2021-22 Griffiti - Issue #4 by Grand Rapids Griffins

2021-22 SEASON ISSUE NO. 4

E S T. 1 9 9 6

UPSIDE POTENTIAL

Uppsala, Sweden’s Jonatan Berggren O F F I C I A L

M A G A Z I N E

O F

T H E

G R A N D

R A P I D S

G R I F F I N S

We’re big fans of the Griffins. We’re also fans of their fans. Huntington is proud to support the Grand Rapids Griffins, through the wins, the losses, and the hat tricks. No matter the outcome, it’s a joy to watch you from the stands, competing your hearts out. From all your fans at Huntington, go Griffins!

Vol. 25, No. 4

TABLE OF CONTENTS STARTING LINEUP 26 ��‘FINISH WHAT YOU START’ Griffins defenseman Wyatt Newpower doesn’t believe in doing things halfway.

34 ��EVERYTHING AND MORE Jeff Blashill continues to be invigorated by the challenge of helping to rebuild the Red Wings. 42 ��‘HOGGIE?’ MORE LIKE ‘HERO’ The No. 10 jersey of the longest-tenured captain in franchise history will be hoisted to the rafters on Saturday, April 2 when the Griffins retire Jeff Hoggan’s number. 44 ��HAVING A BALL Jonatan Berggren is enjoying his first season as a pro in North America. 52 ��HITHER AND YAN The journey to become a professional hockey player does not always follow an expected course.

ON THE BENCH 2..........Chalk Talk 4..........Scouting Report 9..........Griffins Schedule 12.......AHL Tradition 16.......AHL Team Directory 21.......Detroit Red Wings 23.......Promotional Calendar 40.......Meet the Griffins

60.......Griffins Season Ticket Members 65.......Griffins Records 68.......Griffins All-Stars 73.......Penalty Calls 74.......Arena Map/Ticket Info 76.......It All Starts Here 79.......Kids Page 80.......Parting Shot

COVER:

Jonatan Berggren is developing into a two-way forward who could help the Red Wings for years to come. 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 ©2022 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.

WITH GRIFFINS HEAD COACH BEN SIMON One extra team – five, instead of the typical four – will make the Calder Cup Playoffs this season from the seven-team Central Division. That’s little comfort to the Griffins, who find themselves in the thick of the fight to make the postseason. “Our division is historically tight,” said Griffins head coach Ben Simon. “There’s usually a team or two that pulls away, but everyone else is close.” With less than 20 games to go, less than three wins separated the final four teams fighting for two playoff spots. Heading into the final stretch, the last eight games on the Griffins’ schedule are against division rivals; three of the final four contests are against the division-leading Chicago Wolves. “We have to make sure that we’re ready to go, especially for the division games,” he said. “We’re currently sitting in a playoff spot, but that could change in a weekend. At the same time, if we continue to bank points, we can put ourselves in a better position.” Any points – two for a win, one for an overtime or shootout loss – will not come easy. The Griffins have shown an ability to score. Through 56 games, the team had scored five goals or more in a game 13 times. Each time, the offensive output resulted in a victory. Conversely, the Griffins have been shut out seven times. There have been nine games where the team was held to a single goal. The situation has not been feast or famine as the numbers might suggest. “We have been consistent in generating scoring chances on a nightly basis, but we have to be more opportunistic with our chances,” he said. “When we get those chances, we need to make sure that we’re bearing down and find a way to put the puck into the back of the net.” 2 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Photo: Sam Iannamico

Although the Griffins have done well when the team scores goals, Simon believes it’s not a recipe for success, especially in the playoffs. “We don’t have the horses to get into a run-and-gun game,” he said. “When we play to our identity, we’re playing to a blue-collar workmanship.” A scrappy, lunch-bucket approach will make Griffins the type of team that other teams will fear facing in the playoffs. “When we’re playing our best, we’re playing to our strengths,” he said. “We’re being consistently simplistic, consistently persistent. We’re coming and coming at the other team, getting pucks deep into the zone and generating chances. We’re defending well, making fast exits, and not giving other teams a lot of time and space in our end. “Our biggest strength is our competitiveness,” he continued. “When we’re playing as a collective of 12 forwards and six defensemen and our goaltenders are battling through traffic and making big first saves and secondary saves, we have a fighting chance.” Indeed, the goaltending tandem of Calvin Pickard and Victor Brattstrom has been stellar, especially after the latter overcame a slow start. “In any league, you need to have good goaltending to have success, and for the most part we’ve gotten great goaltending from Pick and Victor,” Simon said. Their play has been supported by a solid bunch of blueliners. “We have three defensive stalwarts who are proven AHL veterans with (Brian) Lashoff, (Luke) Witkowski and (Dan) Renouf, plus we have young guys who are really developing in Donovan Sebrango, Jared McIsaac and Wyatt Newpower – and we’re fortunate to have Ryan Murphy, who is always an offensive threat. Our ‘D’ corps has been pretty dependable.”

Murphy was tied for the league-lead in powerplay goals among defensemen, and while none of the others is a prolific point-producer, all have contributed offensively at key points in games. “Those guys know what kind of players they are and they know what they need to do to be successful, so if you get offensive contributions from them along the way, that’s gravy,” he said. “The fact that they are showing up on the scoresheet is an absolute bonus for us, but I’m a believer that the harder you defend, the more it will lead to offensive opportunities at the other end.” As far as general offense is concerned, Simon said the Griffins are finding ways to score by committee. Countless callups and injuries at various times during the season have challenged the team to manufacture goals in any way possible. “We have had several players come into the lineup from Toledo or Kalamazoo and they’ve done an admirably good job of contributing,” he said. “We’ve had to rely on guys to contribute in different ways, whether it’s Witkowski playing forward and defense, or (Tyler) Spezia and (Dominik) Shine playing defense. Guys pegged to play on the third or fourth line are now playing first or second. We’ve had guys whose growth was expedited because they had to take on larger roles. Players have embraced the opportunity they’ve been given and made the most of it.” After two years of playoffs wiped out by the pandemic, Simon is eager to get his team back into the postseason and add to the Griffins’ franchise-record run of seven straight Calder Cup

Playoff berths. “We’re a developmental league and we want guys to continue to get better on a daily basis,” he said. “When you’re in the playoffs, games have a lot more significance. It’s very important for young players to experience the pressure and everything that goes with the playoffs and what it means to be a part of a successful team. “Organizations want winners and I think winning is a skill. Learning when to make plays and how to make the right decisions in the pressure of the playoffs can help expedite the development process. When you’re in those situations – whether you’re a first-year pro or a 10-year veteran – the experience is going to make you a better player.” While Simon was encouraged by the Griffins’ play in early March, he knows the team will have to persevere to make the playoffs. “Collectively as a group, we have to challenge ourselves to get better,” he said. “If we continue to do that on a daily basis, we can have success. We’re taking a one-game-at-a-time mentality by keeping our focus on the next game and not looking too far ahead.” In the meantime, Simon will happily look ahead to the team enjoying outstanding fan support down the stretch. “West Michigan has shown tremendous support for the sport of hockey and we’ve had terrific crowds this year,” he said. “Hearing all the support from the stands has helped put some wind in the sails of the guys. Players feed off that energy. We’re lucky to be in a great area that supports the Griffins like they do.”

2021-22 GRIFFINS HOCKEY OPERATIONS STAFF

General Manager

Pat Verbeek

Video Coach

Justin DeMartino

Head Coach

Assistant Coach

Ben Simon

Matt Macdonald

Athletic Trainer

Assistant Athletic Trainer

Josh Chapman

Anthony Polazzo

Assistant Coach

Goaltending Coach

Todd Krygier

Mike Knuble

Brian Mahoney-Wilson

Equipment Manager

Assistant Equipment Manager

Strength-Conditioning Coordinator

Brad Thompson

Charlie Kaser

Marcus Kinney

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 3

SCOU REPO

TEXAS

APRIL 1, APRIL 2 • The Stars’ Ben Gleason and Nicholas Caamano were teammates with the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs during the 2016-17 season. The pair helped Hamilton win the OHL championship, defeating the Soo Greyhounds four games to two. Caamano totaled 22 points (10-12—22) in 21 playoff games while Gleason notched 18 points (3-15—18) in the same number of contests. • Many Texas players have won championships throughout their junior hockey careers but only one captured two titles. Blake Comeau lifted the WHL trophy in 2002-03 and 2004-05 with the Kelowna Rockets before winning a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2005 World Junior Championship. • Left wing Curtis McKenzie is in the midst of his sixth full season with the Dallas Stars organization. In 2014, he helped Texas win its first and only Calder Cup when it knocked off the St. John’s IceCaps in five games. McKenzie logged a career-high 65 points (27-38—65) in 75 outings en route to earning the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award as the league’s most outstanding rookie. 4 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

CLEVELAND APRIL 6, APRIL 13

• Liam Foudy is the lone first-round draft pick on the Monsters’ roster. Foudy was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the 18th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Through 29 games with Cleveland this season, the Toronto native had posted 19 points (7-12—19). • Cleveland has two Michiganders on its roster in Cam Johnson and Robbie Payne. Netminder Johnson hails from Troy, Mich., and played his youth hockey with the Little Caesars 18U AAA team in Detroit. Payne is a center from Gaylord, Mich., who played parts of his junior career with the Tri-City Storm and the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings before playing collegiately at Northern Michigan University. • Entering the final third of the regular season, Cleveland ranked last in the North Division standings and stood 25th out of 31 AHL teams overall with a 20-22-6-4 record (.481). Cleveland has been below the .500 mark every other campaign since the 2016-17 season. If the trend holds true, the Monsters will finish this year below .500 after concluding last season with a 16-10-1-2 ledger (.603).

TING ORT

All stats/records referenced are through games of March 10, 2022.

IOWA APRIL 15

CHICAGO APRIL 22

• The Griffins have points in six of the last eight meetings (5-2-1-0) against the Wild, dating to last season. In addition, Grand Rapids has points in nine of the last 11 clashes at Van Andel Arena, going 5-2-3-1 since 2018-19, which marked the last time the Griffins had a losing record against Iowa in West Michigan (0-1-1-1).

• After running away with the 2020-21 Central-Division title, Chicago looks poised to make it two straight. With just 24 games remaining, the Wolves stood in first place in the division with a 34-10-4-4 record (.731). The second-place Manitoba Moose held a 29-17-2-1 mark (.622) with 23 games left.

• The Griffins’ home season series against Iowa has been a tight affair over the last handful of seasons, as just three or fewer goals have separated the teams in five of the last six campaigns. Since the 2016-17 season, Grand Rapids is 10-5-3-2 at home against the Wild but has an even scoring margin (59-59).

• Chicago’s top line of Andrew Poturalski, Stefan Noesen and C.J. Smith has accounted for 45 of the Wolves’ 84 points tallied this season against Grand Rapids through eight games played, all Chicago victories. Poturalski has 17 points (7-10—17), with Noesen (5-9—14) and Smith (3-11—14) close behind. The trio is also a combined plus-30 against the Griffins, with Noesen leading the way with a plus-13 rating.

• The Wild stand second in the AHL with an 84.7 penalty kill percentage. That is a drastic change from last season when they finished 18th on the circuit at 81.3%. The power play is also much improved for Iowa. A year ago, the Wild were dead last on the man-advantage with a 13.9% conversion rate. However, Iowa’s current 19.0% figure ties for 19th in the league.

• The Wolves’ backline has been one of the best in the AHL this season, as the team ranks first in the AHL in goals allowed per game at just 2.56. They have been out-shot just seven times this season. Chicago also knows how to play with a lead, as it is 18-3-2-2 (.800) when leading after the first period and 23-0-0-1 (.979) when leading after the second. Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 5

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2021-22 SEASON

Dear Griffins Fans, Welcome back! What a long, strange trip it’s been, and in many ways continues to be. These last 19 months have tested all of us in ways we could never have imagined, impacting everything from our loved ones and livelihoods down to the most trivial aspects of daily living. Amidst this turmoil, having a shared sense of community and common rallying points has never felt more vital or craved, even if that just means gathering at Van Andel Arena to watch a Griffins game with 10,834 of our closest friends. We’ve never taken the roar of a huge crowd for granted, but it will sound unimaginably sweet to hear that again this season.

