwere year including both leagues Gostisbehere lastof year alone, including 2016 NHL All-Rookie Team lls) John and Shayne of the Philadelphia (Lehigh Valley Phantoms). ns Gibson the Anaheim Ducks (SanFlyers Diego
Matt Murra 2016 Stanley Cup c 2015 AHL Rookie o MattMurray Murray Matt 2015 AHL Goaltender 2016 Stanley Cup champion
20162015 Stanley Cup champion AHL Rookie of the Year 2015 AHL Rookie of theYearYear 2015 AHL Goaltender of the COACHES2015 AHL Goaltender of the Year
Milano and Shea Theodore.
THE THE COACHES
the start of the 2016-17 season, the National Hockey League featured 23 head coaches who were forme At the start of the 2016-17 season, the National Hockey League featured 23 head coaches who were former AHL bench sses, including 20162016 Calder Cup Jared Bednar the Colorado Jack winner AdamsBarry Award w bosses, including Calder Cupchampion champion Jared Bednar of the of Colorado Avalanche,Avalanche, Jack Adams Award otz of Trotz the Washington Capitals and Cupwinner winner Mike Sullivan, who was promoted from Wilkes-Barre of the Washington Capitals andStanley Stanley Cup Mike Sullivan, who was promoted from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton cember. Vancouver’s WillieLeague Desjardins, Detroit’s Blashill, Tampa Bay’sJon Jon Cooper Minnesota’s December. Vancouver’s Willie Desjardins, Detroit’s Jeff Blashill, Tampa Bay’s Cooper andand Minnesota’s Bruce Bruc the inNational Hockey featured 23Jeff head coaches who were former AHL bench also Boudreau recent Calder winners, and Stanley champions Joel Quenneville, Claude Julien, Dan Bylsm are alsoCup recent Calder Cup winners, and Cup Stanley Cup champions Joel Quenneville, Claude Julien, Dan Bylsma champion Jared Bednar of the Colorado Avalanche, Jack Adams Award winner Barry Mike Babcock also time in the AHLmaking before making the jump. bcockand also spent time inspent the AHL before the jump.
THE COACHES
d Stanley Cup winner Mike Sullivan, who was promoted from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in rdins, Detroit’s Jeff Blashill, Bay’s Jon Cooper and Boudreau “[TheTampa AHL] is necessary for development. It’s a Minnesota’s great league and Bruce a lot of great players are down there. I for wouldn’t be here It’s if itJulien, for those years of great “[TheJoel AHL] isQuenneville, necessary development. aweren’t great league andBylsma a lot of and Stanley Cup champions Claude Dan and Mike improvement and learning, so I’m grateful for it.” L before making the jump. players are down there. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for those years of —improvement Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals and learning, so I’m grateful for it.” 2016 Vezina Holtby, Trophy winner -- Braden Washington Capitals 2010 Cup champion 2016Calder Vezina Trophy winner
2010 Calder champion he AHL] is necessary for development. It’s aCup great league and a lot of great ayers are down there. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for those years of Photo: JustSports Photography provement and learning, so I’m grateful for it.” JustSports Photography
12 Holtby, Grand Rapids GRIFFINSCapitals Braden Washington 16 Vezina Trophy winner
THEbegan LEGENDS has created its own legends as well, and in 2006 THE LEGENDS THE LEGENDS ion ofForthe AHL Hall of Fame. The 11th class of inductees, the past eight decades, the American Hockey League has been home to some of the ruceFor Cline, Ralph Keller, Labbe and Landon. the past eight decades, theJ.F. American Hockey League has been home tohonored some greatest players in the history of ourLeague sport. In Bruce fact, 100 members of the past eight decades, the American Hockey has beenmore homethan to some of the ofthe theHockey greatest players inour theGage, history our sport. Inwith fact, more than 100 honored ower, Fred Jody Mitch Lamoureux, Willie Hall of Fame have been affiliated AHL during their atest players inGlover, the history of sport. Inof fact, more than 100the honored members of careers. All-time members of the Hockey Hall of Fame have been affiliated with the AHL during their greats George Armstrong, Toe Blake, Gump Worsley, Terry Sawchuk, Glenn HallBruce oflike Fame have been affiliated with the AHL during their careers. All-time eHockey Shore, Boudreau, Zellio Toppazzini, and others All-time greats like George Toe Blake, Gump Worsley, Terry Eddie Shore Hall, Brad Park, Ken Dryden, and Brett Hull came through the AHL ranks and now ats likecareers. George Armstrong, Toe Blake,Armstrong, Gump Worsley, Terry Sawchuk, Glenn he American Hockey League Hall of Fame. Sawchuk, Glenn Hall, Brad Park, Ken Dryden, and Brett Hull came through Honored Member, l, Bradfind Park, Ken Dryden, and Brett Hull cameand through the AHLCalder ranks and themselves enshrined in Toronto, the coveted Cup now isthe inscribed with the Hockey Hall of Fame
AHL ranks now themselves enshrined inCalder Toronto, and the coveted Calder d themselves enshrined in find Toronto, the coveted Cup is inscribed with theGerry names ofand legendary AHL and alumni like Patrick Roy, Larry Robinson, Cheevers, Honored Member, AHL Hall of Fame is inscribed theHorton, names ofAl legendary AHL alumni like Patrick Roy, Larryand Billy Smith. mes of Cup legendary AHLwith alumni like Patrick Roy, Larry Robinson, Gerry Andy Bathgate, Tim Arbour, Emile Francis, DougCheevers, Harvey, Robinson, Gerry Cheevers, Andy Bathgate, Tim Horton, Al Arbour, Emile dy Bathgate, Tim Horton, Al Arbour, Emile Francis, Doug Harvey, and Billy Smith. Francis, Doug Harvey, and Billy Smith. The American Hockey League has created its own legends as well, and in 2006 began American Hockey League has created its own legends as well, and in 2006 began honoring them withLeague the formation of the AHL Hall of as Fame. The 11th class of inductees, The has created itsFame. own legends well,ofand in 2006 noring themAmerican with theHockey formation of the AHL Hall of The 11th class inductees, recognized in them 2016, included Bruce Cline, Ralph Keller, and began honoring with the formation the AHL Hall of Fame. The Labbe 11th class of Bruce Landon. ognized in 2016, included Bruce Cline, Ralph of Keller, J.F. Labbe and J.F. Bruce Landon. They join the likesBower, ofinJohnny Bower, Fred Glover, Jody Gage, Lamoureux, More fans attended AHL games in 2015-16 than in anyWillie other season in the inductees, 2016, included Bruce Cline, Ralph Keller, J.F. Mitch Labbe and y join the likes ofrecognized Johnny Fred Glover, Jody Gage, Mitch Lamoureux, Willie Marshall, Frank Mathers, Eddie Shore, Bruce Boudreau, Zellio and others rshall,Bruce Frank Mathers, Eddie Shore, Bruce Boudreau, Zellio Toppazzini, andToppazzini, others Landon. They join80-year the likes of Johnny Bower, Fred Glover, Jody Gage, Mitch Eddie league’s history, topping 7.1 million total and over 6,000 average perSho Eddie EddieShore Shore as distinguished of the American Hockey of Fame. distinguished members the American Hockey League HallShore, of League Fame. Lamoureux, Willieofmembers Marshall, Frank Mathers, Eddie BruceHall Boudreau, Honored Hoc Honored Hall Fame HonoredMember, Member,Hockey Hockey Hallof ofMember, Fame gameand between the regular season and playoffs The Hershey Bears Zellio Toppazzini, others as distinguished members of the American Hockeycombined. Honored Member, AH Honored Fame HonoredMember, Member,AHL AHL Hall of Fame the league for the 10th year in a row, averaging 9,790 fans per home game, League Hallled of Fame. Photo: AHLArchives Archives Photo: AHL
THE FANS
while the Utica Comets sold every oneFANS of its games at the Utica Memorial THEout FANS THE THE FANS Auditorium. The season ended with 19,665 fans packing Quicken Loans Arena fans attended AHL games in 2015-16 in any season in in Cleveland for More the Monsters’ Calder Cup clinching win --other largest crowd More attended AHL games inthan 2015-16 than inthe any other in sea Morefans fans attended AHL games in 2015-16 than in season anythe other league’s 80-year history, topping 7.1 million total7.1 and over 6,000 average per the league’s 80-yearhistory, history, topping million total and overover 6,000 league’s 80-year topping 7.1 million total and 6,000 a ever for a pro hockey game in Ohio. game between the regular season and playoffs combined. The Hershey Bears
average per game between the regular season playoffscombined. combined. The game between the regular season andand playoffs The Her led the leagueHershey for the Bears 10th year in aleague row, averaging 9,790 per home game, led the for the 10th year fans in a row, averaging 9,790
led the league for the 10th year in a row, averaging 9,790 fans per h
while the Utica Comets soldgame, out every its games atsold the Utica Memorial Fans are also continuing to fans follow their and the league inofout record numbers perthe home whileone theof Utica Comets every one ofthe its Utica while Uticateams Comets sold outpacking every one itsLoans games at Auditorium. The season ended with 19,665 fans Quicken Arena games atInternet the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The season ended with 19,665 digitally. Last season, the AHL Network -featuring TheAHL.com Auditorium. The season ended with 19,665 fans packing Quicken L in Cleveland for the Monsters’ Calder Cup clinching win -the largest crowd fans packing Quicken Arena in Calder Cleveland for clinching the Monsters’ in Cleveland for the Monsters’ Cup winCalder -- the lar ever for a proof hockey game in --Ohio. and the official Web sites all 30 clubs --Loans continued toforserve fansgame worldwide, Cup clinching win the largest crowd ever a pro hockey in Ohio. ever forfollow a pro hockey game in Ohio. while more than Fans 2.5 are million fans the AHL and its teams on social media also continuing to follow their teams and the league in record numbers Fans are also continuing to follow their teams and the league in record platforms like Facebook, Twitter Instagram. digitally. Last season, the InternettoNetwork -- featuring TheAHL.com Fans areand alsoAHL continuing follow their teams and the league in recor numbers digitally. Last season, the AHL Internet Network — featuring
Photo: Lindsay A. Mogle
the official Web sites all 30 clubs -- continued to serve fans worldwide, digitally. Last season, the AHL Internet -- featuring Over 7.1 million fans and attended AHL games inofand 2015-16, the TheAHL.com the official sites 30Network clubs continued to Th while more than 2.5 million fans follow theWeb AHL andof itsallteams on — social media and the official Web sites of all 30 clubs -continued serve most in the league’s 80-year history. fans worldwide, while more than 2.5 million fans follow theto AHL and fans platforms likeserve Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. while more thanmedia 2.5 million fans theTwitter AHL and its teams on so its teams on social platforms likefollow Facebook, and Instagram. Over 7.1 million fans attended AHL in 2015-16, the platforms likegames Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
880 88.8
most in the league’s 80-year history. Over7.1 7.1million million fans attended games in 2015-16, the Over fans attended AHL AHL games in 2015-16, the mostininthe the league’s 80-year history. most league’s 80-year history.
377 377 880
88.8 880880 88.8
256256 23 23 377 377 256 256 23
2
AHL players who Former 1st- and 2ndAHL alumni who Percentage of all NHL AHLplayers players who AHL Formerround 1stand 2ndAHL alumni who ormer AHL players Former also played NHL draft picks played for the 2016 layers in 2015-16 who who skated in the AHL players who Former 1stand 2ndAHL alu Percentage of all NHL Former AHL players also played NHL picks played for the who skated inof all the in the NHL AHL alumni who2016 Former 1stAHLround players who AHLLeague players Percentage NHL who draft skated in theand AHL2nd-Stanley Cup champion were graduates NationalFormer Hockey also played played for the 2016 round NHL draft picks also played who skated in the players in 2015-16 round NHL draft picks played fo players in 2015-16 who who skated in the in 2015-16 in 2015-16 Pittsburgh Penguins the AHL League last season in the NHL who skated in the AHL Stanley Cup champion onalofwho Hockey Stanley Cup champion who skatedwho in theskated AHL in in the NHL in the NHL HockeyHockey League were graduates the AHL Stanley Cu were graduates National National Pittsburgh Penguins Penguins in 2015-16in 2015-16 in 2015-16 Pittsburgh League season of the AHL in last 2015-16 last season in 2015-16 in 2015-16 Pittsburgh of the AHL last season “I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I wish every player could play in the AHL before they get the chance to play in the NHL. You learn from guys who are older, approach the game as professionals, and prepare that way. It was great for me.”
-- P.K.in Nashville Predators trade it could for the world. ISubban, wish every player could play in the AHL before uldn’t trade it for the world. I wish“I wouldn’t everyforplayer play theOlympic AHL before gold medalist “I wouldn’t trade itthey thethe world. I wish could play infrom guys who are older, get chance to every play2014 inplayer the NHL. You learn they get the chance to play in the NHL.before Yougame learn from guys2013 who are older, Norris winner the AHL they getprofessionals, the chance to play inTrophy the NHL. approach the as and prepare that way. It was great for me.” 2010 AHLthe Team You learn guys that who are older, approach as oach the game as professionals, and from prepare way. It was great All-Rookie for me.” --game P.K. Subban, Nashville Predators
-
Photo: Getty Images professionals,-and prepare that way. It was great for me.”2014 Olympic gold medalist P.K. Subban, Nashville Predators 2013 Norris Trophy winner -— P.K. Subban, Nashville Predators 2014 Olympic gold medalist 2010 AHL All-Rookie Team 2014 Olympic gold medalist 2013 Norris Trophy winner 2013 Norris Trophy winner Photo: Getty Images 2010 AHL All-Rookie Team 2010 AHL All-Rookie Team
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
13
2016-17 AHL DIRECTORY EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION: Bridgeport, Hartford, Hershey, Lehigh Valley, Providence, Springfield, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
ALBANY DEVILS
NORTH DIVISION: Albany, Binghamton, Rochester, St. John’s, Syracuse, Toronto, Utica
NHL AFFILIATION: New Jersey Devils HOME ICE: Times Union Center (6,691) GENERAL MANAGER: Tom Fitzgerald HEAD COACH: Rick Kowalsky ENTERED AHL: 2006-07 (as Lowell Devils) CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 3 of 10 2015-16 RECORD: 46-20-8-2, 102 pts./0.671 WEBSITE: thealbanydevils.com
BINGHAMTON SENATORS
NHL AFFILIATION: Ottawa Senators HOME ICE: Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena (4,696) GENERAL MANAGER: Randy Lee HEAD COACH: Kurt Kleinendorst ENTERED AHL: 2002-03 CALDER CUPS: One (2011) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 6 of 14 2015-16 RECORD: 31-38-6-1, 69 pts./0.454 WEBSITE: binghamtonsenators.com
BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS
NHL AFFILIATION: New York Islanders HOME ICE: Webster Bank Arena (8,412) GENERAL MANAGER: Garth Snow HEAD COACH: Brent Thompson ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 8 of 15 2015-16 RECORD: 40-29-4-3, 87 pts./0.572 WEBSITE: soundtigers.com
HARTFORD WOLF PACK
NHL AFFILIATION: New York Rangers HOME ICE: XL Center (15,635) GENERAL MANAGER: Jim Schoenfeld HEAD COACH: Ken Gernander ENTERED AHL: 1997-98 CALDER CUPS: One (2000) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 15 of 19 2015-16 RECORD: 41-32-3-0, 85 pts./0.559 WEBSITE: hartfordwolfpack.com
HERSHEY BEARS
NHL AFFILIATION: Washington Capitals HOME ICE: Giant Center (10,500) GENERAL MANAGER: Bryan Helmer HEAD COACH: Troy Mann ENTERED AHL: 1938-39 CALDER CUPS: 11 (1947, 1958, 1959, 1969, 1974, 1980, 1988, 1997, 2006, 2009, 2010) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 66 of 78 2015-16 RECORD: 43-21-5-7, 98 pts./0.645 WEBSITE: hersheybears.com
LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS
NHL AFFILIATION: Philadelphia Flyers HOME ICE: PPL Center (8,420) GENERAL MANAGER: Ron Hextall HEAD COACH: Scott Gordon ENTERED AHL: 1996-97 (as Philadelphia Phantoms) CALDER CUPS: Two (1998, 2005) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 10 of 20 2015-16 RECORD: 34-35-4-3, 75 pts./0.493 WEBSITE: phantomshockey.com
PROVIDENCE BRUINS
NHL AFFILIATION: Boston Bruins HOME ICE: Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence (11,075) GENERAL MANAGER: John Ferguson HEAD COACH: Kevin Dean ENTERED AHL: 1992-93 CALDER CUPS: One (1999) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 19 of 24 2015-16 RECORD: 41-22-9-4, 95 pts./0.625 WEBSITE: providencebruins.com
ROCHESTER AMERICANS
NHL AFFILIATION: Buffalo Sabres HOME ICE: Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial (10,662) GENERAL MANAGER: Tim Murray HEAD COACH: Dan Lambert ENTERED AHL: 1956-57 CALDER CUPS: Six (1965, 1966, 1968, 1983, 1987, 1996) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 44 of 60 2015-16 RECORD: 34-38-3-1, 72 pts./0.474 WEBSITE: amerks.com
ST. JOHN’S IC
PRIMARY MA
ST. JOHN’S ICECAPS
NHL AFFILIATION: Montreal Canadiens HOME ICE: Mile One Centre (6,287) GENERAL MANAGER: Marc Bergevin HEAD COACH: Sylvain Lefebrve ENTERED AHL: 2011-12 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 2 of 5 2015-16 RECORD: 32-33-8-3, 75 pts./0.493 WEBSITE: stjohnsicecaps.com
PANTONE 2758 C
PANTONE 187 C
PANTONE 877 C
PANTONE COOL GRAY 11C
WHITE
SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS
NHL AFFILIATION: Florida Panthers HOME ICE: MassMutual Center (6,784) GENERAL MANAGER: Eric Joyce HEAD COACH: Geordie Kinnear ENTERED AHL: 2016-17 WEBSITE: springfieldthunderbirds.com
SYRACUSE CRUNCH
NHL AFFILIATION: Tampa Bay Lightning HOME ICE: War Memorial Arena (6,010) GENERAL MANAGER: Julien BriseBois HEAD COACH: Benoit Groulx ENTERED AHL: 1994-95 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 12 of 22 2015-16 RECORD: 32-29-11-4, 79 pts./0.520 WEBSITE: syracusecrunch.com Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
15
2016-17 AHL DIRECTORY TORONTO MARLIES
CHARLOTTE CHECKERS
UTICA COMETS
CHICAGO WOLVES
WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS
CLEVELAND MONSTERS
NHL AFFILIATION: Carolina Hurricanes HOME ICE: Bojangles’ Coliseum (8,300) GENERAL MANAGER: Derek Wilkinson HEAD COACH: Ulf Samuelsson ENTERED AHL: 2010-11 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 2 of 6 2015-16 RECORD: 36-32-3-5, 80 pts./0.526 WEBSITE: gocheckers.com
NHL AFFILIATION: Toronto Maple Leafs HOME ICE: Ricoh Coliseum (7,851) GENERAL MANAGER: Kyle Dubas HEAD COACH: Sheldon Keefe ENTERED AHL: 2005-06 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 8 of 11 2015-16 RECORD: 54-16-5-1, 114 pts./0.750 WEBSITE: marlies.ca
NHL AFFILIATION: St. Louis Blues HOME ICE: Allstate Arena (16,692) GENERAL MANAGER: Wendell Young HEAD COACH: Craig Berube ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALDER CUPS: Two (2002, 2008) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 10 of 15 2015-16 RECORD: 33-35-5-3, 74 pts./0.487 WEBSITE: chicagowolves.com
NHL AFFILIATION: Vancouver Canucks HOME ICE: Utica Memorial Auditorium (3,860) GENERAL MANAGER: Pat Conacher HEAD COACH: Travis Green ENTERED AHL: 2013-14 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 2 of 3 2015-16 RECORD: 38-26-8-4, 88 pts./0.579 WEBSITE: uticacomets.com
NHL AFFILIATION: Columbus Blue Jackets HOME ICE: Quicken Loans Arena (19,665/10,025 lower bowl) GENERAL MANAGER: Bill Zito HEAD COACH: John Madden ENTERED AHL: 2007-08 (as Lake Erie Monsters) CALDER CUPS: One (2016) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 2 of 9 2015-16 RECORD: 43-22-6-5, 97 pts./0.638 WEBSITE: clevelandmonsters.com
NHL AFFILIATION: Pittsburgh Penguins HOME ICE: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza (8,050) GENERAL MANAGER: Jason Botterill HEAD COACH: Clark Donatelli ENTERED AHL: 1999-00 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 15 of 17 2015-16 RECORD: 43-27-4-2, 92 pts./0.605 WEBSITE: wbspenguins.com
WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION: Grand Rapids, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Iowa, Manitoba, Milwaukee, Rockford
BAKERSFIELD CONDORS
GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS
NHL AFFILIATION: Detroit Red Wings HOME ICE: Van Andel Arena (10,834) GENERAL MANAGER: Ryan Martin PACIFIC DIVISION: HEAD COACH: Todd Nelson Bakersfield, Ontario, ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 San Antonio, San Diego, BAKERSFIELD CONDORS CALDER CUPS: One (2013) San Jose, Stockton, PRIMARY MARK Texas, Tucson SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 10 of 15 2015-16 RECORD: 44-30-1-1, 90 pts./0.592 WEBSITE: griffinshockey.com
NHL AFFILIATION: Edmonton Oilers HOME ICE: Rabobank Arena (8,751) GENERAL MANAGER: Keith Gretzky HEAD COACH: Gerry Fleming ENTERED AHL: 2015-16 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 0 of 1 2015-16 RECORD: 31-28-7-2, 71 pts./0.522 WEBSITE: bakersfieldcondors.com
IOWA WILD
PANTONE 281 C
PANTONE 172 C
PANTONE 429 C
WHITE
NHL AFFILIATION: Minnesota Wild HOME ICE: Wells Fargo Arena (8,356) GENERAL MANAGER: Brent Flahr HEAD COACH: Derek Lalonde ENTERED AHL: 2013-14 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 0 of 3 2015-16 RECORD: 24-41-5-6, 59 pts./0.388 WEBSITE: iowawild.com 2015-16
THE ROAD TO THE CALDER CUP