DAN DEVOS LETTER FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

The slow return to normalcy is coming with some exciting changes to your fan experience, most notably advances like fan-friendly mobile ticketing technology and cashless arena concessions that offer mobile ordering and easy pickup. They have the added benefit of making our game-night operations as contactless as possible. While the shortened 2020-21 campaign was technically our 25th season, we’ve saved the celebrations of the first quarter-century of Griffins hockey to share with you this year! Among the many promotions, giveaways and special events we have planned are two that you certainly won’t want to miss: the jersey number retirement ceremonies for Griffins greats Michel Picard (Feb. 19) and Jeff Hoggan (April 2), who will take their rightful places in the arena’s rafters alongside Travis Richards, currently the only player in our franchise’s history to have been so honored. As we pay tribute to the great memories and legends of our storied past, let’s not forget about the newest Griffins who will be looking to forge their path east to Hockeytown. The Detroit Red Wings boast one of the deepest and most promising prospect pools in the NHL – led by high draft picks like Lucas Raymond and Jonatan Berggren – that is sure to give us many reasons to cheer as we chase an eighth consecutive berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs. If all of that wasn’t enough to look forward to, we’re beyond excited about the return to our broadcast booth of Bob Kaser, the newest, incredibly deserving member of the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame. Our beloved Voice of the Griffins missed the entire 2020-21 season while recovering from heart surgery but is now thankfully back to full strength, and he’s spreading the gospel of both Griffins hockey and heart health. On behalf of Griffins players and staff from the past and the present, I salute you for your loyalty through the years and hope you enjoy the celebration of our 25th anniversary season. Sincerely,

Dan DeVos Chief Executive Officer Grand Rapids Griffins

10 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

2021-2022 SEASON

Dear Fans, It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2021-22 American Hockey League season, the latest chapter in a tradition of excellence that can be traced back more than eight decades.

SCOTT HOWSON PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

We’re thrilled to have 31 teams back on the ice this fall, and we’re especially excited to have our passionate fans back to cheer on our players inside arenas across North America. Our clubs remain dedicated to ensuring everyone’s health and safety, allowing us to continue our role as the top development league for nearly all of the players, coaches, executives, trainers, broadcasters and officials in the National Hockey League today. On behalf of all of our teams across the United States and Canada, thank you for your continuing support of the AHL, and I will see you at the rink.

Sincerely,

SCOTT HOWSON PRESIDENT & CEO | AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 11

BY THE NUMBERS

A TRADITION OF

87.7% Percentage of all NHL players in 2020-21 who were graduates of the AHL

890 Former AHL players who skated in the NHL last season

THE BEGINNINGS Embarking on its 86th season of play in 2021-22, the American Hockey League is continuing a tradition of excellence that began in 1936 when the Canadian-American Hockey League joined with the International Hockey League to form what is today known as the AHL. Eight teams hit the ice that first season, representing Buffalo, Cleveland, New

Haven, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Springfield and Syracuse.

Hershey Bears have captured the most championships in league history with 11.

Frank Calder, the National Hockey League’s president at the time, was instrumental in the forming of this new league, and his name would be given to its championship trophy. The first Calder Cup was won by the Syracuse Stars in 1937; the

From those roots, the American Hockey League has grown into a 31-team, coast-to-coast league that provides fans with exciting, high-level professional hockey while preparing thousands of players, coaches, officials, executives, trainers, broadcasters and more for careers in the NHL.

268 AHL players who also played in the NHL in 2020-21

193 Former 1st- and 2ndround NHL draft picks who skated in the AHL in 2020-21

L . T O R . : A H L G R A D U AT E S M I K KO R A N TA N E N , S E M YO N VA R L A M O V, T Y L E R T O F F O L I , YA N N I G O U R D E , M A R K S T O N E

12 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

THE PLAYERS

THE LEGENDS

THE COACHES

In today’s National Hockey League nearly 90 percent of the players are AHL alumni, including 2021 Vezina Trophy winner Marc-Andre Fleury, Lady Byng Trophy recipient Jaccob Slavin and Bill Masterton Award winner Oskar Lindblom. The 2021 Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning were stocked with AHL graduates including Conn Smythe Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy, leading scorer Nikita Kucherov, and former Calder Cup champions Ondrej Palat, Alex Killorn and Tyler Johnson.

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

At the start of the 2021-22 season, the National Hockey League featured 21 head coaches who were former AHL bench bosses, including two-time Stanley Cup winner Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Colorado’s Jared Bednar, Washington’s Peter Laviolette, Pittsburgh’s Mike Sullivan, Nashville’s John Hynes, Toronto’s Sheldon Keefe, Vancouver’s Travis Green and the N.Y. Islanders’ Barry Trotz are also among the current NHL coaches who spent time in the American Hockey League before making the jump.

During the 2020-21 season, a total of 890 AHL alumni played in the National Hockey League. There were 268 players who skated in both leagues last year alone, and nearly 200 former first- and second-round NHL draft picks developed their skills in the AHL last season, including Quinton Byfield, Jack Quinn, Cole Perfetti, Thomas Harley, Trevor Zegras, Martin Kaut and Nick Robertson.

“Without my time in the AHL, the door to the NHL does not open.” - J O N CO O PE R AHL COACH OF THE YEAR | ’11-12 CALDER CUP CHAMPION | ’12 STANLEY CUP CHAMPION | ’20, ’21

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 13

Photo by Rachel Ponstein from Rachel Gabrielse Photography

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Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 15

A H L D I R EC TO RY

EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION

Bridgeport, Charlotte, Hartford, Hershey, Lehigh Valley, Providence, Springfield, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

NORTH DIVISION

Belleville, Cleveland, Laval, Rochester, Syracuse, Toronto, Utica

BRIDGEPORT ISLANDERS

CHARLOTTE CHECKERS

NHL Affiliation............................New York Islanders Home Ice.......................Webster Bank Arena (8,412) General Manager............................ Chris Lamoriello Head Coach.................................... Brent Thompson Entered AHL................................................ 2001-02 Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs.........................................9 of 18 2020-21 Record...................... 8-14-2-0, 18 pts./.375 Website..............................bridgeportislanders.com

NHL Affiliations......Florida Panthers, Seattle Kraken Home Ice....................... Bojangles’ Coliseum (8,600) General Manager............................Derek Wilkinson Head Coach.....................................Geordie Kinnear Entered AHL................................................ 2010-11 Calder Cups............................................. One (2019) Seasons in Playoffs...........................................5 of 9 2020-21 Record......................................Did not play Website........................................... gocheckers.com

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

HERSHEY BEARS

LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS

NHL Affiliation............................. New York Rangers Home Ice......................................XL Center (15,635) General Manager..................................Ryan Martin Head Coach.......................................Kris Knoblauch Entered AHL................................................ 1997-98 Calder Cups............................................. One (2000) Seasons in Playoffs.......................................15 of 22 2020-21 Record...................... 14-9-1-0, 29 pts./.604 Website.................................hartfordwolfpack.com

NHL Affiliation.........................Washington Capitals Home Ice.................................Giant Center (10,500) General Manager................................Bryan Helmer Head Coach..............................................Scott Allen Entered AHL................................................ 1938-39 Calder Cups.....11 (1947, 1958, 1959, 1969, 1974, 1980, 1988, 1997, 2006, 2009, 2010) Seasons in Playoffs.......................................68 of 81 2020-21 Record...................... 24-7-2-0, 50 pts./.758 Website........................................hersheybears.com

NHL Affiliation............................Philadelphia Flyers Home Ice......................................PPL Center (8,420) General Manager...............................Chuck Fletcher Head Coach.........................................Ian Laperriere Entered AHL.... 1996-97 (as Philadelphia Phantoms) Calder Cups................................... Two (1998, 2005) Seasons in Playoffs.......................................12 of 23 2020-21 Record...................... 18-7-4-2, 43 pts./.672 Website..................................phantomshockey.com

PROVIDENCE BRUINS

SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

NHL Affiliation....................................Boston Bruins Home Ice................................ Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence (11,273) General Manager..................................... Evan Gold Head Coach......................................Ryan Mougenel Entered AHL................................................ 1992-93 Calder Cups............................................. One (1999) Seasons in Playoffs.......................................22 of 27 2020-21 Record...................... 15-6-2-2, 34 pts./.680 Website................................. providencebruins.com

NHL Affiliation................................... St. Louis Blues Home Ice........................MassMutual Center (6,793) General Manager............................Kevin McDonald Head Coach......................................Drew Bannister Entered AHL................................................ 2016-17 Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs...........................................0 of 3 2020-21 Record......................................Did not play Website.......................springfieldthunderbirds.com

NHL Affiliation......................... Pittsburgh Penguins Home Ice........Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza (8,050) General Manager...................................Patrik Allvin Head Coach..............................................J.D. Forrest Entered AHL................................................ 1999-00 Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs.......................................17 of 20 2020-21 Record.................... 13-13-4-2, 32 pts./.500 Website........................................wbspenguins.com

16 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

2021-22

BELLEVILLE SENATORS

CLEVELAND MONSTERS

LAVAL ROCKET

NHL Affiliation............................... Ottawa Senators Home Ice......................................CAA Arena (4,365) General Manager.................................Pierre Dorion Head Coach..............................................Troy Mann Entered AHL................................................ 2017-18 Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons In Playoffs...........................................0 Of 2 2020-21 Record.................... 18-16-1-0, 37 pts./.529 Website........................................bellevillesens.com

NHL Affiliation......................Columbus Blue Jackets Home Ice......................Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (18,926/9,447 lower bowl) General Manager..................................... Chris Clark Head Coach............................................. Mike Eaves Entered AHL............2007-08 (as Lake Erie Monsters) Calder Cups............................................. One (2016) Seasons in Playoffs.........................................3 of 12 2020-21 Record.................... 16-10-1-2, 35 pts./.603 Website...............................clevelandmonsters.com

NHL Affiliation..........................Montreal Canadiens Home Ice..................................... Place Bell (10,062) General Manager...............................Marc Bergevin Head Coach...............................Jean-Francois Houle Entered AHL................................................ 2017-18 Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons In Playoffs...........................................0 Of 2 2020-21 Record...................... 23-9-3-1, 50 pts./.694 Website............................................rocketlaval.com

ROCHESTER AMERICANS

SYRACUSE CRUNCH

NHL Affiliation...................................Buffalo Sabres Home Ice............................... Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial (11,215) General Manager............................Jason Karmanos Head Coach............................................Seth Appert Entered AHL................................................ 1956-57 Calder Cups.....Six (1965, 1966, 1968, 1983, 1987, 1996) Seasons in Playoffs.......................................46 of 63 2020-21 Record.................... 11-15-2-1, 25 pts./.431 Website ................................................ amerks.com

NHL Affiliation........................Tampa Bay Lightning Home Ice......................War Memorial Arena (6,230) General Manager................................... Stacy Roest Head Coach.........................................Benoit Groulx Entered AHL................................................ 1994-95 Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs.......................................15 of 25 2020-21 Record.................... 19-10-3-0, 41 pts./.641 Website.....................................syracusecrunch.com

TORONTO MARLIES

UTICA COMETS

NHL Affiliation..........................Toronto Maple Leafs Home Ice........................Coca-Cola Coliseum (7,851) General Manager....................................Ryan Hardy Head Coach............................................ Greg Moore Entered AHL................................................ 2005-06 Calder Cups............................................. One (2018) Seasons in Playoffs.......................................11 of 14 2020-21 Record.................... 16-17-0-2, 34 pts./.486 Website.................................................... marlies.ca

NHL Affiliation..............................New Jersey Devils Home Ice............Utica Memorial Auditorium (3,860) General Manager.............................Dan MacKinnon Head Coach..........................................Kevin Dineen Entered AHL................................................ 2013-14 Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs...........................................3 of 6 2020-21 Record.................... 16-11-0-1, 33 pts./.589 Website..........................................uticacomets.com