16 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
2016-17 AHL DIRECTORY
SAN DIEGO GU
MANITOBA MOOSE
PRIMARY MARK
PRIMARY MARK
MANITOBA MOOSE
SAN DIEGO GULLS
NHL AFFILIATION: Winnipeg Jets HOME ICE: MTS Centre (8,812) GENERAL MANAGER: Craig Heisinger HEAD COACH: Pascal Vincent ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 (played through 2010-11; re-entered 2015-16) CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 9 of 11 2015-16 RECORD: 26-41-4-5, 61 pts./0.401 WEBSITE: moosehockey.com
PANTONE 282 C
PANTONE 2945 C
PANTONE COOL GRAY 11
NHL AFFILIATION: Anaheim Ducks HOME ICE: Valley View Casino Center (12,920) GENERAL MANAGER: Bob Ferguson HEAD COACH: Dallas Eakins ENTERED AHL: 2015-16 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 1 of 1 MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS 2015-16 RECORD: 39-23-4-2, 84 pts./0.618 PRIMARY MARK WEBSITE: sandiegogulls.com
PANTONE 429 C
2015-16
WHITE
SAN JOSE BARR PANTONE 1655 C
PANTONE MEDIUM BLUE C
PANTONE 5455 C
PROCESS BLACK
WHITE
PRIMARY MAR
SAN JOSE BARRACUDA
MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS
NHL AFFILIATION: Nashville Predators HOME ICE: UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena (9,591) GENERAL MANAGER: Paul Fenton HEAD COACH: Dean Evason ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALDER CUPS: One (2004) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 13 of 15 2015-16 RECORD: 48-23-3-2,101 pts./0.664 WEBSITE: milwaukeeadmirals.com
PANTONE 282 C
PANTONE 292 C
PANTONE COOL GRAY 4 C
WHITE
NHL AFFILIATION: San Jose Sharks HOME ICE: SAP Center at San Jose (6,123, curtained) GENERAL MANAGER: Joe Will HEAD COACH: Roy Sommer ENTERED AHL: 2015-16 CALDER CUPS: None ONTARIO REIGN SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 1 of 1 PRIMARY MARK 2015-16 RECORD: 31-26-8-3, 73 pts./0.537 WEBSITE: sjbarracuda.com
ONTARIO REIGN
NHL AFFILIATION: Los Angeles Kings HOME ICE: Citizens Business Bank Arena (9,491) GENERAL MANAGER: Rob Blake HEAD COACH: Mike Stothers ENTERED AHL: 2015-16 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 1 of 1 2015-16 RECORD: 44-19-4-1, 93 pts./0.684 WEBSITE: ontarioreign.com
PANTONE 429 C
PANTONE 3155 C
PANTONE 429 C
PANTONE 152 C
STOCKTON
PROCESS BLACK
WHITE
PRIMARY MA
2015-16
STOCKTON HEAT
PROCESS BLACK
WHITE
ROCKFORD ICEHOGS
NHL AFFILIATION: Chicago Blackhawks HOME ICE: BMO Harris Bank Center (5,895) GENERAL MANAGER: Mark Bernard HEAD COACH: Ted Dent ENTERED AHL: 2007-08 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 5 of 9 2015-16 RECORD: 40-22-10-4, 94 pts./0.618 WEBSITE: icehogs.com
NHL AFFILIATION: Calgary Flames HOME ICE: Stockton Arena (9,737) GENERAL MANAGER: Brad Pascall HEAD COACH: Ryan Huska ENTERED AHL: 2015-16 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 0 of 1 2015-16 RECORD: 32-32-2-2, 68 pts./0.500 WEBSITE: stocktonheat.com
TEXAS STA
PRIMARY MAR
2015-16
PANTONE 186 C
PANTONE 110 C
PANTONE 3425 C
METALLIC SILVER 877
PANTONE 425 C
PANTONE 142 C
PROCESS BLACK
TEXAS STARS
NHL AFFILIATION: Dallas Stars HOME ICE: H-E-B Center at Cedar Park (6,863) GENERAL MANAGER: Scott White HEAD COACH: Derek Laxdal ENTERED AHL: 2009-10 CALDER CUPS: One (2014) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 6 of 7 2015-16 RECORD: 40-25-8-3, 91 pts./0.599 WEBSITE: texasstars.com
PANTONE 877 C
PROCESS BLACK
WHITE
SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE
TUCSON ROADRUNNERS
Eight teams in each conference will qualify for the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs.
The division semifinals will be best-of-five series, with the first-place team playing the fourth-place team and the second-place team facing the third-place team. The division finals, conference finals and Calder Cup Finals will be best-of-seven series.
NHL AFFILIATION: Colorado Avalanche HOME ICE: AT&T Center (6,374, lower bowl) GENERAL MANAGER: Craig Billington HEAD COACH: Eric Veilleux ENTERED AHL: 2002-03 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 4 of 14 2015-16 RECORD: 33-35-8-0, 74 pts./0.487 WEBSITE: sarampage.com
The top four teams in each division, ranked by points percentage (points earned divided by points available), will qualify for the postseason.
NHL AFFILIATION: Arizona Coyotes HOME ICE: Tucson Convention Center Arena (6,700) GENERAL MANAGER: Doug Soetaert HEAD COACH: Mark Lamb ENTERED AHL: 2016-17 WEBSITE: tucsonroadrunners.com
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
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WHITE
Helping bring progress and promise to communities since 1866. 150 years ago, we opened our first branch. There were no debit cards or mobile apps. Heck, there wasn’t even electricity. All we had were our bankers, their pens and a promise. A promise that we’d help build the community. A promise to communicate honestly with our customers. And a promise to do the right thing. Keeping this promise has led to some extraordinary things over the last century and a half, but none greater than the privilege of helping transform the lives of people right in our own backyard.
Member FDIC. ¥® and Huntington® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. Huntington® Welcome.TM and Welcome. Our story for generations.SM are service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. ©2016 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.
DETROIT
RED WINGS
Photo: Getty Images
Riley Sheahan, Tomas Tatar, Joakim Andersson and Gustav Nyquist were among 25 former Griffins who played at least one game for the Red Wings during the 2015-16 campaign. After guiding Detroit to its 25th consecutive playoff berth in his first season as head coach, Jeff Blashill returns to the Red Wings’ bench alongside a staff that includes former Grand Rapids assistant coaches Pat Ferschweiler, Jeff Salajko and Dave Noel-Bernier.
GRIFFINS WHO HAVE EARNED THEIR WINGS
*
Justin Abdelkader, 2008-09 Adam Almquist, 2013-14 Joakim Andersson, 2011-12 Andreas Athanasiou, 2015-16 Sean Avery, 2002-03 Ryan Barnes, 2003-04 Tyler Bertuzzi, 2016-17 Patrick Boileau, 2002-03 Darryl Bootland, 2003-04 Fabian Brunnstrom, 2011-12 Mitch Callahan, 2013-14 Ty Conklin, 2011-12 Chris Conner, 2011-12 Danny DeKeyser, 2013-14 Aaron Downey, 2008-09
Patrick Eaves, 2013-14 Matt Ellis, 2006-07 Cory Emmerton, 2010-11 Jonathan Ericsson, 2007-08 Landon Ferraro, 2013-14 Valtteri Filppula, 2005-06 Luke Glendening, 2013-14 Mark Hartigan, 2007-08 Darren Helm, 2007-08 Jimmy Howard, 2005-06 Jiri Hudler, 2003-04 Matt Hussey, 2006-07 Doug Janik, 2009-10 Tomas Jurco, 2013-14 Jakub Kindl, 2009-10
Tomas Kopecky, 2005-06 Niklas Kronwall, 2003-04 Marc Lamothe, 2003-04 Josh Langfeld, 2006-07 Dylan Larkin, 2015-16 Brian Lashoff, 2012-13 Brett Lebda, 2005-06 Ville Leino, 2008-09 Joey MacDonald, 2006-07 Donald MacLean, 2005-06 Anthony Mantha, 2015-16 Alexey Marchenko, 2013-14 Darren McCarty, 2007-08 Tom McCollum, 2010-11 Derek Meech, 2006-07
TOP AFFILIATE
Grand Rapids Griffins 15th Season
ARENA
Kevin Miller, 2003-04 Mark Mowers, 2003-04 Petr Mrazek, 2012-13 Jan Mursak, 2010-11 Anders Myrvold, 2003-04 Andrej Nestrasil, 2014-15 Kris Newbury, 2009-10 Tomas Nosek, 2015-16 Gustav Nyquist, 2011-12 Xavier Ouellet, 2013-14 Teemu Pulkkinen, 2013-14 Kyle Quincey, 2005-06 Mattias Ritola, 2007-08 Jamie Rivers, 2003-04 Nathan Robinson, 2003-04
Stacy Roest, 2002-03 Riley Sheahan, 2011-12 Brendan Smith, 2011-12 Ryan Sproul, 2013-14 Garrett Stafford, 2007-08 Eric Tangradi, 2015-16 Tomas Tatar, 2010-11 Jordin Tootoo, 2013-14 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), Andreas Lilja (2009-10), Jonas Gustavsson (201213), Carlo Colaiacovo (2012-13) and Stephen Weiss (2014-15).
MANAGEMENT
Executive VP/General Manager: Ken Holland Assistant General Manager: Ryan Martin
COACHING STAFF
Joe Louis Arena • Seating Capacity: 20,066
Head Coach: Jeff Blashill
CONTACT
Assistant Coaches: John Torchetti, Doug Houda, Pat Ferschweiler, Chris Chelios
(313) 394-7000 • detroitredwings.com
STANLEY CUPS
1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008
Goaltending Coach: Jeff Salajko Video Coach: Dave Noel-Bernier Strength & Conditioning Coach: Mike Kadar Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
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— THERE’S MORE TO THE GAME THAN JUST SCORING GOALS. In hockey, strength of character can come from just about any place: good coaching, hard work, perserverance, family guidance and even the surrounding community. Strength of character is very often the reason–if not the result–why so many people in Grand Rapids use public transportation like The Rapid. It’s smart, empowering and can lead to greater things and even greater stories. Just like what the Griffins do.
Tell us why you ride The Rapid
MORETOTHERIDE.ORG
2016-17 GRIFFINS PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE DEC. 2 Presented by DTE Energy
JAN. 28 Social Media Night/Beer Stein Giveaway presented by Centennial Securities
DEC. 9 ‘80s Fauxback Night/Ice Scraper Giveaway presented by WZZM 13/Jersey Auction
FEB. 4 Tyler Bertuzzi Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union DEC. 31 20th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration presented by Farm Bureau Insurance/Post-Game Fireworks/6 p.m. start
FEB. 6 12th Annual Griffins & Sled Wings Sled Hockey Game, benefiting the Grand Rapids Sled Wings and the Griffins Youth Foundation
JAN. 7 Superhero Night/Goalie Helmet Bank Giveaway presented by Comerica Bank JAN. 21 Alpine Hat Giveaway presented by Adventure Credit Union/ Fan-Designed Jersey Auction #1
FEB. 8 Presented by Spectrum Health Heart Center JAN. 21-22 15th Annual Great Skate Winterfest at Rosa Parks Circle, benefiting the Griffins Youth Foundation JAN. 27 Presented by WZZM 13
FEB. 15 16th Annual Matinee Game presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield/11 a.m. start FEB. 17 Sixth Annual Purple Community Game presented by Van Andel Institute/Purple Jersey Auction FEB. 18 Toy Night/Plush Griff Giveaway presented by Flagstar Bank Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
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FEB. 21 Sixth Annual Corks, Pucks & Brews at the Goei Center, benefiting Easter Seals Michigan FEB. 24 Presented by Eikenhout Inc.
MARCH 29 Fifth Annual Brain Injury Awareness Game presented by Brain Injury Association of Michigan APRIL 8 Mascot Night/Nathan Paetsch Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Michigan Office Solutions FEB. 25 Star Wars Night presented by DTE Energy
APRIL 12 Third Annual Bring Your Dog Game presented by Nestlé Purina
MARCH 17 St. Patty’s Day Celebration
MARCH 24 ‘90s Night/Fan-Designed Jersey Auction #2
APRIL 14 Season Finale presented by Huntington Bank/ Friday Night Jersey Auction
SEASON-LONG PROMOTIONS $2 Beers and $2 Hot Dogs: Every Friday, enjoy $2 domestic drafts and $2 hot dogs from 6-8 p.m., while supplies last. Get in the D-ZONE: Presented by Family Fitness, every Friday night is a Griffins D-Zone night. Avoid the concession lines and get your $2 beers and $2 hot dogs served to you in your seats. Call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2 or visit griffinshockey.com/dzone today to purchase a package of four or more D-Zone tickets for any Friday night game. Military Nights: Every home game, current members of our military can purchase up to four Upper Level tickets for $14 each or four Lower Level Faceoff tickets for $18 each with a valid military ID. The offer also extends to veterans who present a VA ID or discharge papers. College Nights: Presented by Michigan First Credit Union, college students can show their ID at every Friday game to purchase an Upper Level ticket for $14 (or $13 in advance at The Zone). Limit one ticket per ID. Free Ride Friday on The Rapid: Ride the Rapid to and from any Friday game and enjoy a complimentary fare by showing your ticket to that night’s game. Visit ridetherapid.org for schedule information, routes and maps. Hockey Night in Grand Rapids: For select Wednesday games (Dec. 7, Jan. 25, Feb. 8 and March 29), show your Griffins ticket at participating Arena District restaurants and bars to enjoy Hockey Night specials. Visit
griffinshockey.com/hockeynight for participating establishments and more information. Winning Wednesdays: Presented by Farm Bureau Insurance, every time the Griffins win at home on Wednesday, each fan in attendance will receive a free ticket to the next Wednesday game. To redeem a Winning Wednesday ticket, please visit the box office following the Winning Wednesday game, The Zone during normal business hours, or the Van Andel Arena box office prior to the next Wednesday game beginning at 5:30 p.m. Fans who exchange their Winning Wednesday ticket at The Zone on a non-game day will receive 20% off the purchase of one item (excluding jerseys). One discount per person present.
Eve), each pack incudes four tickets and $12 in concession cash for a great low price. Visit griffinshockey.com/f4p or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2. Continuing this season, fans may use their concession cash to purchase healthy choice menu options at the stand located outside of section 125, including low-fat yogurt, apples, oranges, granola bars and smoothies. Pepsi Reading Goals: Children with Griff’s Reading Goals bookmarks who have completed the required three hours of reading can redeem their bookmark for two free Upper Level tickets to any of the following games: Bookmark #1 – Dec. 7 and 21; Bookmark #2 – Jan. 25; Feb. 8; March 29; April 12.
Post-Game Parties at Peppino’s: After every Wednesday game, join Griffins players and staff for the official post-game party at Peppino’s Sports Grille downtown.
Arby’s Post-Game Open Skates: Dec. 31, Feb. 4, Feb. 25 and April 8.
Library Nights: For every Wednesday game, fans can present their Grand Rapids Public Library card or Kent District Library card at the Van Andel Arena box office on the night of the game or at The Zone anytime during the store’s regular business hours to purchase either an Upper Level ticket for $14 (regularly $16 advance and $19 day of game) or a Lower Level Faceoff ticket for $18 (regularly $20 advance and $23 day of game). Limit four tickets per card per person, subject to availability.
MOS Corner Office: Presented by Michigan Office Solutions, this section, located on the terrace level above section 118, 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 ext. 4.
Friends & Family 4-Packs: Available for all Saturday games (excluding New Year’s
Huntington Bank Post-Game Autograph Sessions: Dec. 9, Jan. 7, Jan. 28 and Feb. 18.
J. Gardella’s Burger and Beer Special: Available on select tickets, take your used Griffins ticket to J. Gardella’s Tavern to enjoy a burger and beer for $7. Refer to the back of select tickets for details.
ALL PROMOTIONS AND DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT GRIFFINSHOCKEY.COM. 22 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
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Ben Street has faced his share of potholes during his hockey career. Battle scars. Most hockey players have them. Some are more prominent than others – whether the result of an errant stick, a deflected puck, a check into the boards or the remnants of stitches from a surgeon’s scalpel. Griffins center Ben Street is no stranger to danger. He has sustained a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, a break of one hand and a torn ligament in the other, a torn pectoral muscle in his chest, and more bumps and bruises than he cares to count. Perhaps the scariest moment in his seven years as a pro occurred this past October, when the skate of Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Justin Holl cut his neck during a collision along the boards in a preseason game in Hamilton, Ontario. “His skate came up and thumped me in the neck,” Street recalled. “I knew something had hit me, but I didn’t know what. I was hoping it was the heel of the boot and not the blade. I had no idea how bad it was.” Street immediately grabbed his neck with his gloved hand and headed straight to the bench before being taken to a local hospital. Doctors there explored the wound and
determined that the skate had not severed any major arteries or veins. Sidelined for a couple of weeks to give the injury time to heal, Street was anxious to get back into action. He appeared in his first game in Grand Rapids on Oct. 21, then scored his first goal in a Griffins jersey the next night. “I felt OK physically, but there was definitely some tentativeness about getting into a game and getting into battles,” he said. The freak accident was not exactly the start of the season he had envisioned this summer when he signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings, his fourth organization in the past seven years. Especially considering that an injury had forced him to miss most of last season. But, as the saying suggests, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Of course, Street learned early on not to buckle to weakness. His father was an emergency room physician. “Growing up, my sister and I used to joke that nothing was serious – everything was bruised,” he said. “You could take care of everything with ice.” His mom was a nurse, so it’s no surprise that he developed a strong work ethic.
WARR
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Story and photos by Mark Newman
ROAD
RIOR Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
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“When you take shift work, you work nights and brutal hours,” Street said. “My dad never complained and he still made it to games. The other thing was, as an emergency room physician, he must have had some pretty bad days at work, but when he came home, we could never really tell.” Street played hockey and lacrosse while growing up in British Columbia just east of the Vancouver metropolitan area. He played bantam hockey in nearby Burnaby then played two years of junior hockey in Salmon Arm, a tourist enclave that is 4-1/2 hours northeast. A decent student away from the rink, Street decided to further his hockey career at the University of Wisconsin. “When I researched things a bit more, college seemed like a good route for me,” he said. “I went out east and looked at a few Ivy League schools. I visited Notre Dame. When I went to Madison, it seemed like a good fit for
Street helped the University of Wisconsin Badgers win the 2006 NCAA title. 26 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
“It takes a lot of luck to get through a one-game elimination tournament, but all the way through we had this mentality that it was ours to win.” me as a hockey player and as a person.” His freshman season, 2005-06, affirmed that he had made the right decision when the Badgers won the NCAA title. “Jack Skille and I were the only freshmen who played regularly and we did our best to fit in,” he recalled. “There was a serious culture among the upperclassmen that we were there to win, so winning the title was pretty special. It really solidified our team in school history.” Highly ranked during the season, Wisconsin had the advantage – and faced the added pressure – of competing in the NCAA regional in Green Bay and the Frozen Four in Milwaukee. “It takes a lot of luck to get through a one-game elimination tournament, but all the way through we had this mentality that it was ours to win,” Street said. The journey included a 1-0 triple-overtime victory over Cornell in the regional final. Skille’s goal in the middle of the third extra stanza ended the longest scoreless game in NCAA tournament history. “It was the most intense game I’ve ever been a part of,” Street said. “When you’re in situations like that as a young player, you grow so much.” It was at Wisconsin that Street solidified his reputation as a strong two-way player, thanks to the guidance of head coach Mike Eaves. “He was a demanding coach who really paid attention to details,” he said. “His video sessions were like nothing I had experienced. He knew how to win, and I came to realize how every player has to be accountable to succeed.” After two more solid seasons in Madison, Street was looking forward to making the most of his final year with the Badgers when
Street is considered a two-way player, strong in his own end as well as the offensive zone.
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he sustained a knee injury that required major surgery. Flying back from Denver to Madison, he pondered the thought that his senior year had ended just three games and one period into the season. When the school petitioned for a redshirt season, Street felt relieved to be granted a fifth year. And although his college career didn’t end as well as it started – the Badgers lost 5-0 to Boston College in the 2010 national championship game at Ford Field in Detroit – he felt fortunate to reach the Frozen Four twice. Once he had played out his collegiate eligibility, Street signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization as an undrafted free agent. He started his pro career with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers. “I was really disheartened when I didn’t get an NHL deal coming out of school,” he said. “Then getting assigned to the ECHL seemed
Street was ECHL Rookie of the Year for the 2010-11 season. 28 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
“I realized that if I was going to get out of that league, I had to have incredible numbers. After a slow start, things started to take off.” like I was falling into a black pit. Fortunately, Stan Drulia, who was my coach in Wheeling, was instrumental in getting me back on track.” Although Street had not been a big point producer in college, Drulia convinced him that he was capable of scoring and winning games with his offensive ability. “I realized that if I was going to get out of that league, I had to have incredible numbers. After a slow start, things started to take off.” In just 38 games, Street tallied 24 goals and 27 assists – numbers that not only garnered him a promotion to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton Penguins but also earned him Rookie of the Year honors in the ECHL, even though he had played only half the season there. Street continued to produce in the AHL for the rest of the 2010-11 season as well as the next, but his progress in the Penguins organization was blocked by the fact that the club’s top three centers were none other than Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal. “I looked at that logjam and figured there wasn’t much opportunity for me,” he said. He spent the next two seasons (2012-13 and 2013-14) in the Calgary Flames organization, playing mostly in Abbotsford, which meant that he was close to home. “From exit to exit, it was 35 minutes from home, so Sunday nights after games, I could go home and mom would cook,” he said. “But playing in Abbotsford was difficult because we weren’t close to anything. You could look at the AHL map and see that the team shouldn’t be there. Travel was a huge challenge. It felt like being on the road the whole season.”
Street has appeared in NHL games with the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche.