THE ROAD TO THE CALDER CUP A total of 23 teams will qualify for postseason play in 202122, with five rounds of playoffs leading to the crowning of a Calder Cup champion. In each of the AHL’s four divisions, all but two teams will qualify for postseason play, creating a playoff field of six teams in the Atlantic Division, five in the North Division, five in the Central Division and seven in the Pacific Division. Teams will be ranked by points percentage in the regular-season standings. First Round matchups will be best-of-three series. The top two teams in the Atlantic Division, the top three teams in each of the North and Central Divisions, and the firstplace team in the Pacific Division will receive byes into the best-of-five Division Semifinals, with the First Round winners re-seeded in each division. The Division Finals will also be best-of-five series, followed by best-of-seven Conference Finals and a best-of-seven Calder Cup Finals. Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 17

A H L D I R EC TO RY

WESTERN CONFERENCE PACIFIC DIVISION

Abbotsford, Bakersfield, Colorado, Henderson, Ontario, San Diego, San Jose, Stockton, Tucson

ABBOTSFORD CANUCKS

Grand Rapids, Chicago, Iowa, Manitoba, Milwaukee, Rockford, Texas

CENTRAL DIVISION

NHL Affiliation............................Vancouver Canucks Home Ice..........................Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre (7,018) General Manager................................Ryan Johnson Head Coach................................................Trent Cull Entered AHL................................................ 2021-22 Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs..............................................N/A Website..............................abbotsford.canucks.com

COLORADO EAGLES

HENDERSON SILVER KNIGHTS

NHL Affiliation...........................Colorado Avalanche NHL Affiliation....................... Vegas Golden Knights Home Ice................Budweiser Events Center (5,289) Home Ice................................ Orleans Arena (7,773) General Manager.............................Craig Billington General Manager.....................................Tim Speltz Head Coach............................................Greg Cronin Head Coach.......................................Manny Viveiros Entered AHL................................................ 2018-19 Entered AHL................................................ 2020-21 Calder Cups......................................................None Calder Cups......................................................None SAN DIEGO GULLS Seasons in Playoffs...........................................1 of 1 Seasons in Playoffs..............................................N/A MARK 2020-21 Record.................... 15-15-3-1, 34PRIMARY pts./.500 2020-21 Record.................... 25-13-0-1, 51 pts./.654 Website.....................................coloradoeagles.com Website........................hendersonsilverknights.com

BAKERSFIELD CONDORS

NHL Affiliation............................... Edmonton Oilers Home Ice...................Mechanics Bank Arena (8,751) General Manager................................ Keith Gretzky Head Coach........................................... Colin Chaulk ONTARIO Entered AHL................................................ 2015-16 PRIMARY M Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs...........................................1 of 4 2020-21 Record.................... 24-14-0-1, 49 pts./.628 Website...............................bakersfieldcondors.com

ONTARIO REIGN

NHL Affiliation..............................Los Angeles Kings Home Ice..................................Toyota Arena (9,491) General Manager...............................Richard Seeley Coaches........................Chris Hajt and Craig Johnson Entered AHL................................................ 2015-16 STOCKTON HE Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs...........................................3 of 4 MARK PRIMARY 2020-21 Record.................... 17-19-4-0, 38 pts./.475 Website.........................................ontarioreign.com

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SAN DIEGO GULLS

SAN JOSE BARRACUDA

STOCKTON HEAT

NHL Affiliation.................................Anaheim Ducks Home Ice.......... Pechanga Arena San Diego (12,920) General Manager................................Bob Ferguson Head Coach.........................................Joel Bouchard Entered AHL................................................ 2015-16 Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs...........................................3 of 4 2020-21 Record.................... 26-17-1-0, 53 pts./.602 Website.......................................sandiegogulls.com

NHL Affiliation.................................San Jose Sharks Home Ice................. SAP Center 2015-16 at San Jose (17,496) General Manager..........................................Joe Will Head Coach.......................................... Roy Sommer Entered AHL................................................ 2015-16 Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs...........................................4 of 4 2020-21 Record.................... 15-15-4-2, 36 pts./.500 Website.......................................... sjbarracuda.com

NHL Affiliation..................................Calgary Flames Home Ice.............................Stockton Arena (10,050) General Manager...................................Brad Pascall Head Coach..............................................Mitch Love Entered AHL................................................ 2015-16 Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs...........................................1 of 4 2020-21 Record.................... 11-17-2-0, 24 pts./.400 Website........................................stocktonheat.com

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2021-22

TUCSON ROADRUNNERS

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

CHICAGO WOLVES

NHL Affiliation.................................Arizona Coyotes Home Ice..................................Tucson Arena (6,791) General Manager...............................John Ferguson Head Coach..............................................Jay Varady Entered AHL................................................ 2016-17 Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs...........................................1 of 3 2020-21 Record.................... 13-20-3-0, 29 pts./.403 Website...............................tucsonroadrunners.com

NHL Affiliation............................. Detroit Red Wings Home Ice...........................Van Andel Arena (10,834) General Manager.............................. Shawn Horcoff Head Coach............................................. Ben Simon Entered AHL................................................ 2001-02 Calder Cups................................... Two (2013, 2017) Seasons in Playoffs.......................................13 of 18 2020-21 Record.................... 16-12-3-1, 36 pts./.563 Website.......................................griffinshockey.com

NHL Affiliation...........................Carolina Hurricanes Home Ice.............................. Allstate Arena (16,692) General Manager..............................Wendell Young Head Coach......................................Ryan Warsofsky Entered AHL................................................ 2001-02 Calder Cups................................... Two (2002, 2008) Seasons in Playoffs.......................................13 of 18 2020-21 Record...................... 21-9-1-2, 45 pts./.682 Website......................................chicagowolves.com

IOWA WILD

MANITOBA MOOSE

MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS

NHL Affiliation.................................Minnesota Wild Home Ice........................ Wells Fargo Arena (15,181) General Manager..................................Mike Murray Head Coach............................................... Tim Army Entered AHL................................................ 2013-14 Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs...........................................1 of 6 2020-21 Record.................... 17-13-4-0, 38 pts./.559 Website.............................................. iowawild.com

NHL Affiliation................................... Winnipeg Jets Home Ice..............................Bell MTS Place (15,294) General Manager..............................Craig Heisinger Head Coach........................................Mark Morrison Entered AHL........ 2001-02 (played through 2010-11; re-entered 2015-16) Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs.......................................10 of 14 2020-21 Record.................... 18-13-3-2, 41 pts./.569 Website....................................... moosehockey.com

NHL Affiliation...........................Nashville Predators Home Ice.....UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena (12,700) General Manager...................................Scott Nichol Head Coach..............................................Karl Taylor Entered AHL................................................ 2001-02 Calder Cups............................................. One (2004) Seasons in Playoffs.......................................15 of 18 2020-21 Record......................................Did not play Website............................. milwaukeeadmirals.com

ROCKFORD ICEHOGS

TEXAS STARS

NHL Affiliation..........................Chicago Blackhawks Home Ice.................BMO Harris Bank Center (5,895) General Manager................................Mark Bernard Head Coach.................................... Anders Sorensen Entered AHL................................................ 2007-08 Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs.........................................6 of 12 2020-21 Record.................... 12-19-1-0, 25 pts./.391 Website.................................................icehogs.com

NHL Affiliation....................................... Dallas Stars Home Ice.............H-E-B Center at Cedar Park (6,800) General Manager................................... Scott White Head Coach...........................................Neil Graham Entered AHL................................................ 2009-10 Calder Cups............................................. One (2014) Seasons in Playoffs.........................................7 of 10 2020-21 Record.................... 17-18-3-0, 37 pts./.487 Website.............................................texasstars.com Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 19

20 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

DETROIT RED WINGS Photo credit: Getty Images

ith a young core powered by former Griffins such as Tyler Bertuzzi, Filip Hronek and Filip Zadina, the 202021 Detroit Red Wings achieved the NHL’s largest improvements last season in terms of both points percentage and goal differential. Moritz Seider, Michael Rasmussen, Gustav Lindstrom and Givani Smith are among the Griffins alumni who’ve joined them in Hockeytown for 2021-22, the 20th season of affiliation between Grand Rapids and Detroit. TOP AFFILIATE: Grand Rapids Griffins • 20th Season ARENA: Little Caesars Arena • Seating Capacity: 19,515 CONTACT: (313) 471-7000 • detroitredwings.com STANLEY CUPS: 1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008 MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE VP/GENERAL MANAGER: Steve Yzerman ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER: Shawn Horcoff COACHING STAFF HEAD COACH: Jeff Blashill ASSISTANT COACHES: Doug Houda, Alex Tanguay GOALTENDING COACH: Jeff Salajko VIDEO COACH: LJ Scarpace ASSISTANT VIDEO COACH: Jeff Weintraub

GRIFFINS WHO HAVE EARNED THEIR WINGS

Justin Abdelkader Adam Almquist Joakim Andersson Andreas Athanasiou Sean Avery Riley Barber Ryan Barnes Tyler Bertuzzi Patrick Boileau Darryl Bootland Madison Bowey Mathias Brome Fabian Brunnstrom Mitch Callahan Jake Chelios Dennis Cholowski Ty Conklin Chris Conner Jared Coreau Kyle Criscuolo Danny DeKeyser Aaron Downey Patrick Eaves Christoffer Ehn Matt Ellis Cory Emmerton Jonathan Ericsson Landon Ferraro Valtteri Filppula Martin Frk Luke Glendening Mark Hartigan Darren Helm Joe Hicketts

2008-09 2013-14 2011-12 2015-16 2002-03 2021-22 2003-04 2016-17 2002-03 2003-04 2019-20 2020-21 2011-12 2013-14 2018-19 2018-19 2011-12 2011-12 2016-17 2021-22 2013-14 2008-09 2013-14 2018-19 2006-07 2010-11 2007-08 2013-14 2005-06 2017-18 2013-14 2007-08 2007-08 2017-18

Taro Hirose Jimmy Howard Filip Hronek Jiri Hudler Matt Hussey Doug Janik Nick Jensen Tomas Jurco Jakub Kindl Tomas Kopecky Niklas Kronwall Marc Lamothe Josh Langfeld Dylan Larkin Brian Lashoff Brett Lebda Ville Leino Gustav Lindstrom Matt Lorito Joey MacDonald Donald MacLean Anthony Mantha Alexey Marchenko Darren McCarty Tom McCollum Dylan McIlrath Derek Meech Wade Megan Drew Miller Kevin Miller Mark Mowers Petr Mrazek Jan Mursak Anders Myrvold

2019-20 2005-06 2018-19 2003-04 2006-07 2009-10 2016-17 2013-14 2009-10 2005-06 2003-04 2003-04 2006-07 2015-16 2012-13 2005-06 2008-09 2019-20 2016-17 2006-07 2005-06 2015-16 2013-14 2007-08 2010-11 2018-19 2006-07 2018-19 2016-17 2003-04 2003-04 2012-13 2010-11 2003-04

Andrej Nestrasil Kris Newbury Tomas Nosek Gustav Nyquist Xavier Ouellet Calvin Pickard Matt Puempel Teemu Pulkkinen Kyle Quincey Michael Rasmussen Dan Renouf Mattias Ritola Jamie Rivers Nathan Robinson Stacy Roest Robbie Russo Moritz Seider Riley Sheahan Brendan Smith Givani Smith Ryan Sproul Garrett Stafford Ben Street Libor Sulak Evgeny Svechnikov Eric Tangradi Tomas Tatar Jordin Tootoo Dominic Turgeon Joe Veleno Jason Williams Luke Witkowski Filip Zadina

2014-15 2009-10 2015-16 2011-12 2013-14 2019-20 2018-19 2013-14 2005-06 2018-19 2016-17 2007-08 2003-04 2003-04 2002-03 2016-17 2021-22 2011-12 2011-12 2019-20 2013-14 2007-08 2016-17 2018-19 2016-17 2015-16 2010-11 2013-14 2017-18 2020-21 2002-03 2021-22 2018-19

* 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 (2012-13), Carlo Colaiacovo (2012-13), Stephen Weiss (2014-15) and Gemel Smith (2021-22).

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MARK E S T. 1 9 9 6

YOUR

CALENDAR

APRIL 1 Presented by Michigan Education Savings Program/$2 Beers and $2 Hot Dogs at Select Stands APRIL 2 Margaritaville Night presented by Centennial Securities/Jeff Hoggan Jersey Number Retirement Ceremony/Beach Hat Giveaway

APRIL 6 Jake Engel Memorial Dog Game No. 2 presented by Nestlé Purina (NEW DATE!)/ Winning Wednesday presented by Michigan First Credit Union

APRIL 13 Winning Wednesday presented by Michigan First Credit Union APRIL 15 Presented by El Bandido Tequila/$2 Beers and $2 Hot Dogs at Select Stands/Annual Griffins Team Equipment Sale

APRIL 22 Fan Appreciation Night presented by Huntington Bank/25th Anniversary Jersey Auction WEEK OF MAY 1 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs begin, with $2 beers and $2 hot dogs during every home playoff game. All playoff games on

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 23

N O -L N O S A E S E S E H T T U CHECK O

S N O I T O PROM

urring motionsdovcc ro p se e th tage f n o a te no ke a e k Ta a ! m n so to a re se su e e th B roughoudtogs, free tickets, military and regularlyp th eer and discounts and more! of chea bst udent

$2 BEERS AND $2 HOT DOGS Every Friday, enjoy $2 domestic drafts and $2 hot dogs from 6-8 p.m., at select stands while supplies last. MILITARY NIGHTS Every home game, current members of our military can purchase up to four Upper Level Faceoff tickets for $14 each, four Upper Level Center Ice tickets for $17 each or four Lower Level Faceoff tickets for $20 each with a valid military ID. The offer also extends to veterans who present a VA ID or discharge papers. 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. WINNING WEDNESDAYS Presented by Michigan First Credit Union, 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 24 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

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. LIBRARY NIGHTS For all Wednesday and Sunday games, 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 Faceoff ticket for $14 (regularly $16 advance and $19 day of game), an Upper Level Center Ice ticket for $17 (regularly $19 advance and $22 day of game) or a Lower Level Faceoff ticket for $20 (regularly $22 advance and $25 day of game). Limit four tickets per card per person, subject to availability. FRIENDS & FAMILY 4-PACKS Presented by Buddy’s Pizza and available for all Saturday games, each pack includes four tickets and $20 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 126, 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 the April 6 game. POST-GAME OPEN SKATE Bring your skates to the rink and take to the ice for a post-game open skate on April 22. As a reminder, Van Andel Arena has a no-bag policy, but security will allow fans to use bags to bring in their skates. 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 LaZ-Boy chairs and an array of unprecedented amenities. Call (616) 774-4585 ext. 4. DAVE & BUSTER’S FREE SUPERCHARGE Take your Griffins ticket to Dave & Buster’s or show your mobile ticket to receive a free supercharge of your Power Card.

All promotions and dates subject to change. For more information, visit griffinshockey.com.

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Griffins defenseman Wyatt Newpower doesn’t believe in doing things halfway.

‘FINISH WHAT YOU START’

Story and photos by Mark Newman

26 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

If professional hockey players cannot remember all the details of their formative years on the ice, they don’t forget the debt they owe to their parents for the sacrifices they made in time, money, and effort to help them realize their dreams. Wyatt Newpower is no exception. The second-oldest of five children born to Chris and Heidi Newpower of Hugo, Minn., he played baseball, football, lacrosse, and – especially – hockey. “All of my siblings played hockey. It’s what you do when you’re from Minnesota,” Newpower said. “My dad built a backyard rink every winter for as long as I can remember. That’s where I learned to skate.” Newpower could have pursued baseball like his older brother Luke. Their father was a junior college baseball player who appeared in the JUCO World Series. Former MLB pitcher Jerry Koosman, a member of the 1969 Miracle Mets, is a cousin of the family. “I liked all sports, but hockey is the one that stuck,” he said. “I imagine I liked hockey the most because I put the most into it. Once hockey became a priority, the other sports started to fall away because the other seasons started to intervene.”

His dad served as his coach for the first few years that he played, then became the parent who drove him to practice every day. “We had to drive to the other side of the Twin Cities,” Newpower recalled. “It would be a day at school, then I’d head home, get off the bus, and get right in the car so my mom could drop me off at his work. He would drive me across the river to the other side, sit at the rink, and then – depending on traffic – get home later that night before we would do it again the next day. “That was when I was eight or nine years old, still young enough that you wanted to do stuff outside after school with your friends. There were days when I was just not interested and I would throw a little hissy fit or say I didn’t want to go. “Before every signup deadline, my dad would always say, ‘You don’t have to do this. I’m not making you do this. But if you’re going to do this, you’re going to finish it.’ That’s the one thing that sticks out for me. I am sure that he hated making those drives as much as I did. He probably didn’t like it because he had to work all day and then sit at the rink all night after doing all that driving.

Newpower is building a reputation with his solid, no-frills defensive play.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 27

“He never pushed or pressured me or made me do anything I didn’t want to do, but if I signed up for something, he made sure that I did it and I finished it.” Newpower finally became a full-time hockey player during his freshman year of high school. “I tried out for the golf team and I was going to make the team, but the first or second week of the golf season conflicted with a spring hockey commitment which I couldn’t afford to miss. That’s when I decided to stick with hockey.” He played four years of hockey at White Bear Lake High School but generated little interest from colleges. “The one time a scout from Ohio State showed, it was the one game I missed because of a concussion,” said Newpower, who nonetheless had an option to play for the Vernon Vipers in the British Columbia Hockey League. “One day I was in weights class and I got a call from Joe Pereira, the assistant coach at UConn. I didn’t even know the school had a Division I hockey team, but he said, ‘We like you and we want to see you play.’ I was like, ‘How are you going to do that? My season is over and you’re on the East Newpower skated in 24 games as a firstyear pro with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters last season.

28 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Coast. I got nowhere to play.’ He said, ‘Don’t worry about it.’” UConn arranged for Newpower to play in a tournament in Winthrop, Mass., at the Mike Eruzione Community Center. “Everybody knows the name because of the Miracle on Ice hockey team, so it was pretty cool to play there and see that part of the country,” he said. “I couldn’t even tell you the team I played for, but I remember feeling a little pressure and being a little nervous because I was thrown onto this team and didn’t know a single soul. These kids were teammates who had been playing together for I don’t know how long and I was playing for a potential scholarship. It was definitely a nerveracking situation.” Newpower not only was offered a scholarship but was also assured that he would play right away as an underclassman. “I was shocked,” he said. “Through my whole high school career, I had been told that I was going to have to play junior to develop into my big (6foot-3) frame. But they had zero right-handed defensemen on their roster at the time.” He had a decent freshman season, appearing in 31 of 36 games for the Huskies. “It was my

Newpower scored his first goal of the season on Nov. 24 in Milwaukee.

first time away from home, so there was a little adjustment to college and classes,” he said. “All of a sudden, there’s no school bus and your mom is not waking you up. I did okay but struggled a little in the beginning.” His hockey adjustment didn’t come until his sophomore season. “I only played 15 games my second year when I was a healthy scratch for the majority of the season,” he said. “It was my first experience with not playing. I felt like I couldn’t get anything going. It felt like one step forward, two steps back. You start to question yourself and you start to think that you might not have what it takes.” Newpower wondered if there might be another school where he might be a better fit. He toyed with the idea of playing junior hockey in Canada. He talked with family and they suggested that he stick it out. Finish what you start. It was almost as though he was being reminded of his father’s words and all those long car rides so many years earlier. “I never thought about it, but subliminally maybe it was there – the idea that I was not going to quit,” he said.

Rather than walk away, Newpower decided to have a heart-to-heart with his coach. It was time to get on the same page. So instead of leaving, he decided to stay and re-dedicate himself to making the most of his opportunity. He spent the subsequent summer in New England and pushed himself to strengthen his standing with the team. “I experienced the most growth in my career, even though I played the least amount of hockey,” he said. “We set checkpoints for where I wanted to go and my coach was extremely supportive. There’s probably a laundry list of things I learned. My next two years spoke for the work I put in and I became the player I wanted to become.” Newpower felt UConn might make a good playoff run during his senior season, but the pandemic’s arrival in the spring of 2020 quickly put an end to those hopes. Down but not out, he bought a plane ticket to Naples, Fla., to visit his grandpa Bill Newpower and finish his studies remotely. “He lives on a golf course, so I played golf every day while I finished college, which seemed like a nice way Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 29

to end college under the circumstances. He was proud that I had graduated in four years while playing a sport.” Eager to start his pro career, Newpower was eyeing a deal with the Rockford IceHogs. “Stan Bowman came to watch me at one of our tournaments, so he was orchestrating the whole thing, which had a heavy impact on everything coming from the organization,” he said. “I was pretty locked into taking that deal.” Before he could sign, his college coach connected with the Cleveland Monsters, who signed him to a one-year AHL contract. “It seemed like I would be in a better depth situation in Cleveland,” he said. “I was just happy to get a deal.” Unsure of when the 2020-21 season would start in the face of the coronavirus, Newpower moved back home for the first time in four years. He went back to his old gym and spent weekends at his cabin in northern Minnesota, where he usually spends 90 percent of his summer. In early October 2020, Newpower opted to pack his bags for Ohio, where he was able to work out with Nathan Gerbe, a veteran of 435 NHL games despite his diminutive 5-foot-4

frame. “We don’t even play the same position, but he had a million tips and tricks,” Newpower said. “He’s also a really good skater, which is something I’ve always had to work on, plus he’s a workhorse, almost like he was built in a lab.” During the season, Newpower was mostly paired with another veteran, Dillon Simpson, a former fourth-round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers who had played nearly 400 AHL games. As a rookie, Newpower ended up playing 24 games with Cleveland, recording three goals and seven assists. “I started to figure out my role in pro hockey and what could make me successful,” he said. “They gave me every chance to have success and although I didn’t know what to expect, I thought my first season went really well.” Apparently so. Following the season, the Red Wings inked Newpower to a two-year entrylevel NHL contract. The signing was a stamp of approval for his rookie showing. “I guess I played well enough against the Griffins to catch their eye,” said Newpower, who appeared in nine of the 10 games between the Monsters and Grand Rapids, tallying two goals and two assists in the process. He was in a Washington, D.C., airport Newpower signed a two-year contract with the Red Wings after the 2020-21 season.

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during a layover on his way to Florida when he got the news that he was now a member of the Red Wings organization. “It was a dreamcome-true,” he said. “I knew it would be a good fit because Grand Rapids plays the kind of hockey I like to play.” Although he had been to development camps with the Carolina Hurricanes and San Jose Sharks during college, last fall marked his first NHL training camp. He saw action in three preseason games with the Red Wings, which helped his adjustment to the organization. In the Griffins’ dressing room, Newpower’s stall is between those of Luke Witkowski and Brian Lashoff. “Sitting between those guys is definitely helpful because they play a similar style to me – big, two-way defensemen who kill penalties,” he said. “It’s been a pleasure and a huge help to learn from those guys. It doesn’t even have to involve asking them questions. It can be simply watching them and taking in what they do from a day-to-day basis.” Newpower wants to keep his game simple. “Playing steady defense is the first thing for me, matching the top two lines of the opposing team and preventing them from scoring,” he

said. “I try to play heavy and physical, stirring up emotions and getting guys frustrated. I contribute when I can in the offensive zone. I’ll try to make plays so other guys can score, but once we leave the zone, that’s when I feel I can play the solid, shutdown style of hockey that will frustrate the other team’s forwards.” He appeared in 39 games before his season was interrupted by a broken hand suffered after a hit-from-behind sent him crashing into the boards. “I’ve broken two different fingers on the same hand from blocked shots earlier in the season,” he said. “It’s been a long year for my left hand.” Newcomer was hoping to return to the Griffins’ lineup by early April. He is eager to not only get back on the blue line but also to rejoin the team’s penalty-killing unit. “I take a lot of pride in penalty killing, which is a huge aspect of my game,” he said. “And throughout the season, I’ve gained a lot more confidence as I’ve settled into my role.” Looking at the hard cast on his hand, Newpower insists that he is going to be back sooner than later. There is no way that he isn’t going to finish what he started. His dad made sure of that long ago. Newpower spent four seasons at the University of Connecticut, becoming a captain during his senior year.