Street made his NHL debut during the 2012-13 season. Fittingly, his first game was in Vancouver. He sprung for 10 tickets for family and friends. “When you’re on the road, you have to buy the tickets and Vancouver isn’t a cheap ticket,” he said. “Being that it was my first NHL game, I had to get them good seats, so that meant $250 per ticket. I was definitely playing for free that night.” Memories of the Feb. 9, 2013 contest are ingrained in his mind. “I remember the team made me go out first for warmups and I did two laps on my own before anyone else came out. I did everything I could not to fall,” he recalled. “Everything seemed surreal. There were guys on the other team that I had grown up watching and there were guys on my own team that I had idolized, so it was hard to believe that I was actually part of it. You feel a little like you’re in a video game, but it was really fun and the fact that it was in Vancouver made it special.” Feeling he had reached a point in his career when he could compete for a full-time NHL job, Street signed a two-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche in 2014. “With Joe Sakic as the general manager and Patrick Roy as head coach, it was a star-studded organization, and going to play for guys like that was obviously an attraction. Plus, they didn’t have a lot of depth at the center position.” But injuries derailed his hopes both seasons. “I tore my pectoral muscle last year and it pretty much killed my season,” he said. “The year before, I had a ligament tear in my hand – it just popped in a face-off – which was after I had broken my other hand while blocking a shot in a camp.” Street is sanguine about his fortunes. “Overcoming adversity can build character,” he said. “I truly believe there’s a reason for everything…I’m not sure what it is yet.” When last year’s pectoral injury threatened to completely curtail his season, Street became bound and determined to return to the lineup before the end of the regular season. “I really wanted to get back and play,” he
said. “Right after surgery, the date was circled on the calendar. It gave me something to work toward. You have to look at the positives. In a long recovery, there are some days when you feel down, but for the most part, you just work toward getting better.” Street looked at the opportunity as a chance to showcase his talents for prospective teams. Although he had serious interest from several teams, he signed with the Red Wings in hopes of someday wearing the winged wheel. “It’s an honor to pull on that iconic jersey and I hope I get the opportunity to do it,” he said. He also liked the idea of playing in Grand Rapids. “If I’m going to be in the AHL, I wanted to be in a good city,” he said, noting that his wife Jessica is due with their first child at the end of November. “One of the attractions was that this is an AHL program that wants to win just like the NHL team that makes the playoffs every year.” At age 29, Street is now a veteran. “My leadership style is by example,” he said. “I’m not a big rah-rah guy. I’m not going to stand up and give a 15-minute speech. A lot of times, your actions speak louder than your words. I try to be the hardest working guy on the ice.” He thinks back to his first NHL camp. “I remember seeing Crosby on the ice early. Here was literally the best player in the league and he was out there working on stuff. There were things that he felt weren’t perfect, but he kept working – repetition, repetition – until it became part of his game,” Street said. “Everyone can develop new skills. There’s always someone who can teach you things and help make you better. I may be an older guy now, but there are still skills that I can learn to make my game better.” A career overachiever, Street is not content to rest on his laurels. He would love to get another taste of the NHL. “Having played in the NHL is a cool achievement when you look at it from 10,000 feet, but in no way do I feel the job is done,” Street said. “From where I am standing right now, I want more.”
“A lot of times, your actions speak louder than your words. I try to be the hardest working guy on the ice.”
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ALL-INCLUSIVE WEDDINGS
OUTDOOR TENT RECEPTION FOR UP TO 150 $9,995 Includes Beer & Wine | Valid for available Saturdays in 2017
R A I L S I D E G O L F C LU B | 6 1 6 . 8 7 8 .1 1 4 0 W W W. R A I L S I D E W E D D I N G S . C O M | 2 5 0 0 7 6 T H S T R E E T, BY R O N C E N T E R , M I
Rookie Kyle Criscuolo is looking to differentiate himself not only as a player but also as a person.
As captain, Criscuolo led Harvard to two straight NCAA tournament appearances.
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OUT
Of
Kyle Criscuolo is not your typical hockey player. At 5-foot-9, he is a less-than-imposing figure on the ice, but he is able to stand tall for what he has accomplished thus far. At Harvard, he was the first junior to serve as captain since 1945 then became the school’s first two-time captain in 92 years as a senior. His Crimson teammates honored him every single year of his collegiate career with the coveted Ralph “Cooney” Weiland Award for his devotion to the game, aggressive and spirited play, and selfless contribution to the total team effort. Criscuolo was also one of five finalists for the 2016 Hockey Humanitarian Award, presented to college hockey’s finest citizen, the student-athlete “who makes significant contributions not only to his team but also to the community-at-large through leadership in volunteerism.” When the New Jersey native was signed to a Griffins contract for the 2016-17 season, there was little question that the Detroit Red Wings organization was getting a person of high caliber. “Sometimes people focus on what he didn’t have and maybe he didn’t have the greatest
Story and photos by Mark Newman
the
size, but his compete level, his heart, his speed and skill allowed him to be an impact guy from the day he set foot on campus,” Harvard head coach Ted Donato told USA Today. “His character, his commitment to the team, and his ability to really work has literally been the recipe for his success.” Criscuolo’s love of the game comes from his father, Bob, who coached him during his formative years. “Work hard, be a good leader and play for the team” was his mantra. “I liked doing the work and I was a bit of a perfectionist,” Criscuolo said. “I think my mom is the one who helped push me that way. She’s very organized and she was always on top of everything. Running around, taking us places, she was always doing a million different things. I wanted to do things right, and if I didn’t get something right, I was hard on myself.” Criscuolo excelled in school. He was a threetime member of the principal’s list at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia, then a two-time member of the dean’s list at Choate Rosemary Hall prep school in Connecticut. He really came into his own at Choate, the prestigious, private boarding school Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
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Criscuolo was one of five finalists for the 2016 Hockey Humanitarian Award, which is given to college hockey’s top student-athlete active in the community.
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whose alumni include President John F. Kennedy, two-time presidential nominee Adlai Stevenson, playwright Edward Albee, philanthropist Paul Mellon, and actors Glenn Close, Michael Douglas, Jamie Lee Curtis and Paul Giamatti, among others. “Obviously, it was hard to leave all my friends at St. Joe,” he said. “But I knew I wanted to go to a school that would challenge me even further while allowing me the opportunity to play hockey at the highest level. The decision to attend boarding school definitely prepared me for college.” The high academic ideals at Choate were bolstered by a student-faculty ratio of 6:1. “With only six or seven students in a class, you couldn’t just sit in the back,” Criscuolo said. “You had to engage with your teacher and your classmates, so the education was more conversationally based.” English literature classes had him reading 30-40 pages every night. At Choate, classroom discussions were compulsory. Math classes could be especially tough. Not every course, however, was so taxing. “Woodshop was one of my more memorable but less intense courses,” he said. “We made props for plays in the theatre. At the end of the course, we could build whatever we wanted, so a bunch of us made a Stanley Cup out of wood. It was pretty good, actually. One of the guys still has it.” Before enrolling at Harvard, Criscuolo played a year of hockey in the USHL with the Sioux City Musketeers. “I thought I needed an extra year, and it was a great experience,” he said. “I felt the hockey would be better and the overall experience would be more worldly than if I just stayed on the East Coast.” As a freshman at Harvard, he quickly established himself as a key contributor. He scored his first collegiate points with a goal and an assist against Brown. He scored Harvard’s lone goal against Yale. He tied the game in the third period of an eventual upset of No. 1 Quinnipiac and assisted on the game-winning goal in the first game of a playoff series against Dartmouth. Even so, he felt he could do more. “As a freshman, I didn’t know what to expect and we didn’t have a great season,” he said. “Halfway through the year, guys were demoralized. Going to the rink wasn’t fun. The next season was another down year. But that’s when guys started to come together.”
Criscuolo was the first two-time captain of the Harvard hockey team in 92 years.
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The team brought in an ex-Navy SEAL to rally the troops. Criscuolo and his teammates read Legacy, best-selling author James Kerr’s book on the All Blacks, the legendary rugby team of New Zealand. They jotted down their impressions in personal diaries. “We took a lot of the lessons in the book to heart,” he said. “Be humble. Whether you win or lose, you ‘sweep the sheds.’ Everyone is equal. Cohesion is one of the most important characteristics of a championship team.” There were also themes of sacrifice, staying grounded and a desire to “leave the jersey in a better place.” Being a role model, the book suggests, requires a sense of higher purpose. In essence, “better people make better All Blacks.” “We decided that better people would make better Harvard hockey players,” he said. “As the team captain, I helped lead the charge in terms of making sure we had a number of community service events.” Whether it was volunteering with Special Olympics, doing work at a local homeless shelter or teaching hockey to children through the local Boys & Girls Club, Criscuolo and his Crimson teammates embraced the challenge of making a difference. He credits his family, specifically his paternal grandmother, with teaching him the value of doing good for others. “She’s very religious and she’s always volunteering her time, whether it’s at church or soup kitchens. She’s always writing checks to different charitable organizations.” Criscuolo, who majored in psychology while minoring in economics at Harvard, approached every opportunity with the same gusto. While he was building character, he was improving as a hockey player. Harvard made two straight NCAA tournament appearances under his leadership. “The ECAC is a very low-scoring league and any mistake you make ends up in the back of your net. It pushed me to work the whole 200 feet,” he said. “College helped prepare me to play more defensively, so I learned to play both ends of the ice.” After the “best four years of my life,” Criscuolo signed with the Griffins and was able to see action in four games at the end of last season. “That experience was invaluable, because it allowed me to see how the game is played at this level and showed me what I needed to work on during the summer,” he said. 36 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
Criscuolo is a four-time winner of Harvard’s coveted Ralph “Cooney” Weiland Award.
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Criscuolo made a good impression during the Red Wings’ summer development camp then played on a line with Tyler Bertuzzi and Evgeny Svechnikov during the NHL prospects tournament in September. Attending the Red Wings’ fall training camp was another positive. “Playing with some of the best players in the world is something you dream about,” he said. “Being able to bond with the other younger guys and develop some chemistry with them before coming here was a huge help.” Criscuolo tallied six points (2 goals, 4 assists) in his first 12 games this season, and while he has displayed flashes of his speed and hockey IQ, he knows that he must be more consistent. “It’s a process,” he said. “It’s a long season and you need to improve a little bit every day.” So it’s no surprise when he is the last one off the ice after practice. “You have to prove yourself and try to differentiate yourself from the guys who have been around,” he said. “You do it by working harder and you do it every game and every shift.” And that’s one lesson that Criscuolo believes bears repeating.
38 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
Criscuolo signed a one-year contract with the Griffins last March.
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22 CONOR ALLEN
Defenseman 6-1, 205 lbs. Born: 1/31/90 Chicago, Ill.
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LOUIS-MARC AUBRY Forward 6-4, 218 lbs. Born: 11/11/91 Arthabaska, Que.
15 `MATTHEW CAITO
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JARED COREAU Goaltender 6-6, 220 lbs. Born: 11/5/91 Perth, Ont.
40 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
11
Forward 5-9, 175 lbs. Born: 5/5/92 Philadelphia, Pa.
DANIEL CLEARY
Forward 6-1, 200 lbs. Born: 4/17/91 Toronto, Ont.
55 KYLE CRISCUOLO
Forward 6-0, 185 lbs. Born: 4/23/92 Ottawa, Ont.
COLIN CAMPBELL
Forward 6-0, 195 lbs. Born: 8/17/91 Whittier, Calif.