32 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Newpower was familiar with the style of hockey played by the Griffins after facing them nine times last season as a member of the Cleveland Monsters.

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Story by Mark Newman Photos by Getty Images

EVERYTHING AND MORE

Jeff Blashill continues to be invigorated by the challenge of helping to rebuild the Red Wings. 34 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

In his job as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, Jeff Blashill can attest to the word stew that might be used to describe his position. Coaching the current occupants of Hockeytown can be challenging, frustrating, exhilarating, and often humbling. In other words, it is a job that offers everything you might expect and more. But Blashill insists that no matter what adjective might apply to the experience, he will always consider it a supreme honor and a privilege. “Every day that you get to coach for a living is a good day and it’s pretty special when you get to coach in the National Hockey League in your home state and the town you were born in,” said Blashill, a Detroit native who was raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. “I always recognize how special that is.” Blashill is now in his seventh season behind the Red Wings’ bench, assuming the hot seat that Mike Babcock held for a decade before he left the Motor City for Toronto. The Red Wings, who made the playoffs during Blashill’s first season as head coach, have been in a complete rebuild ever since. “In any job, there are going to be highs and lows,” said Blashill, who had been an assistant coach in Detroit for one season under Babcock before getting the head coaching job in Grand Rapids (2012-15). “There will be times when you have to work through difficult situations to get to the spot where you can enjoy the fruits of your labor.” Blashill, who guided the Griffins to their first Calder Cup championship during his first season in Grand Rapids, acknowledges that Detroit fans have had to endure some lean times. It has not been easy watching the organization say goodbye to its past as the new regime tries to return the team to its days of dominance. “As we’ve gone through the journey here, certainly we’ve gone through some hard times. There’s no doubt about that,” he said. “But that’s OK. That’s what it’s all about. Ultimately, you grow from the experience and, organizationally, we’ve grown from the situation and we’re working toward a better tomorrow. That’s what we’re trying to do.” The Red Wings have flirted with the .500 mark this season as the team has shown improvement since hitting rock bottom three seasons ago, when it finished with a league-worst record of 17-49-5 record.

“I never envisioned that this would be easy – by any stretch,” Blashill said. “I always knew there would be unique and difficult challenges that would lie ahead. Certainly, I have enjoyed the journey in terms of tackling those challenges.” The difficult 2019-20 season was the first under the direction of general manager Steve Yzerman, the long-time Red Wings captain who was a three-time Stanley Cup winner as a player before he embarked on a managerial career that saw him build the Tampa Bay Lightning into reigning two-time NHL champions. Blashill said he and Yzerman have been largely on the same page as they continue to work together on the long, uphill battle to push the team back to its rightful position as one of the top organizations in the sport of hockey. Yzerman, of course, witnessed an earlier revival of the Red Wings during his playing days. Detroit finished with a dismal 17-57-6 record during Yzerman’s third season as a player in 1985-86, a full decade before the Red Wings would set the NHL record for most wins in a regular season with a 62-13-7 campaign, and 11 years before Detroit would win its first Stanley Cup in 42 years. “I think I’m very fortunate that I get an opportunity to learn from someone who’s gone through so many experiences, both as a player and a manager as we’re trying to build this back to where everybody in our organization wants it to be,” Blashill said. “We both have our opinions – maybe they’re the same and maybe they’re different, and that’s OK for both. I’m not someone who sugarcoats things and I know that Steve doesn’t either. Our conversations are honest. We’re not here to protect each other’s feelings. We’re here to try to win, so we better be honest with each other if we’re going to try to get to that level. “We’ve had conversations where we’ve had differences of opinion, but ultimately, Steve’s the boss.” Blashill is content to let others voice their opinion, but he is confident that he is a more experienced coach than he was seven years ago when he left the AHL and Grand Rapids for the NHL and Detroit. “Every level is unique and you face different challenges at different levels,” he said. “In the NHL, there are some unique challenges in coaching that are different from any other level that I have coached at. You have to grow through Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 35

those learning experiences. When you do, you grow as a person and you grow as a coach.” Blashill would be the first to admit that he has made mistakes. He is human, after all. “Every day you get a chance to execute and, for a coach, that execution comes down to the decisions you make or the messaging you have,” he said. “You’re going to go through stretches where you make lots of the right decisions and your messaging is super clear and there are going to be stretches when it’s not. That’s just the reality of coaching over a long period of time. “Without a doubt, I believe you grow through your experiences, both the good times and the tough times. You have to go through experiences in order to learn and sometimes when you do that, you’re able to execute enough to win and sometimes you’re not, and there are a lot of factors that go into that. “The great part of life is when you go after things and you challenge yourself, you’re going to go through things you’ve never experienced and you’re going to have to learn. That’s part of life. I certainly think I’m better prepared and more experienced, and because of that, I believe I’m a better coach today than I was when I left Grand Rapids.” Blashill will always look back fondly on his Griffins experience. “It was my first head coaching job in pro hockey and I learned a ton,” he said. “When I was in Grand Rapids, I was coaching a wide variety of ages, from a really young Tomas Jurco to a veteran like Jeff Hoggan who was a lot older. There are different ways that you handle not just different people but players at totally different ends of the perspective from age as well as their careers. Those were important lessons moving into the NHL. 36 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

“A lot gets made of the development side of the job when you’re in the American League, but I will be honest and say that development matters for every player, not just young players. And development matters at every level, not just the levels below the NHL. “One of the promises that I try to make to our players is that I’m going to help develop them regardless of what their birth certificate says their age is.” Not every player develops at the same rate – some players just take longer than others. There are examples in the Blashill is the NHL every season. This second-longest year has produced a tenured head pair of 24-year-old late coach in the NHL, trailing bloomers in Anaheim’s only Tampa Troy Terry, who had 29 Bay’s Jon Cooper. goals after 57 games (his previous high was seven goals), and Buffalo’s Tage Thompson, who had 24 goals after 56 games (his previous best was eight). Michael Rasmussen, Joe Veleno and Filip Zadina are all still younger than 23 years old. “Some young players come in and they make an immediate impact, but most young players are going to take time,” Blashill said. “They’re going to take time in the American league and they’re going to take time once they get to the NHL “In a perfect world, you’re able to keep them in the American League longer than maybe needed so you know they’re absolutely ready when they get to the NHL. We haven’t necessarily lived in that perfect world, so some guys have been up earlier than we may have wanted. That means they’re growing as players while they’re here. As a coach, you’re living with that growth – and with that comes some positives and some negatives. You’ve got to be able to be OK with that as long as they’re meeting certain standards. That’s the approach you have to take when you’re coaching

a team that’s in a rebuild-type mode.” Of course, the fan base – desiring to see success sooner than later – is often critical of coaching that stresses the importance of players being strong on the defensive side of the ice. In their opinion, coaches too often stifle creativity for the sake of developing two-way players. “I know that to win, you have to have a bunch of players who play two-way hockey, and not only do I know that, but my boss, Steve Yzerman, also knows that. He constantly preaches that to us,” Blashill said, noting that Yzerman only won his three Stanley Cups Blashill is eager after Red Wings head to return the coach Scotty Bowman Red Wings to the convinced Yzerman playoffs, but he to concentrate on his won’t rush the defensive play. process. “Our job is not to get our guys to produce as many points as possible. Our job is to help them become the very best winning hockey players they can become. Winning hockey means you’ve got to be able to defend. You can’t trade chance for chance. You have to be able to create offense in an efficient manner without unnecessary risk. None of those things are easy.” Coaches usually agree that most young players need to improve their defensive play. “A lot of players when they come into pro hockey haven’t had to (play defense) because they’ve been at levels where they’re so much better or their teams have been so much better than their opponents that they can trade chance for chance and they’re going to capitalize on their chances. That’s not the National Hockey League. “Anybody that watched the Wings in the late ‘80s and into the early ‘90s understands that the team didn’t become Stanley Cup champions until they committed to playing the type of defense that you have to play in order to win. Again, my boss knows that better than anybody. “We’re trying to create winning hockey players

here. And that is not judged on points alone by any stretch. That does not mean that points aren’t important, but it’s not points alone.” That means the Red Wings have endured their share of growing pains. At this point in the organization’s rebuild, Blashill professes to be less concerned with the team’s record than the overall progress of a team that is able to show that it can be competitive night in and night out. “The wins and losses are judged externally,” Blashill said. “Internally, you judge the team’s performance based on where you think your team is at. From a coaching perspective, are you helping your players maximize their potential and become the very best players they can be? “I won’t speak for Steve, but ultimately I think he’s going to judge on more than wins and losses right now. You’re judged based on – for the lack of a better phrase – how you maximize your group. That’s always open to opinion. Ultimately, the opinion that matters is what is voiced internally within our management team.” Blashill does not minimize the importance of winning hockey games, but he contends that the Red Wings are focused on the bigger picture, seeking incremental improvements that will serve the organization’s long-term interests rather than a few extra wins that might push the team closer to a playoff position now. “We certainly want to win each night but never at the sacrifice of long-term success,” he said. “Every once in a while, you can get lucky by signing an undrafted free agent or an NHL free agent, but the free agents who are really going to help your team usually happen when you are closer to winning. Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 37

”There is only one way to build a team in the National Hockey League and that’s through the draft. Nobody can put a timeline on how long that can take, but the more times you hit in the draft, the quicker you can probably turn to success. Generally, it takes a lot of time. Certainly, Steve knows that. I know that. It takes more time than any of us would like. We’d love to turn things around in a more expedient manner but that’s not the reality of how it works.” Blashill agrees that there are optimistic signs. Red Wings rookies Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond are both considered top candidates for the Calder Trophy, which goes annually to the NHL’s best firstyear player. Whether they are building blocks for the future remains to be seen. “Certainly, they have come in and done a really good job,” he said. “They look like guys who can help us into the future and help us be a better hockey team. I say this lots – it’s not about whether a guy can play in the league. It’s whether he makes your team better. “Those guys have shown moments where they’ve made us better. Now the key to whether they’re building blocks Blashill sharpened his mentoring skills and whether they’re during his three years going to help us in the in Grand Rapids. future is the work they put in to continue to improve. Ultimately, I don’t think either guy wants to be a good rookie. They want to be a great player in the NHL. I believe they both will work toward that on a daily basis and if they do that, they could be real impactful toward helping us become more successful. But it will take work and both of them want to work. Both of them have that inner drive, and that’s what it will take.” If leading the Griffins to their first Calder Cup taught Blashill anything, it was what the Red Wings will need if they want to win another championship. 38 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

“What you realize is that you need a special group of people – a special group of committed players who are willing to put the team first, guys who are talented but who also have all those intangibles of work ethic and sacrifice and competitiveness,” he said. “In the end, you go through a journey in the playoffs and that can be its own rollercoaster. There are critical moments and you have to be lucky at times. I thought we found our way to the championship because of the group that we had.” Nobody embodied the 2012-13 Griffins’ cando spirit more than its team captain, Jeff Hoggan, whose No. 10 jersey will hang from the Van Andel Arena rafters after the Griffins retire his number on April 2. “Jeff came to us at a time in his career where he was willing to sacrifice everything for the team’s success,” Blashill said. “Jeff was a great worker and all he wanted to do was win and it’s important when you have your leader showing the way. In order to win, you have to have winners on your team and Jeff Hoggan’s a winner for sure.” It’s that kind of determination, discipline, and work ethic that Blashill is doing his best to foster with the Red Wings. It’s also why Blashill is now the second-longest tenured head coach in the NHL, sitting behind only Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper – Blashill’s good friend and another Yzerman protégé. “There are times when you don’t see eye to eye or have a difference in opinion. And that’s OK. You don’t get to be the best by always agreeing with everybody. You get to the best by getting to the best answer and that’s what we’re trying to do here.”

While we would love to be sampling wine and beer and mingling with our favorite GRIFFINS player, out of safety, we are pausing our annual Hockey, Hops and Hope event for 2022, but we are still having our

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Defenseman 6-2, 200 lbs. Born: 8/18/90 Kelowna, B.C.

KYLE CRISCUOLO

Forward 5-9, 180 lbs. Born: 5/5/92 Southampton, N.J.

15 Forward 6-0, 194 lbs. Born: 9/13/92 Edmonton, Alta 40 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

JONATAN BERGGREN Forward 5-11, 195 lbs. Born: 7/16/00 Uppsala, Sweden

55 PATRICK CURRY

Forward 5-11, 190 lbs. Born: 1/9/96 Schaumburg, Ill.

36 TURNER ELSON

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VICTOR BRATTSTROM Goaltender 6-4, 202 lbs. Born: 3/22/97 Goteborg, Sweden

JOSH DICKINSON

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KADEN FULCHER

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18 TARO HIROSE

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BRIAN LASHOFF Defenseman 6-3, 215 lbs. Born: 7/16/90 Albany, N.Y.

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25 JARED McISAAC Defenseman 6-1, 192 lbs. Born: 3/27/00 Truro, N.S.

WYATT NEWPOWER Defenseman 6-3, 207 lbs Born: 12/9/97 Hugo, Minn.

37 Defenseman 6-2, 195 lbs. Born: 1/12/02 Kingston, Ont.

CHASE PEARSON Forward 6-3, 203 lbs. Born: 8/23/97 Alpharetta, Ga.

Forward 6-2, 200 lbs. Born: 1/13/00 Kirkland, Que.

HAYDEN VERBEEK Forward 5-10, 183 lbs. Born: 10/17/97 Kingston, Ont.

Defenseman 5-11, 180 lbs. Born: 3/31/93 Markham, Ont.

CALVIN PICKARD

DAN RENOUF

Goaltender 6-1, 210 lbs. Born: 4/15/92 Moncton, N.B.

DOMINIK SHINE Forward 5-11, 180 lbs. Born: 4/18/93 Detroit, Mich.

RYAN MURPHY

Forward 6-2, 190 lbs. Born: 3/12/97 Ottawa, Ont.

38 JOE VELENO

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21 DENNIS YAN

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‘HOGGie?’ more like ‘HERO’ On Saturday, April 2, Jeff Hoggan will become just the third Grand Rapids Griffin to have his number retired, joining No. 24 Travis Richards and No. 7 Michel Picard. But more than seven years before having his No. 10 jersey raised to the Van Andel Arena rafters, Hoggan was uniquely immortalized, honored in a way that none of the other 556 players in franchise history have been. With his own superhero lunchbox. The vintage, metal promotional item – which Yahoo’s Puck Daddy blog called “without question, one of the coolest things we’ve ever seen a hockey team give away” – capitalized on the bespectacled captain’s uncanny resemblance to Clark Kent. But while the mild-mannered, fictional newsman needed a cape and a phone booth to acquire his superpowers, all Hoggan ever needed was a hockey uniform and a locker room of teammates to lead. Signed as a free agent just prior to the 2012-13 season, Hoggan became the longest-tenured captain in franchise history (2012-16). He led the Griffins to their first Calder Cup title that season – the team’s first championship in its 17 seasons to that point – and to records of 8-3 in playoff series and 34-25 in playoff games overall during his four seasons in West Michigan. By way of comparison, Grand Rapids had an 8-10 series record and a 45-47 mark in postseason games over its first 16 seasons. During Hoggan’s first three playoff campaigns (2013 to 2015), the Griffins played 50 contests, tying for the most by any AHL team over a three-year span in league history, and he remains the only AHL player since at least 2005 to captain his team into the second round in four consecutive postseasons. The three teams that managed to defeat Grand Rapids in the playoffs during Hoggan’s tenure all reached the finals, with Texas (2014) and Lake Erie (2016) winning the cup and Utica (2015) finishing as runner-up. Upon Hoggan’s departure in 2016, he ranked among the team’s all-time playoff leaders with 59 games played (T1st) and 27 points (T4th). He was a founding member and arguably the cornerstone of the modern Griffins culture that has produced two Calder Cups and a franchise-record seven consecutive playoff teams, and now his No. 10 will forever hang from Van Andel Arena’s rafters. 42 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

During the 2015 Western Conference Quarterfinals, the Griffins became the 11th team in AHL history to win a best-of-five series after trailing 0-2, rallying to knock out Toronto. In a performance that conjured memories of the great Mark Messier, Hoggan was a constant physical, disruptive force in the Game 3 victory that started Grand Rapids’ series comeback.

Hoggan, who led the Griffins to division titles in both 2012-13 and 2014-15, served as the Western Conference’s captain at the 2016 AHL All-Star Classic, and he mentored more than two dozen players who eventually advanced to the Detroit Red Wings.

In 2014-15, Hoggan won the AHL’s 2014-15 Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award as the player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey

In 2015-16, the Griffins posted separate winning streaks of 15 and 13 games, becoming one of just two teams in AHL history with two double-digit winning streaks in the same season. Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 43

Story and photos by Mark Newman

Jonatan Berggren has his entire NHL career ahead of him, but if things don’t work out, he has a backup plan in place. He will happily be a padel player. Like many Swedes, Berggren became obsessed with the sport that has taken the Scandinavian country by storm. A hybrid of tennis and squash, padel had been popular in Spain, Mexico, and Latin American countries before the sport was wildly embraced in Sweden during the pandemic by an estimated 500,000 players. “I have never seen a sport become so big, so fast,” Berggren said. “In the beginning, I was against it. I didn’t want to play it, but once I did, I was totally into it. Most of my time other than when I am training during the summer, I play padel with my friends.” 44 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Considered the world’s fastest-growing sport, it’s best explained as tennis played inside a box where players can play the ball off glasspanel walls on the back or metal mesh on the sides. Promoters of the sport say if tennis is checkers, padel is chess. They call it “a thinking person’s sport.” “It’s not like tennis where if you play against someone a little better than you, it becomes boring because it’s so hard,“ Berggren said. “In padel, you can be not as good and still keep the game alive, which is so much fun. It’s fun having long battles with friends.” Berggren confesses that his padel career may have already peaked. “I was really good at it two years ago, but I didn’t play that much last summer because the weather back in Sweden was so nice.

Jonatan Berggren is enjoying his first season as a pro in North America.

I’d be out on the sea, just having fun. And it’s so hard to play now because you don’t have it here.” Currently, the few clubs in the U.S. are in California, Florida and Texas. Fortunately for Red Wings fans, Berggren is showing that his future is on the ice and not the padel court. During his first season in North America, he has displayed the kind of playmaking skills that could earn him a ticket to Detroit, where he will become another in a long line of Swedish players who have worn the winged wheel on their chest. “As a whole, I think he’s done a really good job of maintaining his offensive prowess and generating scoring chances,” said Griffins head coach Ben Simon. “Defensively, he’s still a work-in-progress but he’s become a little more

consistent with his play away from the puck. “He’s learning and he’s definitely a much better player from the day he walked through the doors here during the first week of October. We’re happy with his growth and he’s got a lot of potential. We’ll see if and when he gets the opportunity how that translates to the NHL.” Berggren has the kind of hockey pedigree that scouts love. His father, Håkan, played pro hockey, mostly in Sweden’s lower divisions, while his older brothers, Jesper and Jakob (11 and 9 years his senior, respectively), also played in Enköping, a modest-sized municipality about 40 miles northwest of Stockholm. “My dad was the one who showed me how to play hockey when I was 3 or 4 years old,” he said. Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 45

“We always had fun. It was a lot of skating and practice without the puck. We did some of the boring stuff that you as a kid hate to do. Now that I’m older, I can understand.” Skating exercises at the beginning of every ice session were designed to teach Berggren the fundamentals that would be helpful much later as he progressed through the junior ranks. “I’m grateful that he showed me those drills,” he said. “I don’t think I would have been the skater I am now if I didn’t learn the small details as a young kid.” His father continued his coaching until he became sick. Berggren was 13 years old when cancer took his father, leaving big brother Jesper to step forward and assume an almost paternal role. “Jesper was the guy who I could talk to about everything,” he said. “We would have our battles when I didn’t have a good game, but I would not be here if I did not have Jesper on my side.” Hockey gave Berggren an outlet to escape his grief. “My brothers and my mom became closer, and everyone tried to help everyone else,” he said. “It was nice to have hockey there like a ‘free zone.’ I didn’t need to think about what had happened back home, so it was good to be with friends and just have fun.”

At 13, Berggren was already competing against players who were up to four years older. He was scoring at a pace of nearly a goal per game. At 15, he moved to Skellefteå to play in Sweden’s top under-18 league, and a year later he made his debut in the country’s SuperElit league and his stock continued to rise. Playing in leagues where almost everyone else was 2-3 years older only helped him to work harder. “I was never the biggest player on the ice,” Berggren said. “Some of the other players were two heads taller than me. I needed to learn how to take care of myself, how to play smarter than them, and how to improve my hockey IQ. I think it helped me to learn how to play against bigger guys.” He also showed that he could excel at the international level. At the 2017 Hlinka Memorial Tournament, he tied for his team’s scoring lead as Sweden captured a bronze medal. During the 2017-18 season, he tallied 11 goals and 12 assists in 21 international contests. In the U18 World Junior Championship, he recorded five goals and five assists in seven games. Plenty of people started taking notice. Many scouts were saying he was a legitimate firstBerggren was a second-round pick of the Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

46 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

round talent. Famed Red Wings scout Håkan Andersson compared Berggren to Viktor Arvidsson, a two-time 30-goal scorer for the Nashville Predators who was similarly undersized (Berggren is listed at 5-11, 195-lbs.). The scuttlebutt among scouts was Berggren might be a Top-15 pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. A conversation with the legendary Andersson over breakfast had the young forward hopeful that he might be picked by his favorite team. “My dad had a yellow Zetterberg stick that he kept in the garage when I was younger,” Berggren said. “I played against one of the sons of Nicklas Lidstrom, so I knew when he was in the stands, watching the game. I would look and see him, so that was pretty cool.” Berggren was at the draft in Dallas and when the Red Wings took Filip Zadina at No. 6 and Joe Veleno at No. 30, he was heartbroken. When the rest of the teams picked other players, he couldn’t believe it. “I think me and my brother were the angriest people in the world after the first round. It was not a fun moment,” said Berggren, who remembers that they went back to the hotel and straight to bed. “I felt like I had a pretty good season, so I felt like I deserved to go in the first round. When it didn’t happen, I was sad and angry. That day was not so fun.” His luck would change the next day. With the second pick of the second round (33rd overall), the Red Wings found themselves in a position to steal a forward who was prized for the strength of his skating, his puckhandling skills, and his overall hockey intelligence. If there might have been fleeting thoughts of his father’s Zetterberg souvenir, Berggren says everything became a blur after hearing his name announced. “I don’t actually remember much,” he said. “I felt like my heart had stopped. The next hour I felt like I was walking on air like I was a ghost. Afterward, it was such a cool experience for me and my family. I was a Red Wings fan because they were always so good and the team had so many Swedish players. It was pretty easy to like them when I was younger.” Unfortunately, his luck would change again. The year following the draft, he appeared in just 16 games with Skellefteå

Like many Swedes, Berggren was a fan of the Red Wings while growing up.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 47

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48 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

before discovering that he had suffered a lowerback injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. When he returned for the 2019-20 season, he managed to stay healthy for just 24 games before undergoing shoulder surgery. “It’s never fun when you have injuries that long and you’re sitting in the stands, seeing the game alone while watching your teammates play,” he said. “But I think those two years were the best thing that could have happened because I had time to focus on getting stronger in the gym.” Berggren admits that rehab was not easy. “When you know that you have three or four months before you can play hockey again, some days are really bad,” he said. “Sometimes it can be tough but I was able to fix it.” If losing taught Berggren anything, it was that he could take nothing for granted. If he thought he could cruise on his natural abilities in the past, he now realizes that he needed to work twice as hard to make the most of every opportunity provided. Berggren was determined to make up for lost time – and stay healthy in the process. Last season, he tied for his team’s lead in scoring by collecting 45 points (12-33—45) in 48 games.