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MIKE BORKOWSKI
Forward 6-1, 200 lbs. Born: 2/24/95 Sudbury, Ont.
MITCH CALLAHAN
Defenseman 5-11, 190 lbs. Born: 8/13/93 Coto de Caza, Calif.
21 TYLER BERTUZZI
Forward 6-1, 205 lbs. Born: 12/18/78 Carbonear, Nfld.
27 MATTHEW FORD
Forward 6-1, 214 lbs. Born: 10/9/84 West Hills, Calif.
MARTIN FRK
Forward 6-0, 200 lbs. Born: 10/5/93 Pelhrimov, Czech Republic
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JOE HICKETTS
Defenseman 5-8, 180 lbs. Born: 5/4/96 Kamloops, B.C.
8 ANTHONY MANTHA
Forward 6-1, 200 lbs. Born: 3/30/95 Barrie, Ont.
20
EDDIE PASQUALE
Forward 5-11, 200 lbs. Born: 2/13/87 Coquitlam, B.C.
TOMAS NOSEK
Forward 6-3, 210 lbs. Born: 9/1/92 Pardubice, Czech Republic
5
EVGENY SVECHNIKOV
Forward 6-1, 205 lbs. Born: 10/31/96 Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia
NATHAN PAETSCH Defenseman 6-1, 195 lbs. Born: 3/30/83 Humboldt, Sask.
29 ROBBIE RUSSO
Defenseman 6-3, 205 lbs. Born: 6/1/94 Ajax, Ont.
77 BEN STREET
Forward 5-9, 171 lbs. Born: 7/3/90 Oakville, Ont.
4
DAN RENOUF
Goaltender 6-2, 215 lbs. Born: 11/20/90 Toronto, Ont.
MATT LORITO
Defenseman 6-3, 221 lbs. Born: 7/16/90 Albany, N.Y.
19 ZACH NASTASIUK
Forward 6-5, 204 lbs. Born: 9/16/94 Longueuil, Que.
10
BRIAN LASHOFF
Defenseman 6-0, 200 lbs. Born: 9/21/90 St. Paul, Minn.
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NICK JENSEN
DYLAN SADOWY
Defenseman 6-0, 195 lbs. Born: 2/15/93 Westmont, Ill.
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Forward 6-1, 205 lbs. Born: 4/2/96 Brampton, Ont.
23 ERIC TANGRADI
Forward 6-4, 230 lbs. Born: 2/10/89 Philadelphia, Pa.
DOMINIC TURGEON
Forward 6-2, 201 lbs. Born: 2/25/96 Pointe-Claire, Que. Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
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Story and photos by Mark Newman
Renouf signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Red Wings this past March.
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MAINE ATTRACTION Defenseman Dan Renouf hopes to follow in the footsteps of Jimmy Howard and Gustav Nyquist into a job with the Detroit Red Wings.
Deciding to leave college for the pros is not easy, and it was especially hard for Dan Renouf. Choosing to forego his senior season at the University of Maine was a difficult decision for the Ontario-born defenseman, because getting an education was an important factor in choosing college over junior hockey. He had always been a good student, and his parents – his father is an electrician for the City of Toronto, his mother a dietary aide – believed that a college education would prove invaluable in the long run. Renouf had spent a year at the Hill Academy, one of the few prep schools in Ontario, where a high level of academic and athletic achievement helped condition his student-athletic mind to the rigors of college. He spent the next two years strengthening his hockey skills with the Youngstown Phantoms in the United States Hockey League (USHL), which only bolstered his belief that college was the way to go. Now he was thinking about leaving. As an undrafted prospect, he was free to sign with any NHL team of his choosing.
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At 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, Renouf brings a big, physical element to the blue line.
44 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
“I knew I had an opportunity to leave college, but it was tough,” Renouf said of his thought process this past spring. “Maine did not have a great season, and as a team, we hadn’t accomplished as much as I wanted. “I took a whole week to decide if I was going back or leaving, and then another week to decide which team I was going to. Those two weeks involved a lot of stress and soulsearching, a lot of staring at the ceiling. In the end, I think I made the right choice for myself.” Ultimately, he followed the lead of two other former Black Bear players, both of whom left school before their senior seasons. Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard left Maine in 2005 and forward Gustav Nyquist in 2011. “When I was trying to decide, I got a call from Nyquist and I think it helped,” said Renouf, now age 22. “He had a lot of really good things to say about how the Red Wings treated him after playing in Maine. That connection really helped me in making my decision.” His dream had always been to play pro hockey, and yet he needed to fulfill the promise to his parents that he would get an education. “I have about six more courses for my business
management major, and I plan to get my degree in the next couple of years,” he said. Renouf played six games with the Griffins at the end of last season, which gave him a taste of pro hockey. “Playing those games helped ease my mind,” he said. “It gave me a good understanding of the game, and I think my style of play translates from college to the pros. Most importantly, it was an opportunity to get to know the guys.” From the start, Renouf was impressed by the tightness of the Red Wings organization. “Compared to my other choices, it seemed like a big family here,” he said. “Detroit really values their players, and they’ve had such success that I wanted to be a part of the organization.” While Danny DeKeyser, a free agent signing out of Western Michigan University, was able to essentially jump from college to the Red Wings (he played in the 2013 Calder Cup Finals with the Griffins), Renouf realizes his path will more likely follow those of Howard and Nyquist, both of whom spent the better part of four seasons in Grand Rapids.
Renouf is the third college free agent defenseman signed by the Wings in recent years, following on the heels of Danny DeKeyser and Robbie Russo. Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
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“I knew Detroit likes their players to develop through their system,” he said. “In fact, that was one of their selling points. They told me, ‘Don’t look at getting there quick. Look at getting there and staying there. Developing and making sure you’re ready for the jump is smarter than rushing into things.’ And I totally agree with that.” Renouf had been the Black Bears’ top-scoring defenseman during his junior season. He received a ton of ice time as he quarterbacked a power play unit and played an important role as a penalty killer. “Dan is a heck of a player. I think he has a chance to play for a long time in the NHL,” Maine coach Red Gendron told the Bangor Daily News last March. “He was a pretty good defensive defenseman early in his career, and he elevated his game as time went on. “He worked to add elements to his game and improve the elements he was already good at. He really elevated the offensive part of his game. He added poise with the puck to his game this year.” Renouf sometimes played up to 30 minutes for the Black Bears, operating as a steady force in Maine’s run-and-gun game.
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“I think my style of play is better suited to the way we play here,” Renouf said, reflecting on his adjustment to Griffins hockey under head coach Todd Nelson. “Being more controlled will allow me to concentrate on my game and be defensively sound. My role now is more of a natural defenseman than a first unit power play guy.” The 6-foot-3, 209-pound Renouf insists that he will continue to improve his play on both sides of the puck. “I would say my strength is the mixture of my mobility and my size and how I use my size to defend,” he said. “I think puck movement is another strength, and I feel like I can contribute offensively. Being a two-way player is something I feel I can bring both to GR and Detroit.” While his confidence grows, he knows he has a long way to go. “Coming into my first year as a pro reminds me of my freshman year at Maine,” he said. “There’s a feeling-out stage because it’s a new environment and new level of play. In a way, I think the situation makes me improve more than if I wasn’t being challenged. I hope
Before coming to Grand Rapids, Renouf played three seasons with the Maine Black Bears.
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this year is no different from the others and that I can make a big jump this year.” Looking back on his three years at Maine, Renouf can see that he made significant strides. “If you look at my play from my freshman year to my junior year, it’s like night and day,” he said. “I improved every aspect of my game both defensively and offensively. I’ve approached every single year as a way to get better.” Renouf believes that if he continues to improve day after day in practice and night after night in game action, he will earn the trust of the Red Wings front office and, eventually, a spot in Detroit. “There are going to be opportunities down the road,” he said. “It’s important that I develop so that I can be ready to take advantage of it.”
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Renouf hails from Pickering, Ontario, which is east of Toronto.
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the
List BRIAN LASHOFF
Now in his eighth season in Grand Rapids with 117 NHL games to his credit, the 26-year-old veteran defenseman has tried hard to keep My guitar his life simple. Playing the guitar is a good outlet Here are for me after practice. When I was 10 things he younger, I had people knock on my apartment door because I had the amp can’t live going and sometimes it was too loud. without. I like my Yamaha silent guitar because
1
you can only hear it through your headphones.
2
Pre-game naps I don’t nap during the summer, but I need a nap on game days during hockey season. It’s usually one hour – nothing more, nothing less. I get too groggy if I sleep longer.
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3
My music library On Spotify, I listen to stuff like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Allman Brothers – a lot of guitars. I don’t think my playlist would make it in the pre-game dressing room, but it’s the music I grew up on and love.
4
My collection of books I love reading on the bus and during my off-time as well. I read mostly memoirs and philosophy. I like reading stories of people’s lives and how they’ve gone through adversity to become successful. My all-time favorite book is Letters from a Stoic by Seneca.
7
Netflix There are some shows on there that I can’t live without. I like House of Cards, and Bloodline is another one I follow. I like documentaries, too.
5
Coffee I like it just black. Usually one cup in the morning and one cup when I get to the rink. I can sleep right after it, too, so my nap doesn’t get affected.
6
Lake George It’s in New York state in the Adirondack Mountains, about 45 minutes north of where I live in Albany. I like to go there and relax in the summertime. A couple of my buddies have boats up there, so we’ll water ski or dive off the cliffs.
8
Christmas break at home My brother Matt plays hockey as well and during the break we all usually get together at my grandparents’ house, which is just down the street from where my parents live. Those couple of days off re-energize me for the rest of the season.
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My pickup truck I have a Chevy Silverado High Country. It’s the perfect size. I can fit my whole life in there when I drive from New York to Michigan every year. The only thing is I’m usually one of the first calls when guys need to move couches or beds, so more than once I’ve had to help guys move stuff.
10
Family I couldn’t live without family. I’m real close to my brother and my dad, especially. They’ve been mentors forever. My brother is almost four years older and he’s been a pro for 11 years, so he’s gone through it all and he’s somebody I can talk to. I talk to him every day and my parents as much as I can. We’re all real close. Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
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8 6 6 . 9 7 6 .1 9 5 2 C R YS TA L M O U N TA I N .C O M 52 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
Photo from archives.
GEAR
GURU Former Griffins goaltender Adam Berkhoel does his best to make sure AHL netminders have the right equipment to do their jobs.
Story and photos by Mark Newman Adam Berkhoel saw it all during his playing career. An eighth-round pick (240th overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft who won a national championship at the University of Denver in 2004, Berkhoel had the
good fortune of rising through the goaltending ranks from the ECHL to the NHL, where he appeared in nine games with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2005-06. His playing career lasted six seasons, including one year with the Grand Rapids Continued on next page
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Griffins (2007-08) when he was the backup to Jimmy Howard. Although the team struggled to a 31-41-2-6 record under first-year head coach Mike Stothers, Berkhoel retains fond memories of the season. “I had a great time, but we definitely underachieved as a team,” he recalled. “With the amount of talent we had, it was a terrible year in terms of wins and losses, but from a personal standpoint, I loved my year with the Griffins. I really enjoyed the guys I played with; the outcome wasn’t quite what we envisioned.” After Grand Rapids, Berkhoel played two more seasons, splitting his time between the AHL and ECHL, before he retired at the age of 29 in 2010. Facing a knee issue before his final season, he underwent meniscus surgery then had a microfracture procedure a month before training camp. He ended up struggling with groin injuries during the 2009-10 campaign. “My body was telling me that it was time,” he said. “I thought about going to Europe, but my wife and I were thinking about starting a family, and then I was presented with the opportunity to become a pro rep for Vaughn.”