It gave him the confidence to make the jump to the AHL and join the Griffins. Last fall he was injured in the first game of the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, which effectively derailed any hope he had to make the Red Wings’ roster out of training camp. Then to add insult to injury, he got lost on his way to joining the Griffins. Aware that the Wings’ AHL affiliate was a two-hour drive from Detroit, Berggren and his girlfriend Tilde were surprised when they couldn’t find the rink in Grand Rapids… Ohio, a village that was considerably smaller than their intended destination. “Everyone back in Sweden had a good laugh,” he said. “I think everyone thought it was so typical of me.” Eventually, Berggren found his way to the right Grand Rapids. After a week of practice, he made his Griffins debut, getting an assist in the team’s home-opening 6-1 victory, then going scoreless in the team’s next four games. “The first couple of games were difficult,” he said. “I didn’t put up many points for the first five or six games like I would normally do, but then I started to find how I could play my game in this league.” Berggren is more of a playmaker than a shooter but he is working on trying to take more shots on goal.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 49

The youngest of three boys, Berggren is following in the footsteps of his late father, Håkan, who played pro hockey in Sweden.

50 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

After his slow start, Berggren scored a goal in three consecutive games. He has had two-goal games in Texas (Nov. 20) and Iowa (Feb. 10) and recorded four assists in Cleveland (Jan. 18). “I started feeling like I was getting better every game,” he said. “Right now, I feel confident that I know how to play to have success.” Asked to name his best friend in hockey, Berggren answers, “the puck.” “It’s always fun to score,” he said. “I like to have the puck a lot. I think my strength is when I have the puck and can create chances for my teammates. I think the game is so much more fun when you have the puck.” Berggren realizes that he needs to become more aggressive and not be afraid to shoot the puck. “I will always be the guy who looks for the pass before shooting, so it’s something that I’m trying to work on every day,” he said. “I think I am getting better at it. When the puck goes in, it gives you more confidence to shoot, so I’m trying to shoot as much as I can. “I’ve seen how if you just shoot the puck toward the net in this league, good things can happen – you might get a good bounce. You

never know what could happen.” Berggren talks every day with his brother Jesper, who is still generous with his advice. He also stays in touch with brother Jakob and his friends back home, often playing video games with the guys. “I’m a big Fortnite guy,” he said. “I think I play the most, but I think I’m the worst.” He is working on his patience. “I told my brother that I’m trying to take each day for what it is,” he said. “You can’t think too much about the future. When you think too much, your game gets worse and you play bad, so I take one day at a time.” Berggren has been working with Todd Krygier, picking up tips during extra practice sessions with the Griffins assistant coach. “I’m getting so much help here and I’m confident that my game, offensively and defensively, will grow each day,” he said. He hopes he will eventually get a chance to show what he can do in Detroit. “I’m just trying to get a little better every day,” he said. “I’m working on the small details that will make me a better hockey player.” His padel career will have to wait.

Berggren had a career-high four assists against the Cleveland Monsters on Jan. 18.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 51

HITHER AND YAN The journey to become a professional hockey player does not always follow an expected course.

52 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Dennis Yan can attest to the fact that the path to professional hockey does not follow a straight line. Any player who reaches the upper levels of the game knows that the journey does not come with a compass, a map, or even directions. Most fans assume that players come through either junior hockey in Canada, college in the U.S., or one of the European leagues, but it’s not always that simple. Hockey, like life, is unpredictable. Yan spent the better part of his childhood growing up in Russia, where his parents lived before work brought his father to Portland, Ore., the birthplace of both Dennis and his younger brother Andrew (less than two years separate the boys). When he was five, Yan and his family moved back to Moscow. It was there that hockey became part of his life. “When my father put me on the ice, I fell in love with the game pretty quick and it just felt natural,” said Yan, whose paternal grandparents emigrated from Korea to Russia. “There was a lot of practice and I kept getting better and better until I realized that it was my passion.” Like many young Russian players, Yan was indoctrinated to the sport in a fashion that focused his attention on hockey, almost to the exclusion of others. Sports outside of hockey are only encouraged in a way that benefits the primary directive. Growing up, it was school, hockey, school, hockey. “I was always busy with those two things,” he said. “In Russia, you play a lot of different sports with the team, sports like soccer and handball to give young athletes a different vision of the game. The idea is to see the same game differently and to improve your skills.” Yan said his hockey team would play other sports once a week. “In Russia, the game is more about the possession of the puck, trying to hold onto the puck as much as you can until you can make a play out of it,” he said. “So playing together as one unit like a soccer team is important. Although you don’t have a stick in your hands, other games can help with your vision even when you’re playing with your feet or your hands.” Yan attended a hockey camp

that was run by Pavel Datsyuk, the PD13 Hockey School, where his play reportedly earned high praise from camp organizers. Taking part in drills designed by the Detroit Red Wings superstar, Yan displayed the gifts that would eventually earn the attention of NHL scouts. Staying in the Soviet-styled system could have been an option, but Yan’s family opted to have him play elsewhere. “Every family in Russia has their own life and we grew up in pretty good conditions. We had a car, a home, food, and everything we needed. Life was pretty good,” he said. “I continued to play [in Russia] until the age of 14, when my parents decided to fly me back to North America to start my career here.” Yan played minor midget AAA hockey for the Lambton Jr. Sting in Sarnia, Ontario. His billet family was Hockey Hall of Famer and former Red Wings star Dino Ciccarelli’s brother Larry, whose son Matteo was also on the team. “They took me in and treated me very well,” he said. Although he held dual Russian-American citizenship, Yan said coming to North America was a big adjustment. “It was the toughest time for me because I was a really young guy and I didn’t really know English,” he said. “The first three months were especially hard, going to school and everything, but hockey kept my head in things.” Alone in a foreign country, Yan might have felt isolated and alone, but he trusted that his family had his best interests in mind. “My parents made the decision for me because I was really young,” he said. “I didn’t know what was going to be my path, but once I came over and started playing hockey in juniors and then getting drafted, I realized that this is my path.” In the moment, Yan admits that he was not thinking about his future, only the present. “At first, I went day by day, then month by month, then season by season,” he said. The more physical side of North American hockey also exacted its toll. “I got a concussion during the first year because I think I wasn’t used to the style of play,” he said.” It took me some games to get used to it, but I still had a lot of fun. If you’re good in youth hockey, it’s still enjoyable because you’re just playing the game and having fun.” Yan learned that he had to adjust the way he played the game. “With the smaller rink [in North America], there’s way less space and it’s Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 53

After growing up in Russia with Korean heritage, Yan returned to North America to pursue his dream of playing in the NHL.

54 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

a way faster game,” he said. “In those early days when I was 14 or 15 years old, it took me a full season, but later I understood how the game is played and now I am used to it.” In his second year, he entered the Belle Tire program for the 2012-13 season and recorded an impressive 30 goals in 40 games. “It was another step higher, playing U18 as a 16-year-old kid,” he said. “I was always playing a little underage, so I had to push myself to progress.” It didn’t hurt that he was being mentored at the time by Russian hockey legend and former Red Wings center Igor Larionov. “I was practicing with him during my time with Belle Tire,” Yan said. “He is a very smart guy who helped me out a lot. He gave me some great advice during morning skates and extra skill practices during the season. He was part of my success, for sure.” After the 2013-14 season, Yan had hoped to play in the Ontario Hockey League but his immigration status derailed those plans. “I was supposed to be in the OHL draft because I have dual citizenship,” he said. “I think they got it wrong when they didn’t include me in their draft. I had to wait an extra year, so I ended up playing in the U.S. program.” He spent a season in the U.S. National Team

Development Program, playing for the U17 team that included future NHL stars Auston Matthews (Toronto), Matthew Tkachuk (Calgary), Charlie McAvoy (Boston) and Zach Werenski (Columbus), along with several other future NHL players. In 48 games, Yan scored 12 goals, matching the total potted by Matthews, who naturally scored his dozen in half as many games. Nevertheless, it was an impressive enough showing to get him drafted by the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Yan tallied 208 points in 185 games during his three years in Shawinigan, where he enjoyed 33-, 32- and 46-goal seasons. “I really liked it there,” he said. “I learned a little French, listening to people to the point where I could understand what they were talking about – not like 100 percent, more like 80 percent. “Being there for three years, you can’t help but learn. Of course, you forget it all if you don’t practice.” It was after his first year in Quebec that the Tampa Bay Lightning used their third pick (64th overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft to select the 6-foot-2, 192-lb. winger, whose offensive talents suggested that he had a high ceiling as a prospect. “Getting drafted meant I was able to get an

Yan spent two of his teenage years in Michigan, playing first for the Belle Tire program and, later, USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Plymouth.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 55

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NHL camp under my belt, which helped for sure,” he said. “It made me better as an older player in the league when I went back to Shawinigan.” Following his time in junior hockey, Yan joined Tampa’s AHL affiliate in Syracuse. As a member of the Crunch for three seasons, he worked alongside several players who would become important pieces of the Lightning’s backto-back Stanley Cup championship teams, along with future Red Wings players Adam Erne and Mitchell Stephens. “In Tampa, the development process is really top-notch for top prospects, not just on the ice but also off the ice,” he said. “I became a man in terms of understanding and playing the professional game. Being a pro is way different from juniors. The time you put in, the work you do, requires hours and hours. I thought they did an unbelievable job of giving me everything I needed to succeed and grow as a player.” Yan registered double-figure goal totals (13, 11, 10) each season in Syracuse but was not re-signed after his three-year entry-level deal expired. He suddenly found himself in limbo without a deal during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I went back to Russia and spent time visiting my father, waiting for things to unfold in terms of

where I was going to play,” he said. “I was a free agent and I was practicing by myself, just waiting for a contract. I didn’t want to skip the whole season, so I finally decided to finish the season in Austria to at least get in some games in.” Yan played 13 games for the Steinbach Black Wings in Linz, Austria, to finish the 2020-21 season. “It was a different experience because Europe is another style of hockey,” he said. “I wasn’t there that long, maybe a couple of months, but I was happy that I played those 13 games.” He was thrilled to change the color of his wings for the 2021-22 season, signing a one-year deal in September 2021 to play for Detroit’s top minor league affiliate. The chance to play for Grand Rapids meant he was back under the gaze of Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, who had inked him to his first pro contract. “I was very excited,” he said. “It was very special for me because I had spent a couple of years living in Michigan and I knew some people in the organization. I know it was a late signing but it was exciting knowing that they wanted me. “It was also exciting knowing how many fans come to the games in Grand Rapids. It’s very special to play in this city compared with other places in the league. I’m still pursuing my dream, Yan played three years of junior hockey in Quebec.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 57

so I am excited to go wherever my path takes me, but Grand Rapids is an especially good place to play.” Yan, who already knew Luke Witkowski from his days in Tampa, quickly acclimated himself to his new city. “When you come to a new team, it helps for sure, but all of the guys here are very nice,” he said. “It’s a good group of guys, so it was easy to come into this situation.” He is doing his best to contribute to the Griffins’ push to the playoffs. “Over the years, I’ve been put into different roles,” he said. “Mostly, I am successful when I play a hard, gritty game and show that defensive side of my game. If I play hard and compete, that’s when I am successful.” He is confident that the Griffins can be the kind of team that others will fear in the playoffs. “We’re going to make a good push,” he said. “We’ve already shown that we can win games, but it’s going to be tricky. Hockey is unpredictable, so anything can happen. “We can definitely be in the playoffs, but it will take some effort.” In the meantime, he stays in touch with his family. While his parents remain in Russia, his brother is a U.S. Marine with the 3rd

Reconnaissance Battalion stationed at Camp Schwab in Okinawa, Japan. “We came back to North America at the same time, but he went back to Portland, where we were born, because our grandmother was still living there,” he said. “He played a little hockey, but we had different kinds of bodies, so he played American football and wrestling. Yan talks to his family in Russian, which is still his first language. “My English is pretty good, except for the accent,” he said. “We were taught English in school, but when I first came over, it was like I didn’t know any words at all.” Going from one place to another has made Yan feel like he’s “Mr. International.” “If someone asks me where I am from, I don’t even know how to answer,” he said. “Most players have a simple story. They were born in this town in the U.S., Canada, or Sweden and they grew up, but me, I feel like I’ve been moving all the time, never feeling like I had a place that I could call home. “For me, home is where my family is. That’s where I am most happy. I have definitely enjoyed the ride and I am excited going forward.”

Yan was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third round (64th overall pick) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 59

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Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 63

RECORDBOOK ANDLEADERS Through games of March 10, 2022

GAMES PLAYED Travis Richards Brian Lashoff (2nd) 5 players tied Riley Barber, Joe Hicketts GOALS Michel Picard Turner Elson (22nd) Donald MacLean (2005-06) Riley Barber ASSISTS Michel Picard Brian Lashoff (T14th) Jiri Hudler (2005-06) Taro Hirose

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21 All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21 All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21

655 557 *82 32

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21

158 54 *56 20

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21

222 88 60 23

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21

POINTS Michel Picard Turner Elson (24th) Michel Picard (1996-97) Riley Barber PLUS/MINUS Travis Richards Turner Elson (13th) Ivan Ciernik (2000-01) Turner Elson PENALTY MINUTES Darryl Bootland Dominik Shine (19th) Darryl Bootland (2005-06) Dylan McIlrath

380 129 101 34 +131 +44 *+41 +6 1,164 312 390 70

* = Led League

Michel Picard

Calvin Pickard

Darryl Bootland

Turner Elson

Brian Lashoff

Joey MacDonald

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21 All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21 All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21

GOALIE GAMES PLAYED Tom McCollum Calvin Pickard (10th) Joey MacDonald (2004-05) Kevin Boyle, Pat Nagle GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE Martin Prusek Calvin Pickard (16th) Martin Prusek (2001-02) Pat Nagle WINS Tom McCollum Calvin Pickard (10th) Joey MacDonald (2004-05) Mike Fountain (2000-01) Kevin Boyle

263 74 *66 12

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21

1.83 2.68 *1.82 2.78

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21

122 36

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21

34 *34 7

* = Led League

SHUTOUTS Joey MacDonald Calvin Pickard (T10th) 6 players tied Kaden Fulcher SAVES Tom McCollum Calvin Pickard (9th) Joey MacDonald (2004-05) Pat Nagle SAVE PERCENTAGE Martin Prusek Calvin Pickard (11th) Joey MacDonald (2003-04) Pat Nagle

20 4 6 1 6,640 2,051 1,785 256 0.930 0.913 0.936 0.892

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 65

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Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 67

GRIFFINS IN THE ALL-STAR GAME 2020

Matthew Ford

2 019

2 018

Chris Terry

2 016

Chris Terry

2020

Matt Puempel

2 018

Matt Lorito

2 015

2 014

Jeff Hoggan and Xavier Ouellet

Teemu Pulkkinen

Alexey Marchenko

2 013

Chad Billins

Petr Mrazek

2019-20

Matthew Ford, Chris Terry

2005-06

2018-19

Chris Terry

2004-05

Niklas Kronwall, Joey MacDonald

2017-18

Matt Lorito, Matt Puempel

2003-04

2016-17

Matt Lorito, Robbie Russo, Todd Nelson (head coach)

Jiri Hudler, Niklas Kronwall, Travis Richards (captain), Nathan Robinson

2002-03

Marc Lamothe, Mark Mowers

2015-16

Jeff Hoggan (captain), Xavier Ouellet

2014-15

Xavier Ouellet, Teemu Pulkkinen

2013-14

Alexey Marchenko, Jeff Blashill (co-coach)

2012-13

Chad Billins, Petr Mrazek, Gustav Nyquist

2011-12

Gustav Nyquist

2010-11

Ilari Filppula, Brendan Smith

1999-00

2009-10

Patrick Rissmiller

1998-99

Robert Petrovicky, Maxim Spiridonov

2008-09

Jakub Kindl, Daniel Larsson

1997-98

Ian Gordon, Kerry Huffman, Michel Picard

2007-08

Jonathan Ericsson, Jimmy Howard

1996-97

Jeff Nelson, Michel Picard, Pokey Reddick

2006-07

Derek Meech, Kip Miller (captain)

68 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

2001-02

2000-01

Valtteri Filppula, Jiri Hudler, Donald MacLean

Chris Bala, John Gruden, Kip Miller, Martin Prusek, Petr Schastlivy, Bruce Cassidy (head coach), Gene Reilly (asst. coach) Mike Fountain, Joel Kwiatkowski, Travis Richards, Todd White, Bruce Cassidy (co-coach) John Gruden, Jani Hurme, Kevin Miller, Petr Schastlivy

Gustav Nyquist

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70 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

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Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 71

Behind every goal. fastsigns.com/467

72 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

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

ABBOTSFORD CANUCKS BAKERSFIELD CONDORS BELLEVILLE SENATORS BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS CHARLOTTE CHECKERS CHICAGO WOLVES CLEVELAND MONSTERS COLORADO EAGLES GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS HARTFORD WOLF PACK HENDERSON SILVER KNIGHTS HERSHEY BEARS IOWA WILD LAVAL ROCKET LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS MANITOBA MOOSE MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS ONTARIO REIGN PROVIDENCE BRUINS ROCHESTER AMERICANS ROCKFORD ICEHOGS SAN DIEGO GULLS SAN JOSE BARRACUDA SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS STOCKTON HEAT SYRACUSE CRUNCH TEXAS STARS TORONTO MARLIES TUCSON ROADRUNNERS UTICA COMETS WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

74 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Griffins in the NHL Since their inception in 1996, the Griffins have sent 190 players to the National Hockey League, 17 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 eight of the last 14 years and in 10 of the last 17 seasons. In chronological order, here are the 23 goalies and 167 skaters who have worn an NHL sweater after playing for Grand Rapids, along with the dates of their NHL debuts/returns. 76 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

IT ALL

STARTS

HERE

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.................................11/4/08 MIN at SJ 97..........Landon Wilson.....................11/22/08 DAL vs. ANA 98..........Bryan Helmer.....................11/28/08 WSH vs. MTL 99..........Chris Chelios ..........................12/13/08 DET at PHX 100........Aaron Downey.........................1/29/09 DET vs. DAL 101........Justin Abdelkader..................1/31/09 DET at WSH 102........Ville Leino................................1/31/09 DET at WSH 103........Aaron Gagnon......................10/16/09 DAL vs. BOS 104........Scott Parse................................10/24/09 LA at PHX 105........Doug Janik...............................11/3/09 DET vs. BOS 106.........Ryan Keller................................11/25/09 OTT at NJ 107........Jakub Kindl.............................12/3/09 DET vs. EDM 108........Kris Newbury........................12/14/09 DET vs. PHX 109.........Darren Haydar...........................2/10/10 COL vs. ATL 110........Andreas Lilja................................3/1/10 DET at COL 111.........Jeremy Williams......................10/24/10 NYR vs. NJ 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 158........Jared Coreau...............................12/3/16 DET at PIT 159.......Nick Jensen........................12/20/16 DET at TB 160........Drew Miller...............................2/28/17 DET at VAN 161........Robbie Russo..............................3/7/17 DET at TOR 162.....Dan Renouf.................. 3/27/17 DET at CAR 163........Ben Street..................................3/28/17 DET at CAR 164.....Evgeny Svechnikov.........4/3/17 DET vs. OTT 165........Matt Lorito.................................4/8/17 DET vs. MTL 166.....Kyle Criscuolo.............. 11/17/17 BUF at DET 167........Dominic Turgeon.......................1/14/18 DET at CHI 168........Joe Hicketts..................................1/22/18 DET at NJ 169.....Dennis Cholowski..........10/4/18 DET vs. CBJ 170........Libor Sulak................................10/4/18 DET vs. CBJ 171.....Filip Hronek...................10/4/18 DET vs. CBJ 172........Wade Megan..............................11/1/18 DET vs. NJ 173........Christoffer Ehn........................11/6/18 DET vs. VAN 174........Eddie Pasquale............................12/4/18 TB at DET 175.....Michael Rasmussen........2/7/19 DET vs. VGK 176.....Filip Zadina......................2/24/19 DET vs. SJ 177........Matt Puempel..........................3/23/19 DET at VGK 178........Dylan McIlrath.............................3/25/19 DET at SJ 179........Jake Chelios.................................3/29/19 DET vs. NJ 180.....Givani Smith.............. 10/25/19 DET vs. BUF 181.....Calvin Pickard..............11/29/19 DET at PHI 182.....Madison Bowey.......... 12/14/19 DET at MTL 183.....Taro Hirose...................... 2/6/20 DET at BUF 184.....Gustav Lindstrom........... 2/6/20 DET at BUF 185.....Joe Veleno..................... 4/27/21 DET at CBJ 186........Mathias Brome............................5/7/21 DET at CBJ 187.....Moritz Seider................10/14/21 DET vs. TB 188.....Riley Barber..................12/18/21 DET vs. NJ 189.....Gemel Smith.....................2/2/22 DET vs. LA 190.....Luke Witkowski.............3/12/22 DET at CGY Bold = Has played in the NHL this season (as of March. 15, 2022) Italics = Had name engraved on the Stanley Cup after playing for Grand Rapids All photos by Getty Images Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 77

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78 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

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WORKING MEN

Nearly five years after capturing Grand Rapids’ second Calder Cup, the 27 members of the Griffins’ 2017 championship team are spread across the globe, either still playing hockey or working in a number of professions postretirement. Can you match each 2017 Calder Cup champion with his current position/team or job/employer (as of March 14, 2022)? Good luck!

2017 CALDER CUP CHAMPIONS A. Conor Allen B. Tyler Bertuzzi C. Mike Borkowski D. Mitch Callahan E. Colin Campbell F. Daniel Cleary G. Jared Coreau H. Kyle Criscuolo I. Matthew Ford J. Martin Frk K. Cal Heeter L. Joe Hicketts M. Axel Holmstrom N. Filip Hronek O. Brian Lashoff P. Matt Lorito Q. Dylan McIlrath R. Tomas Nosek S. Nathan Paetsch T. Eddie Pasquale U. Dan Renouf V. Robbie Russo W. Dylan Sadowy X. Ben Street Y. Evgeny Svechnikov Z. Eric Tangradi AA. Dominic Turgeon

CURRENT OCCUPATIONS 1. Forward/Augsburger Panther (DEL/Germany) 2. Left Wing/Boston Bruins (NHL) 3. Development Coach/Buffalo Sabres (NHL) 4. Asst. Director of Player Development/Detroit Red Wings (NHL) 5. Defenseman/Detroit Red Wings (NHL) 6. Left Wing/Detroit Red Wings (NHL) 7. Forward/EHC Munchen (DEL/Germany) 8. Owner/Ford Hockey School (Chicago) 9. Center/Grand Rapids Griffins 10. Defenseman/Grand Rapids Griffins – 2 players 11. Goaltender/Grizzlys Wolfsburg (DEL/Germany) 12. Right Wing/Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) 13. Senior Associate/Heidrick & Struggles (New York) 14. Defenseman/Hershey Bears (AHL) 15. Center/Iowa Wild (AHL) 16. Defenseman/Iowa Wild (AHL) 17. Goaltender/Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL/Russia) 18. Coach/Los Angeles Jr. Kings 19. Right Wing/Ontario Reign (AHL) 20. Realtor/Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty (Pittsburgh) 21. Center/Sport (Liiga/Finland) 22. Employee Benefits Representative/Sun Life (St. Louis) 23. Sales Executive/The Rubicon Group Ltd. (Chicago) 24. Forward/Tulsa Oilers (ECHL) 25. Defenseman/Utica Comets (AHL) 26. Left Wing/Winnipeg Jets (NHL)

ANSWERS A. 23; B. 6; C. 13; D. 18; E. 1; F. 4; G. 11; H. 9; I. 8; J. 19; K. 22; L. 16; M. 21; N. 5; O. 10; P. 12; Q. 14; R. 2; S. 3; T. 17; U. 10; V. 25; W. 24; X. 7; Y. 26; Z. 20; AA. 15 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 79

PARTING SHOT

Griffins all-time leading scorer Michel Picard acknowledges the crowd during the ceremony to retire his jersey number on Feb. 19, 2022. Longtime captain Jeff Hoggan will become the third Griffins player to have his jersey hung from the Van Andel Arena rafters on April 2, 2022, when the organization retires his No. 10. Photo by Mark Newman 80 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

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2021-22 Griffiti - Issue #4

Articles inside

HITHER AND YAN

‘FINISH WHAT YOU START’

HAVING A BALL