His wife is from Lake Orion on the east side of Michigan, not far from Oxford, where the Vaughn equipment company’s U.S. operations are based. The firm also has a factory in London, Ontario, which manufactures product for Canada and Europe. Berkhoel is one of two pro services reps for Vaughn. He works with players at all levels of the pro game as well as college goaltenders and top junior prospects in the Ontario Hockey League. He travels mostly in the Midwest, visiting teams as they come through Grand Rapids and Cleveland in the AHL or Detroit in the NHL. “Vaughn keeps me in touch with hockey,” he said. “It’s a game I played my whole life, and being around the rink and servicing the needs of the players is something I’ve really enjoyed. I believe in the product and Vaughn is a great company to work for.” Berkhoel has no problem standing behind his gear. “The product really speaks for itself. It’s a well-known, well-made product,” he said. “We’re a small company and this business is very competitive, so we stress service and quality. A lot of the stuff I do could be handled over
Berkhoel played nine games in the NHL with the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2005-06 season.
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Berkhoel was already an advocate for Vaughn equipment when he played goal for the Griffins.
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the phone, but working face to face with the players is crucial. It’s also important to build relationships with the equipment managers of the various teams.” Although he works with goalies in the NHL as well as the AHL and ECHL, he tends to spend more time in the minor leagues. “When a goaltender gets to the NHL, they’re usually pretty dialed into what they want,” he said. “We strive to service the AHL just as much as the NHL, because these guys are the future.” Statistically, 82 percent of pro goalies wear at least one piece of Vaughn equipment on the ice, although some pieces are more popular than others. While 40 percent of pro goalies are wearing Vaughn leg pads, only 25 percent depend on the company’s masks and 18 percent use Vaughn sticks. “From a brand awareness, you’d like players to wear the most visible pieces, but we value all of our product,” he said. It’s Berkhoel’s job to make sure his customers are comfortable and confident in their gear. In many ways, the equipment is a natural extension of the player. If a player wants a strap moved or adjusted, it’s up to Berkhoel to help facilitate it. “If they want to change something, I can sit down with the glove lacer or pad sewer and relay that information,” he said. “If they’re struggling and they want to make changes, we’ll put them in new product. We have demo product that they can try out.”
Berkhoel talks to his customers to make sure they’re making changes for the right reason. “When a goalie wants to make changes, it’s not always a positive thing,” he said. “If a goalie wants to change something, we always ask why and for what reason. Sometimes guys are overthinking and we try not to complicate things. “Mike Vaughn (the company’s president and founder) designs product for a reason. If they make changes, it could alter something else in a negative way.” Berkhoel notes that, with every equipment change, there’s always a danger of creating false expectations. “When a guy changes gear, it’s not going to automatically make them better,” he said. “When we make modifications according to their specifications, we want to make sure they’re getting the product that fits their game the best.” Griffins goaltender Jared Coreau, for example, switched this season to stiffer leg pads in an effort to direct away blocked shots. “Goalies in the minors can sometimes be a little more quirky, but a guy like Jared is super easy to work with.” Coreau wears Vaughn gear from head to toe, including a custom-molded mask. Every Pro’s Choice mask from Vaughn is handmade by Dom Malerba from the actual mold of the goaltender’s face. The painstaking process of making a goalie mask by hand ensures the ultimate protection possible.
MEET ALL OF YOUR FAVORITE GRIFFINS PLAYERS
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616.942.2081
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Berkhoel believes goaltending teaching philosophies have changed since he retired in 2010.
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Equipment rep Adam Berkhoel (left) discusses the newest Vaughn product with Griffins goalie Jared Coreau.
Each mask is made from an energydispersing fiber designed for NASA and the U.S. military, combined with a specially designed epoxy resin tested on fighter jets. The new materials allow for the mask to be lighter and stronger than the original. The mask’s custom-made cage features a virtually indestructible front bar made from the highest grade stainless steel available. “We’re always testing new materials,” Berkhoel said. “If you don’t find them, another company will and that’s when guys switch to new product, and that’s when you’re chasing them rather than keeping them happy in your product.” As he travels from team to team and league to league, Berkhoel does his best to keep track of the wants and wishes of every player. “Because the gear is such a passion, you store away a lot of information,” he said. “When you meet with a player, you keep new notes. They may not remember something from the last time, but then you can bring up specifics that can help them next time.” Berkhoel encourages his customers to visit the Oxford factory every summer. Coreau and Howard have been regular visitors, as has Petr Mrazek, another Vaughn client.
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“We try to get as many guys to the factory as possible so they can really see the process,” he said. “People think a piece of equipment is something that you stick in a machine and spit out, but it takes a lot of men and women to manually sew the product. It’s important for the player to see the time and effort that goes into making their equipment.” Berhoel also has been a scout for USA Hockey’s National Development Program, but lately he’s trying to spend more time at his home in Rochester Hills. His family now includes two daughters: Adeline, who’s 2-1/2 years old, and eight-month-old Emery. As it is, sales and service for Vaughn keep him busy. He also does his best to stay up-todate with the latest goalie teaching philosophy. “The position has evolved since I played,” he said. “Every day something is changing. You have to be up to speed with all the product that’s out there, too. There’s a lot to know, but I really love what I do.”
Griffins goalie Jared Coreau wears Vaughn equipment from head to toe.
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Robbie Russo
Donald MacLean
Nathan Paetsch
RECORD BOOK AND LEADERS
Jared Coreau
Joey MacDonald
Mike Fountain
(Through Nov. 15, 2016)
ALL-TIME: ACTIVE LEADER: SINGLE-SEASON: 2015-16:
GAMES PLAYED
Travis Richards....................... 655 Louis-Marc Aubry (4th).......... 318 5 players tied......................... *82 4 players tied........................... 75
GOALS
Michel Picard............................158 Mitch Callahan (4th)...................81 Donald MacLean (2005-06)......*56 Eric Tangradi...............................28
ASSISTS
Michel Picard.................................. 222 Nathan Paetsch (T7th).................... 109 Jiri Hudler (2005-06)........................ 60 Andy Miele....................................... 44
ALL-TIME: ACTIVE LEADER: SINGLE-SEASON: 2015-16:
POINTS
Michel Picard......................... 380 Mitch Callahan (T10th).......... 153 Michel Picard (1996-97)........ 101 Andy Miele.............................. 62
PLUS/MINUS
GOALIE GAMES PLAYED
GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE WINS
Martin Prusek..........................1.83 Jared Coreau (7th)....................2.40 Martin Prusek (2001-02)........*1.83 2015-16: Jared Coreau ........................... 47 Tom McCollum.........................2.42
Joey MacDonald............................. 109 Jared Coreau (7th)............................ 52 Joey MacDonald (2004-05).............. 34 Mike Fountain (2000-01).................*34 Jared Coreau..................................... 29
SHUTOUTS
SAVES
SAVE PERCENTAGE
ALL-TIME: Tom McCollum...................... 226 ACTIVE LEADER: Jared Coreau (T8th).................. 87 SINGLE-SEASON: Joey MacDonald (2004-05).... *66
ALL-TIME: ACTIVE LEADER: SINGLE-SEASON: 2015-16: * Led League
Joey MacDonald....................... 20 Jared Coreau (T3rd).................. 10 6 players tied............................. 6 Jared Coreau.............................. 6
Travis Richards...................... +131 Nathan Paetsch (T2nd)........... +71 Ivan Ciernik (2000-01)...........*+41 Robbie Russo.........................*+40
Tom McCollum.......................5,653 Jared Coreau (5th)..................2,398 Joey MacDonald (2004-05)....1,785 Jared Coreau..........................1,314
PENALTY MINUTES
Darryl Bootland............................1,164 Mitch Callahan (11th)..................... 369 Darryl Bootland (2005-06)............. 390 Tyler Bertuzzi.................................. 133
Martin Prusek...............................0.930 Jared Coreau (3rd)........................0.923 Joey MacDonald (2003-04)..........0.936 Tom McCollum..............................0.923 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
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HALL OF FAME
HONORS
Retired Griffins defenseman Travis Richards was inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Van Andel Arena in October.
Travis Richards was simply looking for a place to play. In the process, he earned a place in the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame. The only Griffins player to have his number retired, Richards played more games and seasons in Grand Rapids than any other professional athlete in the city’s history. A ninth-round pick of the Minnesota North Stars in 1988, Richards spent the last 10 years of his career in Grand Rapids, playing a franchise-record 655 games. Richards was inducted into the local sports hall during a special ceremony on Oct. 20 at Van Andel Arena. The other honorees included boxer Buster Mathis Jr., gymnast Katie Teft-Minasola, football official Jim Augustyn and West Michigan Whitecaps co-owner Denny Baxter. “It’s very special and very humbling,” Richards said during his induction. “It’s quite the honor for something that was so fun to do in such a great place. I look back at my years here as some of the best that I had during my hockey career.” A native of Crystal, Minn., Richards became the second player and first American to sign with the Griffins, on July 26, 1996. He helped lead the Griffins to five division titles, four conference championship appearances and an IHL Turner Cup Finals berth (2000) during his final seven seasons. Richards played nearly his entire pro career in West Michigan. After representing the United States at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, the former Minnesota Golden Gopher made his pro debut with the IHL’s Kalamazoo Wings late in the 1993-94 season. He stayed with the Wings through the 1995-96 campaign, also appearing in three NHL games with the parent Dallas Stars. A mainstay on the Griffins’ blue line for most of his career in Grand Rapids, Richards missed only 43 of 650 regular season contests and 62 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
appeared in all 59 playoff games from 1996-2004, setting a franchise postseason record that was finally tied last season by Nathan Paetsch and Jeff Hoggan. He once set a Griffins record with 126 consecutive games played. During his 13-year pro career, Richards garnered such accolades as Second Team IHL All-Star honors in 2001 and was selected captain of the PlanetUSA squad at the 2004 AHL AllStar Classic in Grand Rapids. He served three seasons (2001-04) as the Griffins’ team captain – the second-longest tenure in franchise history, behind Hoggan’s four years (2012-16) – and spent his other seven seasons as an alternate captain, skating alongside 265 teammates through the years. By the time he retired after the 2005-06 season at age 36, Richards’ name had become synonymous with the Griffins. Known as “Mr. Griffin,” Richards still ranks among the organization’s regular season career leaders with a plus-131 rating (1st), 182 assists (2nd), 238 points (2nd), 995 shots (2nd), 24 power play goals (5th) and 502 penalty minutes (6th). “As a player, I never looked to go anywhere else because I knew I was already in the best place,” said Richards, 46, now director of hockey operations at Southside Ice Arena. Richards joins a Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame roster that already includes 2014 inductee Mike Knuble, the Kentwood, Mich., native and current Griffins assistant coach who played one game for the team in the final season (201213) of his standout 16-year, 1,068-game NHL career, and Griffins co-owner and chief executive officer Dan DeVos, whose family merited the 2011 Outstanding Team Award and whose 2001 Grand Rapids Rampage ArenaBowl XV championship team was honored in 2014.
Richards (far right) is flanked by his fellow inductees (l-r) Denny Baxter, Buster Mathis Jr., Katie Teft-Minasola and Jim Augustyn.
Richards was interviewed during the induction ceremony by WZZM-TV’s Brent Ashcroft.
Richards stands next to his Grand Rapids Sports HOF plaque with Griffins head coach Todd Nelson.
Tom and Bonnie Richards traveled to Grand Rapids to witness their son’s induction into the Grand Rapids Sports HOF.
During the induction ceremony, Richards talked about how much he loved playing in Grand Rapids.
Various items of memorabilia adorn a table in honor Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 63 of the newest Grand Rapids Sports HOF inductee.
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1996-97 1997-98 1998-99
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Jeff Nelson, Michel Picard, Pokey Reddick Ian Gordon, Kerry Huffman, Michel Picard Robert Petrovicky, Maxim Spiridonov John Gruden, Jani Hurme, Kevin Miller, Petr Schastlivy Mike Fountain, Joel Kwiatkowski, Travis Richards, Todd White, Bruce Cassidy (co-coach) Chris Bala, John Gruden, Kip Miller, Martin Prusek, Petr Schastlivy, Bruce Cassidy (head coach), Gene Reilly (asst. coach) Marc Lamothe, Mark Mowers Jiri Hudler, Niklas Kronwall, Travis Richards, Nathan Robinson Niklas Kronwall, Joey MacDonald
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2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
Derek Meech, Kip Miller Jonathan Ericsson, Jimmy Howard Jakub Kindl, Daniel Larsson Patrick Rissmiller Ilari Filppula, Brendan Smith Gustav Nyquist Chad Billins, Petr Mrazek, Gustav Nyquist Alexey Marchenko, Jeff Blashill (head coach) Xavier Ouellet, Teemu Pulkkinen Jeff Hoggan (captain), Xavier Ouellet
1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
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2014 AHL All-Star Alexey Marchenko
2013 AHL All-Star Petr Mrazek
2013 AHL All-Star Gustav Nyquist
Photo by Lindsay A. Mogle/AHL
Photo by Alan Sullivan/AHL
68 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
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2013 AHL All-Star Chad Billins Photo by Alan Sullivan/AHL
2012 AHL All-Star Gustav Nyquist
Photo by PhotoGraphics Photography/AHL
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P E N A LT Y C A L L S
BOARDING Called for any action which causes an opponent to be thrown violently into the boards.
HIGH STICKING Making contact with an opponent while carrying the stick above shoulder hight.
MISCONDUCT 10-minute or disqualification penalty for excessive or additional misbehavior on the ice.
TRIPPING Called for using the stick, arm or leg to cause an opponent to trip or fall.
CHARGING Taking a run at an opposing player using more than three strides to build up speed.
HOLDING Clutching an opposing player’s body with the hands, arms or legs.
ROUGHING Called for engaging in fisticuffs or shoving.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT Called for unsportsmanlike actions such as disputing an official’s decision, grabbing the face mask of a player, etc.
CROSS CHECKING A check or block delivered by a player with both hands on the stick and no part of the stick on the ice.
HOOKING The use of the stick or blade to impede the progress of an opponent.
SLASHING Striking an opposing player with the stick.
DELAYED PENALTY Referee extends his arm and points to the penalized player until the penalized team regains possession of the puck.
INTERFERENCE When a player impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck.
SPEARING Called for using the stick like a spear.
ELBOWING Called when a player uses an elbow to impede an opponent.
KNEEING Called when a player uses a knee to impede an opponent
WASH-OUT When used by the referee, it means goal disallowed. When used by linesmen, it means there is no icing or no offside.
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 73
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GRIFFINS IN THE NHL
2015-16 GRADUATES
Top Row: Mattias Janmark, Dylan Larkin, Kevin Porter, Andreas Athanasiou Bottom Row: Tomas Nosek, Eric Tangradi, Anthony Mantha, Alan Quine
Since their inception in 1996, the Griffins have sent 157 players to the National Hockey League, 16 of whom have gone on to win the Stanley Cup. In fact, a Griffins alumnus has had his name engraved on Lord Stanley’s chalice in six of the last nine years and in eight of the last 12 seasons. In chronological order, here are the 20 goalies and 137 skaters who have worn an NHL sweater after playing for Grand Rapids, along with the dates of their NHL debuts/returns. 1............Pavol Demitra...........................3/17/97 STL at PHX 2............Kevyn Adams...........................10/1/97 TOR vs. WSH 3............Tyler Moss................................10/28/97 CGY vs. PIT 4............Michel Picard..................................1/6/98 STL at SJ 5............Jeff Nelson.............................10/10/98 NSH vs. FLA 6............Patrick Traverse.......................10/10/98 OTT at COL 7............Mark Greig...................................1/7/99 PHI vs. NYI 8............Radim Bicanek............................2/1/99 OTT at VAN 9............Robert Petrovicky........................2/15/99 TB at NYI 10..........Andrei Vasilyev...........................3/5/99 PHX vs. DET 11..........Todd Hlushko...............................4/25/99 PIT vs. NJ 12..........Patrick Lalime............................10/2/99 OTT at PHI 13..........Glen Metropolit......................10/2/99 WSH at FLA 14..........Kevin Miller.............................10/31/99 OTT at ATL 15..........Karel Rachunek.......................10/31/99 OTT at ATL 16..........Erich Goldmann....................11/11/99 OTT vs. NSH 17..........Yves Sarault...............................11/20/99 OTT at NJ 18..........John Gruden...........................11/30/99 OTT vs. CHI 19..........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 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...............................11/4/0x8 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 112........Jan Mursak..............................12/27/10 DET at COL 113........Chris Mueller.........................12/28/10 NSH vs. DAL 114......Tomas Tatar.................12/31/10 DET vs. NYI 115........Cory Emmerton........................1/22/11 DET vs. CHI 116.........Patrick Rissmiller......................2/23/11 ATL at BUF 117 .......Tom McCollum .........................3/30/11 DET vs. STL 118 .....Gustav Nyquist ............ 11/1/11 DET vs. MIN 119 ........Fabian Brunnstrom........................11/5/11 DET vs. ANA 120......Brendan Smith...............11/17/11 DET at SJ 121......Mark Cullen.................11/29/11 FLA at CAR 122........Chris Conner..............................12/2/11 DET at BUF 123........Joakim Andersson.................12/27/11 DET vs. STL 124......Ty Conklin .................... 3/21/12 DET at NYR 125.....Riley Sheahan..................4/7/12 DET vs. CHI 126........Brian Lashoff..............................1/21/13 DET at CBJ 127........Mike Knuble...............................1/26/13 PHI at FLA 128........Jamie Tardif.................................2/2/13 BOS at TOR 129......Petr Mrazek ..................... 2/7/13 DET at STL 130..... Jonas Gustavsson.........2/19/13 DET at NSH 131........Carlo Colaiacovo.........................4/1/13 DET vs. COL 132.....Danny DeKeyser.......... 10/2/13 DET vs. BUF 133.....Luke Glendening........ 10/12/13 DET vs. PHI 134.....Xavier Ouellet................10/21/13 DET vs. SJ 135........Adam Almquist .....................11/4/13 DET at WPG 136........Chad Billins...............................11/5/13 CGY at MIN 137.....Patrick Eaves................12/14/13 DET vs. PIT 138........Tomas Jurco..............................12/15/13 DET vs. TB 139.....Jordin Tootoo..............12/19/13 DET vs. CGY 140.....Alexey Marchenko...........1/4/14 DET at DAL 141.....Teemu Pulkkinen ........3/14/14 DET vs. EDM 142........Landon Ferraro........................3/18/14 DET vs. TOR 143.....Calle Jarnkrok...............3/21/14 NSH at CGY 144........Mitch Callahan...........................3/25/14 DET at CBJ 145.....Ryan Sproul................... 4/13/14 DET at STL 146.....Andrej Nestrasil............10/9/14 DET vs. BOS 147........Stephen Weiss.......................11/24/14 DET vs. OTT 148........Mattias Janmark.......................10/8/15 DAL vs. PIT 149.....Dylan Larkin.................10/9/15 DET vs. TOR 150........Kevin Porter..............................10/10/15 PIT at ARI 151.....Andreas Athanasiou.....11/8/15 DET vs. DAL 152........Tomas Nosek..........................12/26/15 DET at NSH 153........Eric Tangradi...............................1/25/16 DET at NYI 154.....Anthony Mantha...........3/15/16 DET at PHI 155.....Alan Quine.......................4/9/16 NYI vs. PHI 156.....Martin Frk.................. 10/18/16 CAR at EDM 157.....Tyler Bertuzzi.................11/8/16 DET at PHI Bold = Has played in the NHL this season (as of Nov. 20) Italics = Had name engraved on the Stanley Cup after playing for Grand Rapids All photos by Getty Images. Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
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THE OLD COLLEGE TRY (= YELL “COLD” TOGETHER!) Each of the three players featured in this issue – Ben Street (Wisconsin), Kyle Criscuolo (Harvard) and Dan Renouf (Maine) – made it to the pros by way of the collegiate ranks. During our franchise’s history, 14 colleges and universities throughout North America have produced at least a half-dozen future Griffins, including five schools within the state of Michigan. Unscramble the goofy words to form the names of the schools with the most Griffins alumni.
A. MASTICATING, EH?
M_ _ _ _ _ _ _ S _ _ _ _(16)
D. SONIC WINS
W_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _(9)
B. ICING HAM
C. MEN ORATED
M_ _ _ _ _ _ _ (13)
E. I, IMAM
F. BELONG CLOSE TO
M_ _ _ _(8)
G. DECLARE LOGO COOL
M_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _(7)
L. HATCHING MICE?
M_ _ _ _ _ _ _ T _ _ _(6)
B_ _ _ _ _ C_ _ _ _ _ _(7)
H. FIRST EASTER
C_ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ _ _(7)
I. INSANE TOM
N_ _ _ _ D _ _ _(10)
F_ _ _ _ _ S_ _ _ _(7)
J. TOOK DARN HAT!
N_ _ _ _ D _ _ _ _ _(7)
M. HE WINS HAMPER
N_ _ H_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _(6)
K. CHINA MINER THRONG
N_ _ _ _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _ _ _(6)
N. I NAME
M_ _ _ _(6)
ANSWERS: A. Michigan State (16 Griffins alumni), B. Michigan (13), C. Notre Dame (10), D. Wisconsin (9), E. Miami (8), F. Boston College (7), G. Colorado College (7), H. Ferris State (7), I. Minnesota (7), J. North Dakota (7), K. Northern Michigan (6), L. Michigan Tech (6), M. New Hampshire (6), N. Maine (6)
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
79
PARTING SHOT CAMPBELL’S SPLIT P*
Colin Campbell demonstrates that he can be mmm, mmm good when it comes to splitting the defense as he shows here during the Griffins’ contest against the defending AHL champion Cleveland Monsters on Nov. 9, 2016. Photo by Mark Newman * Power-Play
80 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS