2017-18 Griffiti - Issue #3

2017-18 SEASON ISSUE NO. 3

RISING SON

DOMINIC TURGEON

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

T

Vol. 22, No. 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS STARTING LINEUP 26 GREAT EXPECTATIONS Dominic Turgeon is building a reputation as a strong, two-way center with solid defensive play, expert penalty killing skills and a newfound scoring touch.

26

34 BACK WHERE HE BELONGS Michigan native Corey Elkins is happy to have returned to his home state, playing for the Red Wings organization that he loved as a boy.

42 PARADISE CITY Eric Tangradi has found that his time in Grand Rapids has given him renewed purpose and confidence.

52 ONE-WAY CONTRACT Hockey Ministries International strives to keep players on a straight and narrow path.

56 FOREVER CHAMPS The Griffins’ veteran quartet from the 2013 Calder Cup team reflect on the upcoming fifth anniversary of the organization’s first title.

34

ON THE BENCH 2.........Chalk Talk 4.........Scouting Report 9.........Griffins chedule 12......AHL Tradition 15......AHL Team Directory 19......Detroit Red Wings 21......Promotional Calendar 24......A Winning Team 40......Meet the Griffi

50......InfoGRIFFics 63......Griffins ecords 68......Griffins ll-Stars 73......Penalty Calls 74......Arena Map/Ticket Info 76......It All Starts Here 79......Calder City Comics 80......Parting Shot

COVER:

42

Griffins center Dominic Turgeon has made great strides during his second season in Grand Rapids.

Photo by Mark Newman

Griffiti magazine is published four times a year by the Grand Rapids Griffins, Van Andel Ar 130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All contents ©2018 Grand Rapids Griffin For advertising information, contact Griffins Sales & Marketing, (616) 774-458 fax (616) 336-5464. Unsolicited manuscripts and other materials will not be returned.

56

1

WITH GRIFFINS HEAD COACH TODD NELSON 2

The Griffins were feeling a lot better as the midpoint of the season approached.

After suffering through a serious championship hangover, the team was beginning to regain its footing.

The Griffins put together five straight wins, after not winning more than two consecutive games in the first 31 contests.

“The first three months were weird,” said Griffins head coach Todd Nelson. “It seemed like every break that went for us last year went against us. (Defending the Cup), we knew it was going to be tough, but this went beyond that.”

Like many Cup winners, the Griffins had to deal with the aftershocks of winning the organization’s second title in five seasons. The team seemed like it was still recovering from its long playoff run.

“To play into early June, go through a short summer and then be back at it eight weeks later is a challenge,” he said.

“When you go deep into the playoffs, it makes repeating that success the next year that much more difficult.

Winning a Cup in back-to-back seasons is not easy.”

In the past 26 AHL seasons, only one team (Hershey Bears, 2009 and 2010) has won consecutive Cups.

Nelson wouldn’t make excuses, but one could fault everything from unlucky bounces to third-period breakdowns for the Griffins’ early season struggles.

Injuries also played a factor. Matt Lorito and Matt Puempel, the team’s two AHL All-Stars, had missed several games, as had Turner Elson.

“The positive is we’re getting healthy,” Nelson said.

“The past several games heading into the holidays we played the right way. We’re learning as a group that winning isn’t easy. We have to work hard, giving 100 percent for 60 minutes.”

Nelson felt the Christmas break came at a good and bad time for the team. “We needed some time to clear our heads, but it was unfortunate timing because I thought we were playing some of the best hockey of our season even without some of our key members in the lineup.”

He believed the team was playing better in part because it was building confidence. “Three weeks ago we were a bit fragile,” he said. “Lately our work ethic has been excellent and our structure has been very good.”

Structure relates to the team’s game plan. For example, Nelson wants the team to be aggressive with its forecheck, restricting the opponent’s ability to move the puck out of its own zone and forcing turnovers.

“We want to be deliberate,” he said. “We don’t care if other teams pre-scout us. With video, there no longer are any secrets. So what it comes down to is your execution of your game plan. We do some things differently than other teams, and I think some of the players who are new to the team this year have adapted.”

In terms of structure, Nelson said he looks at a number of details. “It’s being on the right side of the puck, not cheating for offense, winning battles, creating traffic in front of the net or limiting turnovers,” he said. “Those are

the little things that comprise playing the right way.”

In contrast to the rest of their game, the Griffins’ power play and penalty kill have been fairly solid all year. “It’s not our special teams that have suffered.

It’s our 5-on-5 play that has struggled. Usually the opposite is the case,” he said.

Through the first half of the season, the Griffins had the fourth-best power play percentage out of the 30 AHL teams, scoring at a 20.8 percent clip. Meanwhile, the penalty kill was successful 84.5 percent of the time. “If we can finish in the Top 10 in both categories, we’ll have a great chance of making the playoffs,” Nelson said.

At least twice in Oklahoma City, Nelson had teams with records below .500 in January and rallied them into the playoffs, including 2013 when the Barons lost in seven games in the Western Conference Finals to the eventual Cup winners from Grand Rapids.

“I’ve been here before,” Nelson noted. “When we struggled at the start of my first season here, my former assistant general manager said, ‘Don’t sweat it Nellie. I’ve seen this script before. You’ll get them going.’ Hopefully that happens again.”

Nelson thought the Griffins’ recent success was a good sign. “There’s a good vibe right now,” he said. “I think our players got sick of losing. The truth is we had some players who were underperforming, statistically speaking, and it’s only a matter of time before they catch fire.”

One thing is certain. A team that is winning makes coaching a lot easier than a team that is struggling.

“When you’re not winning, it’s tougher,” he said.

“Do you lean on a player who is struggling or are you going to make matters worse? What do you do? Some players need a hug, other players need a kick in the butt. You have 25 different personalities, but you have to manage a team.

“What’s frustrating for a coach is watching someone who is playing the right way and working hard but not getting rewarded. For much of the first half, it seemed like we had to do twice as much to generate the same amount of offense as the opposing team.

“When a player becomes fragile, the group can be fragile. Confidence is a wonderful thing, but when you don’t have it, you start worrying that you’re never going to win again. So when it happens with a team that just lifted the Cup last June, you worry.”

That’s why Nelson breathed a sigh of relief when the Griffins beat Cleveland twice and then Milwaukee twice before ending a six-game winless streak against Rockford with an impressive 5-3 victory on Jan. 5 at Van Andel Arena.

“Nobody was feeling sorry for us,” he said. “If we keep plugging away and find that spark, we’ll be back on track. The message lately is that this is ‘go time.’

We’ve talked about needing a sense of urgency and how we need everyone to play to the best of their abilities. It’s time to start scraping our way into a playoff spot.

“We need to go on a good run, and I feel good about where we’re heading.”

2017-18 GRIFFINS COACHING AND TRAINING STAFF

Head Coach

Todd Nelson

Video Coach

Bill LeRoy

Assistant Coach

Ben Simon

Athletic Trainer

John Bernal

Assistant Coach

Assistant Coach

Goaltending Coach

Bruce Ramsay

Mike Knuble

Brian Mahoney-Wilson

Equipment Manager

Assistant Equipment Manager

Strength-Conditioning Coordinator

Brad Thompson

Andrew Stegehuis

Marcus Kinney

3 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

GRIFFINS ROCKFORD

JAN. 20, JAN. 27

SCOUTING REPORT

• The Jan. 20 game serves as a lead-in to the 2018 Great Skate Winterfest, which will run for 34 consecutive hours at Rosa Parks Circle from Sat., Jan. 20 at noon through Sun., Jan. 21 at 10 p.m. Everyone is invited to join this celebration of winter in our city and help the Griffins Youth Foundation provide opportunities for more than 350 deserving kids – many of whom are underprivileged, underserved, at-risk or have other special needs – to participate in the great sport of hockey at no cost.

• The Griffins will give away replica championship rings on Jan. 27. While the imitation rings are impressive, the actual jewelry is 37 DWT (i.e. ring weight), contains 132 individual stones and is displayed in a glass-top case.

• With 36 points in its first 30 games this season, Rockford was well on its way to surpassing last season’s Central Division-worst 62 points.

• Through the first 30 games of the season, Manitoba racked up 22 wins and 47 points, both league highs.

MANITOBA MOOSE

MANITOBA

FEB. 7

PRIMARY MARK

• In three home games against the Moose this season, Turner Elson leads the Griffins with six points (2-4—6).

• Defenseman Dylan McIlrath hails from Winnipeg. Acquired by the Red Wings from Florida in a trade for Thomas Vanek last March, McIlrath played a key role in the Griffins’ championship run last spring, skating in all 19 postseason games and tallying five assists and 25 PIM.

4 PANTONE 282 C

PANTONE 2945 C

PANTONE COOL GRAY 11

PANTONE 429 C

WHITE

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions 2015-16

NG RT

SAN ANTONIO

• First-year Griffin Turner Elson, who was limited to 13 games due to injury last season while with the Rampage, posted a “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” in his first game against his former team on Nov. 8 at Van Andel Arena.

FEB. 9

• When San Antonio makes its second and final visit of the season to West Michigan on Feb. 9, Grand Rapids will be seeking its fourth straight victory on home ice and seventh consecutive win overall against its Pacific Division counterpart.

• The Griffins’ game on Feb. 9 against San Antonio snaps a streak of 28 straight games Grand Rapids played against Central Division rivals from Dec. 2-Feb. 7.

STOCKTON HEAT

STOCKTON

PRIMARY MARK

• Longtime Griffin Tom McCollum signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Calgary Flames in Oct. 2016. His lone appearance with the Heat came in a relief effort and he picked up the win while showing a 0.950 save percentage.

FEB. 10

• Turner Elson appeared in a total of 162 games with the Flames’ various AHL affiliates from 2011-16, including a 30-point season in 63 games with Stockton in 2015-16. The fifth-year pro logged an assist in his NHL debut with Calgary on April 9, 2016 at Minnesota.

PANTONE 186 C

PANTONE 110 C

PANTONE 425 C

PANTONE 142 C

• Feb. 10 marks Stockton’s second-ever appearance at Van Andel Arena. In the Heat’s inaugural visit on Jan. 28, 2017, Ben Street scored the game-winning goal with 2:51 remaining in regulation to give Grand Rapids a 2-1 victory.

PROCESS BLACK

CHICAGO

FEB. 21

WHITE

2015-16

• Feb. 21 is Chicago’s final trip of the season to The Van. Under third-year head coach Todd Nelson, the Griffins are 8-3-1-0 on home ice against the Wolves.

• Nelson earned his 100th victory as a Griffin with Grand Rapids’ 5-2 triumph at Chicago on Dec. 2. Nelson is the fifth coach in franchise history to tally 100 or more wins.

• Matt Lorito scored his first professional hat trick in this season’s first meeting between the teams on Oct. 27 at Van Andel Arena.

IOWA

FEB. 24, FEB. 25

• Grand Rapids has points in 11 of the last 12 meetings with Iowa at Van Andel Arena (10-1-0-1).

• The Griffins earned their first victory of the season against the Wild on Dec. 13, rallying from a 3-0 second period deficit to win 4-3 in a shootout.

• Grand Rapids won at Iowa in an eight-round shootout on Dec. 22. Eight rounds was the Griffins’ longest shootout since going 10 rounds versus Hamilton on April 5, 2014 at Van Andel Arena (2-1 SOW).

TUCSON

FEB. 28

• Tucson won the inaugural matchup between the teams on Oct. 25 by a 3-1 final, as the Roadrunners had 10 chances on the power play.

• Grand Rapids will make the return trip to Tucson Arena on April 6-7.

Grand Rapids last played in the Cactus State on March 5, 1997, against the International Hockey League’s Phoenix Roadrunners.

5 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

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Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

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Dear Griffins Fans, I’ve discovered that championships are a lot like children. Each one is special in its own way, and it would seem an impossible task to choose your favorite.

The Griffins’ fi st Calder Cup in 2013 will always hold a unique place in our hearts. After 17 seasons of your unwavering support, we washed away a threeyear playoff d ought and fi ally quenched Grand Rapids’ championship thirst by drinking from the fi st cup ever claimed by the city’s pro hockey team. Led by the likes of captain Jeff oggan and current Red Wings stars Tomas Tatar, Gustav Nyquist and Petr Mrazek, that scrappy squad took the hard way to the top, playing only two playoff g mes fewer than the maximum.

The band-of-brothers, us-against-the-world mentality of that team made the triumph over heavily favored Syracuse all that much sweeter. The fact that it was clinched on the road was appropriate but, at the same time, almost insignifi ant.

It didn’t matter where that cup was won; we just wanted to win it. And the immediate reward for our players, Jeff lashill and our other coaches was an intimate and unforgettable celebration during the fli ht home on the Red Wings’ plane that was truly deserved.

LETTER FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER — DAN DEVOS

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

But just when we thought nothing could top our fi st-born title, June 13, 2017 happened, the conclusion of a remarkable 15-4 rampage through the postseason, including a perfect 10-0 mark at home. For a city that has witnessed countless sports memories, I don’t think anything has ever surpassed the experience of that summer night in an overfl wing Van Andel Arena, being unable to hear yourself think and screaming at your lungs’ capacity as the fi al seconds ticked down. Evgeny Svechnikov channeled everyone’s unbridled enthusiasm, leaping over the boards in premature joy, uncontrollably anxious to begin the party on home ice.

And what a celebration it was! From the stands to the ice to the locker room, then out into the downtown streets and establishments late into that night – including a McDonald’s run that became the stuff f social media legend – and fi ally culminating a few days later with our championship parade and rally with thousands of you at Rosa Parks Circle, this second Calder Cup undoubtedly belonged to all of us in West Michigan. Truth be told, the experience of winning it at home far exceeded anything I ever imagined when we founded the franchise 22 years ago. So maybe I do have a favorite after all.

Well, a new season has quickly come upon us. Todd Nelson – now just the third man in AHL history to win the cup as a player, assistant coach and head coach – returns with his coaching staff nd much of last season’s roster intact, and we look forward to vigorously defending our title.

AME

Here’s to another opportunity to add to our growing “family.”

Sincerely,

Dan DeVos Chief Executive Offic Grand Rapids Griffins 10 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

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2017 - 2018 SEASON

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Dear Fans, It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2017-18 American Hockey League season, the continuation of a tradition of excellence that spans more than eight decades.

n Wings’

17 ason, ess of ar ked ing on

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT —— DAVID A. ANDREWS PRESIDENT & CEO, AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

The AHL remains proud of its role in developing more than 88 percent of today’s National Hockey League players, as well as the vast majority of the NHL’s coaches, general managers, training staffs, broadcasters and officials. Last year, we cheered on players like Jake Guentzel, Zach Werenski and William Nylander and as they graduated from the AHL and made remarkable impressions on the NHL. Since 1936, our loyal and passionate fans have been able to watch more than 100 future Hockey Hall of Famers as well as over 100 Calder Cup champions who now have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup as well.

As we begin our 82nd season in 30 cities across North America, we welcome our new fans in Laval and Belleville and wish all of you who cheer for our clubs the best for another exciting season.

On behalf of all of our teams, players and staff, thank you for your continuing support of the AHL. Sincerely,

TheAHL.com

DAVID A. ANDREWS PRESIDENT & CEO | AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE 11 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

BY THE NUMBERS

88%

A TRADITION OF

Percentage of all NHL players in 2016-17 who were graduates of the AHL

867

Former AHL players who skated in the NHL last season

THE BEGINNINGS Marking its 82nd season of play in 2017-18, the American Hockey League is continuing a tradition of excellence that began in 1936 when the Canadian-American Hockey League merged with the International Hockey League to form what is today known as the AHL. Eight teams hit the ice that first season, playing in Buffalo, Cleveland, New

Haven, Philadelphia,

81st championship

Pittsburgh,

was captured by

Providence,

the Grand Rapids

Springfield and

Griffins last spring.

Syracuse.

From those roots, Frank Calder, the

the American Hockey

National Hockey

League has grown into

League’s president

a 30-team league that

at the time, was

provides fans with

instrumental in the

exciting, high-level

forming of this new

professional hockey

league, and his name

while preparing

would be given to its

thousands of players,

championship

coaches, officials,

trophy. The first

executives, trainers,

Calder Cup was

broadcasters and more

won by the Syracuse

for careers in the NHL.

Stars in 1937; the

353

AHL players who also played in the NHL in 2016-17

237

Former 1st- and 2ndround NHL draft picks who skated in the AHL in 2016-17

23

AHL alumni who played for the 2017 Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins

F R O M L E F T T O R I G H T : B R A D E N H O LT B Y, S H E A W E B E R , R Y A N M C D O N A G H , J A K E G U E N T Z E L , N A Z E M K A D R I

THE PLAYERS

THE LEGENDS

THE COACHES

In today’s National

For the past eight

At the start of the 2017-18 season, the National Hockey

Hockey League more

decades, the American

League featured 23 head coaches who were former

than 88 percent of

Hockey League has

AHL bench bosses, including two-time Stanley Cup

the players are AHL

been home to some of

alumni, including 2017

the greatest players in

Norris Trophy recipient

the history of our sport.

Brent Burns of the

In fact, more than 100

San Jose Sharks and

honored members

Selke Trophy winner

of the Hockey Hall

Blashill, Minnesota’s Bruce Boudreau, Toronto’s

Patrice Bergeron of the

of Fame have been

Mike Babcock and 2017 Jack Adams Award winner

Boston Bruins. The 2017

affiliated with the AHL

John Tortorella of Columbus also spent time in the

Stanley Cup champion

during their careers.

AHL before making the jump.

Pittsburgh Penguins

All-time greats like

were stocked with

George Armstrong, Toe

AHL graduates again,

Blake, Gump Worsley,

among them 2015 AHL

Terry Sawchuk, Glenn

Rookie of the Year Matt

Hall, Brad Park, Ken

Murray and 2017 AHL

Dryden, and Brett

All-Rookie forward Jake

Hull came through

Guentzel.

the AHL ranks and

winner Mike Sullivan, 2016 Calder Cup champion Jared Bednar and 2015 Calder Cup finalist Travis Green, who was promoted by the Vancouver Canucks from Utica. Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper, Detroit’s Jeff

now find themselves During the 2016-17

enshrined in Toronto,

season, a total of 867

and the coveted Calder

AHL alumni played in

Cup is inscribed with

the National Hockey

the names of legendary

League. There were 353

AHL alumni like Patrick

players who skated in

Roy, Larry Robinson,

both leagues last year

Gerry Cheevers, Andy

alone, including Pontus

Bathgate, Tim Horton,

Aberg and Frederick

Al Arbour, Emile

Gaudreau of the

Francis, Doug Harvey,

Western Conference

and Billy Smith.

champion Nashville Predators (Milwaukee Admirals).

In addition, nearly 240 former first- and second-round NHL draft picks developed their skills in the AHL last season, including Jesse Puljujarvi, Alex Nylander, Kyle Connor, Jake DeBrusk, Alex Tuch and Josh HoSang.

“ I WISH EVERY PLAYER COULD PLAY IN THE AHL...

I WOULDN’T TRADE IT FOR THE WORLD.” - P. K . S U B B A N N A S H V I L L E P R E D AT O R S

T YLER BERTUZZI // 2017 CALDER CUP MVP

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2017-18 AHL DIRECTORY EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION: Bridgeport, Charlotte, Hartford, Hershey, Lehigh Valley, Providence, Springfiel , Wilkes-Barre/Scranton NORTH DIVISION: Belleville, Binghamton, Laval, Rochester, Syracuse, Toronto, Utica

BELLEVILLE SENATORS

NHL AFFILIATION: Ottawa Senators HOME ICE: Yardmen Arena (4,500) GENERAL MANAGER: Randy Lee HEAD COACH: Kurt Kleinendorst ENTERED AHL: 2017-18 WEBSITE: bellevillesens.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Washington Capitals HOME ICE: Giant Center (10,500) GENERAL MANAGER: Bryan Helmer HEAD COACH: Troy Mann ENTERED AHL: 1938-39 CALDER CUPS: 11 (1947, 1958, 1959, 1969, 1974, 1980, 1988, 1997, 2006, 2009, 2010) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 67 of 79 2016-17 RECORD: 43-22-8-3, 97 pts./0.638 WEBSITE: hersheybears.com

LAVAL ROCKET

BINGHAMTON DEVILS

NHL AFFILIATION: New Jersey Devils HOME ICE: Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena (4,696) GENERAL MANAGER: Tom Fitzgerald HEAD COACH: Rick Kowalsky ENTERED AHL: 2006-07 (as Lowell Devils) CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 4 of 11 2016-17 RECORD: 39-32-2-3, 83 pts./0.546 WEBSITE: binghamtondevils.com

BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS

NHL AFFILIATION: New York Islanders HOME ICE: Webster Bank Arena (8,412) GENERAL MANAGER: Garth Snow HEAD COACH: Brent Thompson ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 8 of 16 2016-17 RECORD: 44-28-3-1, 92 pts./0.605 WEBSITE: soundtigers.com

CHARLOTTE CHECKERS

NHL AFFILIATION: Carolina Hurricanes HOME ICE: Bojangles’ Coliseum (8,300) GENERAL MANAGER: Derek Wilkinson HEAD COACH: Mike Vellucci ENTERED AHL: 2010-11 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 3 of 7 2016-17 RECORD: 39-29-7-1, 86 pts./0.566 WEBSITE: gocheckers.com

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

HERSHEY BEARS

NHL AFFILIATION: New York Rangers HOME ICE: XL Center (15,635) GENERAL MANAGER: Chris Drury HEAD COACH: Keith McCambridge ENTERED AHL: 1997-98 CALDER CUPS: One (2000) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 15 of 20 2016-17 RECORD: 24-46-4-2, 54 pts./0.355 WEBSITE: hartfordwolfpack.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Montreal Canadiens HOME ICE: Place Bell (10,062) GENERAL MANAGER: Larry Carriere HEAD COACH: Sylvain Lefebrve ENTERED AHL: 2017-18 WEBSITE: rocketlaval.com

LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS

NHL AFFILIATION: Philadelphia Flyers HOME ICE: PPL Center (8,420) GENERAL MANAGER: Barry Hanrahan HEAD COACH: Scott Gordon ENTERED AHL: 1996-97 (as Philadelphia Phantoms) CALDER CUPS: Two (1998, 2005) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 11 of 21 2016-17 RECORD: 48-23-5-0, 101 pts./0.664 WEBSITE: phantomshockey.com

PROVIDENCE BRUINS

NHL AFFILIATION: Boston Bruins HOME ICE: Dunkin’Donuts Center Providence (11,075) GENERAL MANAGER: John Ferguson HEAD COACH: Jay Leach ENTERED AHL: 1992-93 CALDER CUPS: One (1999) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 20 of 25 2016-17 RECORD: 43-23-6-4, 96 pts./0.632 WEBSITE: providencebruins.com

ROCHESTER AMERICANS

NHL AFFILIATION: Buffalo abres HOME ICE: Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial (10,662) GENERAL MANAGER: Randy Sexton HEAD COACH: Chris Taylor ENTERED AHL: 1956-57 CALDER CUPS: Six (1965, 1966, 1968, 1983, 1987, 1996) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 44 of 61 2016-17 RECORD: 32-41-0-3, 67 pts./0.441 WEBSITE: amerks.com

SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS

NHL AFFILIATION: Florida Panthers HOME ICE: MassMutual Center (6,793) GENERAL MANAGER: Eric Joyce HEAD COACH: Geordie Kinnear ENTERED AHL: 2016-17 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 0 of 1 2016-17 RECORD: 32-33-9-2, 75 pts./0.493 WEBSITE: springfieldthunde birds.com

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

15

2017-18 AHL DIRECTORY SYRACUSE CRUNCH

UTICA COMETS

TORONTO MARLIES

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

NHL AFFILIATION: Tampa Bay Lightning HOME ICE: War Memorial Arena (6,010) GENERAL MANAGER: Julien BriseBois HEAD COACH: Benoit Groulx ENTERED AHL: 1994-95 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 13 of 23 2016-17 RECORD: 38-24-7-7, 90 pts./0.592 WEBSITE: syracusecrunch.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Vancouver Canucks HOME ICE: Utica Memorial Auditorium (3,917) GENERAL MANAGER: Ryan Johnson HEAD COACH: Trent Cull ENTERED AHL: 2013-14 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 2 of 4 2016-17 RECORD: 35-32-7-2, 79 pts./0.520 WEBSITE: uticacomets.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Toronto Maple Leafs HOME ICE: Ricoh Coliseum (7,851) GENERAL MANAGER: Kyle Dubas HEAD COACH: Sheldon Keefe ENTERED AHL: 2005-06 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 9 of 12 2016-17 RECORD: 42-29-4-1, 89 pts./0.586 WEBSITE: marlies.ca

NHL AFFILIATION: Pittsburgh Penguins HOME ICE: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza (8,050) GENERAL MANAGER: Bill Guerin HEAD COACH: Clark Donatelli ENTERED AHL: 1999-00 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 16 of 18 2016-17 RECORD: 51-20-3-2, 107 pts./0.704 WEBSITE: wbspenguins.com

WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION: Grand Rapids, Chicago, Cleveland, Iowa, GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS Manitoba, Milwaukee, Rockford NHL AFFILIATION: Detroit Red Wings BAKERSFIELD CONDORS ICE: Van Andel Arena (10,834) PACIFIC DIVISION: Bakersfiel , Ontario, San Antonio, San Diego, PRIMARYHOME MARK GENERAL MANAGER: Ryan Martin San Jose, Stockton, Texas, Tucson HEAD COACH: Todd Nelson ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 BAKERSFIELD CONDORS CALDER CUPS: Two (2013, 2017) NHL AFFILIATION: Edmonton Oilers SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 11 of 16 HOME ICE: Rabobank Arena (8,751) 2016-17 RECORD: 47-23-1-5, 100 pts./0.658 GENERAL MANAGER: TBD WEBSITE: griffinshock .com HEAD COACH: Gerry Fleming

ENTERED AHL: 2015-16 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 0 of 2 2016-17 RECORD: 33-29-5-1, 72 pts./0.529 WEBSITE: bakersfield ondors.com

CHICAGO WOLVES

PANTONE 281 C

NHL AFFILIATION: Vegas Golden Knights HOME ICE: Allstate Arena (16,692) GENERAL MANAGER: Wendell Young HEAD COACH: Rocky Thompson ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALDER CUPS: Two (2002, 2008) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 11 of 16 2016-17 RECORD: 44-19-8-5, 101 pts./0.664 WEBSITE: chicagowolves.com

CLEVELAND MONSTERS

IOWA WILD

PANTONE 172 C

PANTONE 429 C

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NHL AFFILIATION: Minnesota Wild HOME ICE: Wells Fargo Arena (8,356) GENERAL MANAGER: Brent Flahr HEAD COACH: Derek Lalonde ENTERED AHL: 2013-14 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 0 of 4 2016-17 RECORD: 36-31-7-2, 81 pts./0.533 WEBSITE: iowawild.com 2015-16

MANITOBA MOOSE PRIMARY MARK

MANITOBA MOOSE

NHL AFFILIATION: Winnipeg Jets HOME ICE: Bell MTS Place (8,812) GENERAL MANAGER: Craig Heisinger HEAD COACH: Pascal Vincent ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 (played through 2010-11; re-entered 2015-16) CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 9 of 12 2016-17 RECORD: 29-37-5-5, 68 pts./0.447 WEBSITE: moosehockey.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Columbus Blue Jackets HOME ICE: Quicken Loans Arena (19,665/10,025 lower bowl) GENERAL MANAGER: Bill Zito HEAD COACH: John Madden ENTERED AHL: 2007-08 (as Lake Erie Monsters) CALDER CUPS: One (2016) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 2 of 10 2016-17 RECORD: 39-29-4-4, 86 pts./0.566 WEBSITE: clevelandmonsters.com Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

PANTONE 282 C

PANTONE 2945 C

PANTONE COOL GRAY 11

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MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS

2017-18 AHL DIRECTORY PRIMARY MARK

CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 2 of 2 2016-17 RECORD: 43-20-3-2, 91 pts./0.669 WEBSITE: sandiegogulls.com

MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS

NHL AFFILIATION: Nashville Predators HOME ICE: UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena (9,450) GENERAL MANAGER: Paul Fenton HEAD COACH: Dean Evason ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALDER CUPS: One (2004) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 14 of 16 2016-17 RECORD: 43-26-4-3, 93 pts./0.612 WEBSITE: milwaukeeadmirals.com

PANTONE 282 C

PANTONE 429 C

SAN JOSE BARRACUDA

HOME ICE: SAP Center at San Jose (6,123, curtained) GENERAL MANAGER: Joe Will HEAD COACH: Roy Sommer ENTERED AHL: 2015-16 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 2 of 2 2016-17 RECORD: 43-16-4-5, 95 pts./0.699 WEBSITE: sjbarracuda.com

PRIMARY MARK

PANTONE 292 C

PANTONE COOL GRAY 4 C

2015-16

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NHL AFFILIATION: Calgary Flames HOME ICE: Stockton Arena (6,705) GENERAL MANAGER: Brad Pascall HEAD COACH: Ryan Huska ENTERED AHL: 2015-16 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 1 of 2 2016-17 RECORD: 34-25-7-2, 77 pts./0.566 WEBSITE: stocktonheat.com

PANTONE 429 C

PANTONE 152 C

STOCKTON HEAT

PROCESS BLACK

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PRIMARY MARK

2015-16

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PROCESS BLACK

NHL AFFILIATION: Chicago Blackhawks HOME ICE: BMO Harris Bank Center (5,895) GENERAL MANAGER: Mark Bernard HEAD COACH: Jeremy Colliton ENTERED AHL: 2007-08 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 5 of 10 2016-17 RECORD: 25-39-9-3, 62 pts./0.408 WEBSITE: icehogs.com

TEXAS STARS PRIMARY MARK PANTONE 186 C

PANTONE 110 C

PANTONE 3425 C

METALLIC SILVER 877

PANTONE 425 C

PANTONE 142 C

PROCESS BLACK

TEXAS STARS

NHL AFFILIATION: Dallas Stars HOME ICE: H-E-B Center at Cedar Park (6,863) GENERAL MANAGER: Scott White HEAD COACH: Derek Laxdal ENTERED AHL: 2009-10 CALDER CUPS: One (2014) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 6 of 8 2016-17 RECORD: 34-37-1-4, 73 pts./0.480 WEBSITE: texasstars.com

SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE

NHL AFFILIATION: Colorado Avalanche HOME ICE: AT&T Center (6,374, lower bowl) GENERAL MANAGER: Craig Billington HEAD COACH: Eric Veilleux ENTERED AHL: 2002-03 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 4 of 15 2016-17 RECORD: 27-42-5-2, 61 pts./0.401 WEBSITE: sarampage.com

PRIMARY MARK

PANTONE 3155 C

STOCKTON HEAT

ROCKFORD ICEHOGS

MANITOBA MOOSE

PRIMARY MARK

NHL AFFILIATION: San Jose Sharks ONTARIO REIGN

ONTARIO REIGN

NHL AFFILIATION: Los Angeles Kings HOME ICE: Citizens Business Bank Arena (9,491) GENERAL MANAGER: Michael Futa HEAD COACH: Mike Stothers ENTERED AHL: 2015-16 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 2 of 2 2016-17 RECORD: 36-21-10-1, 83 pts./0.610 WEBSITE: ontarioreign.com

SAN JOSE BARRACUDA

PANTONE 877 C

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TUCSON ROADRUNNERS

AFFILIATION: Arizona Coyotes SAN DIEGO NHL GULLS

HOME ICE: Tucson Arena (6,521) GENERAL MANAGER: Steve Sullivan HEAD COACH: Mike Van Ryn ENTERED AHL: 2016-17 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 0 of 1 2016-17 RECORD: 29-31-8-0, 66 pts./0.485 WEBSITE: tucsonroadrunners.com

PRIMARY MARK

SAN DIEGO GULLS

NHL AFFILIATION: Anaheim Ducks HOME ICE: Valley View Casino Center (12,920) GENERAL MANAGER: Bob Ferguson HEAD COACH: Dallas Eakins ENTERED AHL: 2015-16

THE ROAD TO THE CALDER CUP PANTONE 1655 C

PANTONE MEDIUM BLUE C

PANTONE 5455 C

PROCESS BLACK

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2015-16

Eight teams in each conference will qualify for the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs.

WHITE

2015-16

The top four teams in each division, ranked by points percentage (points earned divided by points available), will qualify for the postseason.

The division semifinals will be best-of-five series, with the first-place team playing the fourth-place team and the second-place team facing the third-place team. The division final , conference finals and alder Cup Finals will be best-of-seven series.

17 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

WHITE

WE’RE PROUD TO CHEER FOR THE HOME TEAM. AND EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTS THEM.

D

Huntington congratulates the Grand Rapids Griffins on winning the 2017 Calder Cup. With hard work and commitment, you reached your goals.

GR EA

® The Huntington National Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. and Huntington® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. Huntington. Welcome.TM is a service mark of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. ©2017 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.

Justin A Adam A Joakim Andrea Sean Av Ryan Ba Tyler Be Patrick Darryl B Fabian Mitch C Ty Conk Chris Co Jared Co Danny D Aaron D Patrick Matt El Cory Em Jonatha Landon Valtteri Martin Luke Gl Mark H Darren

* not inclu (2008-09)

registered Bancshares

DETROIT RED WINGS

Photo: Dave Reginek

THIRTY-ONE

of the 36 players who skated for the Red Wings in 2016-17 spent time in Grand Rapids at some point during their careers, including (L-R) Dylan Larkin, Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Xavier Ouellet, and Nick Jensen, who himself was one of seven Griffin who made their NHL debuts with Detroit last season. That I-96 pipeline will continue fl wing east until at least 2022 thanks to last summer’s fi e-year extension of the Griffins ed Wings affil tion.

GRIFFINS WHO HAVE * EARNED THEIR WINGS Justin Abdelkader, 2008-09 Adam Almquist, 2013-14 Joakim Andersson, 2011-12 Andreas Athanasiou, 2015-16 Sean Avery, 2002-03 Ryan Barnes, 2003-04 Tyler Bertuzzi, 2016-17 Patrick Boileau, 2002-03 Darryl Bootland, 2003-04 Fabian Brunnstrom, 2011-12 Mitch Callahan, 2013-14 Ty Conklin, 2011-12 Chris Conner, 2011-12 Jared Coreau, 2016-17 Danny DeKeyser, 2013-14 Aaron Downey, 2008-09 Patrick Eaves, 2013-14 Matt Ellis, 2006-07 Cory Emmerton, 2010-11 Jonathan Ericsson, 2007-08 Landon Ferraro, 2013-14 Valtteri Filppula, 2005-06 Martin Frk, 2017-18 Luke Glendening, 2013-14 Mark Hartigan, 2007-08 Darren Helm, 2007-08

Jimmy Howard, 2005-06 Jiri Hudler, 2003-04 Matt Hussey, 2006-07 Doug Janik, 2009-10 Nick Jensen, 2016-17 Tomas Jurco, 2013-14 Jakub Kindl, 2009-10 Tomas Kopecky, 2005-06 Niklas Kronwall, 2003-04 Marc Lamothe, 2003-04 Josh Langfeld, 2006-07 Dylan Larkin, 2015-16 Brian Lashoff, 2012-1 Brett Lebda, 2005-06 Ville Leino, 2008-09 Matt Lorito, 2016-17 Joey MacDonald, 2006-07 Donald MacLean, 2005-06 Anthony Mantha, 2015-16 Alexey Marchenko, 2013-14 Darren McCarty, 2007-08 Tom McCollum, 2010-11 Derek Meech, 2006-07 Drew Miller, 2016-17 Kevin Miller, 2003-04 Mark Mowers, 2003-04

Petr Mrazek, 2012-13 Jan Mursak, 2010-11 Anders Myrvold, 2003-04 Andrej Nestrasil, 2014-15 Kris Newbury, 2009-10 Tomas Nosek, 2015-16 Gustav Nyquist, 2011-12 Xavier Ouellet, 2013-14 Teemu Pulkkinen, 2013-14 Kyle Quincey, 2005-06 Dan Renouf, 2016-17 Mattias Ritola, 2007-08 Jamie Rivers, 2003-04 Nathan Robinson, 2003-04 Stacy Roest, 2002-03 Robbie Russo, 2016-17 Riley Sheahan, 2011-12 Brendan Smith, 2011-12 Ryan Sproul, 2013-14 Garrett Stafford, 2007-0 Ben Street, 2016-17 Evgeny Svechnikov, 2016-17 Eric Tangradi, 2015-16 Tomas Tatar, 2010-11 Jordin Tootoo, 2013-14 Jason Williams, 2002-03

* not including conditioning stints for Curtis Joseph (2003-04), Chris Osgood (2005-06), Manny Legace (2005-06), Chris Chelios (2008-09), Andreas Lilja (2009-10), Jonas Gustavsson (2012-13), Carlo Colaiacovo (2012-13) and Stephen Weiss (2014-15).

TOP AFFILIATE Grand Rapids Griffin 16th 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: Ken Holland Assistant General Manager: Ryan Martin COACHING STAFF Head Coach: Jeff Blashil Assistant Coaches: John Torchetti, Doug Houda, Pat Ferschweiler, Chris Chelios Asst. Coach/Video: Adam Nightingale Goaltending Coach: Jeff Salajk Strength & Conditioning Coach: Mike Kadar 19

M

20 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

FINS 2017-18NGALRSIF CHEDULE PROMOTIO

MARK YOUR CALENDAR JAN. 20 Social Media Night/Mini Calder Cup Giveaway presented by Comerica Bank

JAN. 20-21 15th Annual Great Skate Winterfest at Rosa Parks Circle, benefiting the riffin Youth Foundation

JAN. 27 Championship Replica Ring Giveaway presented by Adventure Credit Union

FEB. 24 Toy Night/Joe Hicketts Blockhead Giveaway presented by Chick-fil A

FEB. 25 Fourth Annual Bring Your Dog Game presented by Nestlé Purina

FEB. 9 Presented by Spectrum Health Heart and Vascular Care FEB. 10 Evgeny Svechnikov Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union/ Championship Celebration Jersey Auction

FEB. 25 MARCH 2 Seventh Annual Purple Community Game presented by Van Andel Institute/Purple Jersey Auction

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

21

MARCH 3 Star Wars Night presented

by DTE Energy

MARCH 17

MARCH 6 Seventh Annual Hockey, Hops & Hope (formerly Corks, Pucks & Brews) at the Goei Center, benefiting asterseals Michigan

MARCH 16 Baseball Night/Whitecaps-Themed Jersey Auction

MARCH 28 Presented by Brain Injury Association of Michigan

MARCH 17 Brian Lashoff obblehead Giveaway presented by Michigan Office Solutions/Griffins ooster Club Silent Auction

MARCH 30 ‘90s Night presented by Spectrum Health Stroke Awareness APRIL 14 Season Finale presented by Huntington Bank/Friday Night Jersey Auction

APRIL 14

SEASON-LONG PROMOTIONS $2 Beers and $2 Hot Dogs: Every Friday, enjoy $2 domestic drafts and $2 hot dogs from 6-8 p.m., while supplies last.

Get in the D-ZONE: Every Friday night is a Griffin D-Zone night. Avoid the concession lines and get your $2 beers and $2 hot dogs served to you in your seats. Call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2 or visit griffinsho ey.com/dzone today to purchase a package of four or more D-Zone tickets for any Friday night game.

Military Nights: Every home game, current members of our military can purchase up to four Upper Level 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.

College Nights: Presented by Michigan First Credit Union, college students can show their ID at every Friday game to purchase an Upper Level Faceoff ticket for $13 (or $12 in advance at The Zone) or an Upper Level Center Ice ticket for $16 (or $15 in advance at The Zone). Limit one ticket per ID. Free Ride Friday on The Rapid: Ride the Rapid to and from any Friday game and enjoy a complimentary fare by showing your ticket to that night’s game. Visit ridetherapid.org for schedule information, routes and maps.

Winning Wednesdays: Presented by Farm Bureau Insurance, every time the Griffin win

at home on Wednesday, each fan in attendance will receive a free ticket to the next Wednesday game. To redeem a Winning Wednesday ticket, please visit the box office following the Winning Wednesday game, The Zone during normal business hours, or the Van Andel Arena box office prior to the next Wednesday game beginning at 5:30 p.m. Fans who exchange their Winning Wednesday ticket at The Zone on a non-game day will receive 20% off the purchase of one item (excluding jerseys). One discount per person present.

Post-Game Parties at Peppino’s: After every Wednesday game, join Griffin players and staff for the officia post-game party at Peppino’s Sports Grille downtown.

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, an Upper Level Center Ice ticket for $17, or a Lower Level Faceoff ticket for $20. Limit four tickets per card per person, subject to availability.

Friends & Family 4-Packs: Available for all Saturday games, each pack includes four tickets and $12 in concession cash for a great low price.

Visit griffinsho ey.com/f4p or call (616) 7744585 ext. 2. Continuing this season, fans may use their concession cash to purchase healthy

choice menu options at the stand located outside of section 125, including low-fat yogurt, apples, oranges, granola bars and smoothies.

Pepsi Reading Goals: Children with Griff’s Reading Goals bookmarks who have completed the required three hours of reading can redeem their bookmark for two free Upper Level Faceoff tickets to any of the following games: Feb. 7 and 25; March 14 and 28.

Post-Game Open Skates: Feb. 24, March 17 Huntington Bank Post-Game Autograph Sessions: Jan. 27, March 3 MOS Corner Offic Presented by Michigan Office Solutions, this section, located on the terrace level above section 118, provides the best seats in the house for groups of up to 30 people, with La-Z-Boy chairs and an array of unprecedented amenities. Call (616) 774-4585 ext. 4.

J. Gardella’s Sliders and Beer Special: Available on select tickets, take your used Griffi ticket to J. Gardella’s Tavern to enjoy two sliders and a beer for $5. Refer to the back of select tickets for details.

Win With Wendy’s!: When the Griffin win at home, show your ticket the next day at participating Wendy’s locations in West Michigan to receive a free small cup of chili.

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

22 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

Loc Hom Awa Ban Com

tion

m Health

ngton

IL 14

Local Family Owned & Operated Homemade Recipes Award-Winning Wine Cellar Banquets, Lounge, and Fine Dining Come see what’s new at Noto’s!

Opening Spring 2018 616-493-NOTO (6686) Noto’s at the Bil-Mar 6600 28th Street SE in Grand Haven!

Grand Rapids (in Cascade) ALL PROMOTIONS AND DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT GRIFFINSHOCKEY.COM. www.NotosOldWorld.com Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

23

A WINNING TEAM Photo

Detroit-based Better Made Snack Foods had been in the business of making potato chips for more than 80 years, but their presence in West Michigan was somewhat limited.

Four years ago, Better Made president Mark Winkelman was looking for an opportunity to raise the profile of his company’s product line in the Grand Rapids area, so he saw a chance to achieve his goal by enlisting the help of the local hockey team.

“The Griffins are so beloved by Grand Rapids, we felt we could really raise the consciousness of our product by becoming a sponsor,” he said.

“So we wanted to get our name in front of their fans, and of course snacks and sports go together incredibly well, so it’s a natural for us. We couldn’t be any happier with our partnership.”

Better Made is one of dozens of corporate sponsors who have discovered the benefits of a business joining the Griffins organization – a winning combination.

“We’re in the business of making our sponsors successful,” said Sean Wright, the Griffins’ vice president of corporate sales. “There are no guarantees in advertising, of course, but we put our best foot forward to promote their

goals and needs.”

The Griffins’ sales team focuses on a prospective client’s marketing strategy rather than selling an inventory of signage, promotional or ticketing options. “When we meet with a potential client, we don’t leave behind a brochure or canned proposal,” he said. “We ask questions and we listen.”

Wright said the purpose of the first meeting with clients is to determine their goals, which results in a Client’s Needs Analysis (CNA).

“We hope to walk away from that meeting with a better understanding of what they need, what has worked for them and what hasn’t,” he said. “Once we have a general concept of the client’s needs, we sit down as a group to formulate a plan with some options to help them successfully achieve their goals.”

The Griffins are able to offer an assortment of promotional options, from dasher board signage to social media to traditional marketing opportunities like radio commercials to Griffiti magazine ads. “Their custom-built package really depends upon what they need to achieve their goals,” Wright said. “Often it’s a mixture of options.”

24 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

organization partners with local businesses to help them reach their marketing goals.

“

“As a Michigan-based company, MOS is committed to supporting our community throughout the state, and we enjoy our partnership with the Grand Rapids Griffins, bringing the highest quality print services to Griffins fans, employees, media members and stakeholders at Van Andel Arena. It is exciting working with community events like the Grand Rapids Griffins/MOS Scribes Experience for aspiring sports journalists, as well as other events throughout the year.”

– Shelly Bernecker Vice President of Marketing Michigan Office Solutions (MOS)

Photo Credit: Sam Iannamico

Wright contends the Griffins are open to new ideas for marketing. “Our promotional list is a white board,” he said. “If a client comes to us with an idea, we’ll try to find a way to do it.”

For example, the Griffins created an Instagram promotion this season for The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.

The goal was to highlight dishes served at the downtown restaurant. Griffins defenseman Joe Hicketts visits The Kitchen once a month for the purpose of an Instagram post that gives fans the chance to “swipe up” to make a reservation.

“Social media is the one arena that interests a lot of clients,” Wright said. “We have many clients who find our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts highly desirable due to our large number of followers.”

Fox Motors sponsors a Facebook and Twitter contest that gives fans a chance to win VIP parking inside Van Andel Arena. Michigan First Credit Union maintains a strong presence on the Griffins’ social media platform, including the team’s Game Day Preview. United Dairy Industry of Michigan (“Milk Means More”) sponsors the Projected Lineups on Twitter.

“Businesses today want to be mobile,” Wright

“

G

The Griffins

said. “Social media is not only effective, but it’s fun to put together for our clients.”

Some tie-ins may seem obvious. Marge’s Donut Den is a small business that has found its “sweet spot” with the Griffins by sponsoring the Sweetheart of the Game promotion. Meijer’s “falling prices” was illustrated by parachute drops of redeemable coupons into the stands.

“I love getting our staff together to noodle out ideas that our client might like,” he said. “We have a lot of ways to address the needs of our prospective clients. It’s incumbent on our sales team to find the best fit with their plans.”

A number of sponsors get involved out of a desire to boost their community relations.

“We have a lot of sponsors who want to help raise money for a specific cause, whether’s it’s Uccello’s sponsoring Tip-A-Griffin to raise money for the Griffins Youth Foundation or Michigan Office Solutions doing a food drive for Kids’ Food Basket,” Wright said.

“We continue to increase the number of corporate sponsors by focusing on clients’ needs. Of course, having a winning team doesn’t hurt either.”

25

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

D E Y

Turgeon scored his first areer Calder Cup Playoff goal in ame 3 of the Finals against Syracuse.

26 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

Great

Story and photos by Mark Newman

Expectations

Dominic Turgeon is building a reputation as a strong, two-way center with solid defensive play, expert penalty killing skills and a newfound scoring touch.

Dominic Turgeon is no different than most players who come into the American Hockey League with the hope of improving their skills and someday earning a spot in the NHL. Chosen in the third round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, he joined the Griffins last season after four junior seasons with the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League.

He came to Grand Rapids with great expectations – perhaps greater than most players selected in his draft position, the 63rd overall pick – due, in no small part, to his name.

His father is Pierre Turgeon, who netted 515 goals during 19 seasons in the NHL, including a career-high 58 goals in 1992-93 with the New York Islanders.

Currently an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Kings, the elder Turgeon became a five-time all-star after being chosen first overall in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. A former captain of the Montreal Canadiens, Turgeon was also the recipient of the Lady Bing Memorial Trophy in 1993.

Being the offspring of a player with Hockey Hall of Fame credentials (despite 1,327 points in 1,294 NHL games, his father still awaits his HOF call), expectations can be unreasonably high for a young man seeking to build his own reputation.

For Dominic, however, being a Turgeon has definitely been a blessing, not a curse.

27 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

Turgeon was the Red Wings’ second selection in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, after first round pick Dylan Larkin.

28 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

“I’ve never felt pressure because of the University. His older sister, Liz, was a member name,” he said. “My dad obviously had a of the first U.S. Women’s Under-18 Hockey phenomenal career and did amazing things, Team to capture a gold medal. She was set to but for some reason it’s never really affected play at the University of Minnesota before she me. I knew I was a different player from was killed in a traffic accident in 2010. him and so I wanted to play the game the Her death was a terrible blow to the way I could.”

Turgeon family, including twin sister Alex.

He started playing hockey at age four, “It was devastating,” he said. “She was 18 settling into the same position on the ice as and I was 14 at the time. It didn’t seem real. his father. “I learned a lot from my dad,” he Those first couple of years (after she died) said. “He was a center, so he taught me a lot were really rough, especially on my mother. of tricks growing up. As a kid, I learned so We were a close family, but it brought us that much from him and I much closer.” worked hard to become “As you grow older, things get more Turgeon said he is better at it.” thankful for the time Being around his serious, and that’s where my dad that he was able to father’s teammates had spend with Liz before an enormous influence was good about letting me know it her passing. To this on young Dominic. day, he still feels her While he was growing was time to start doing things like presence. ”Obviously, up, his father played I’m sad that she’s away, five seasons in St. but I definitely feel like training in the summer.”

Louis, three more in every time I’m on the Dallas and, lastly, two ice that she’s with me.” in Colorado.

Two years after his sister’s death, Turgeon “I remember going with him to morning headed to Portland, Ore., where he would skates and practices,” he said. “It was a ton blossom with the Winterhawks major junior of fun as a child. It was cool to go into the team over the course of four WHL seasons. locker room at a young age and see guys like “As a 16-year-old, I didn’t play much Bill Guerin (in Dallas) and Ian Laperriere because we had a really good team,” he (in Colorado). The way they treated me recalled. “I got to play with a lot of good helped me to see that this was what I wanted players – Nic Petan, Seth Jones, Derrick to do with my life. I wanted to be a pro Pouliot and Matt Dumba – and just worked hockey player.” my way up. By my fourth year in juniors, I felt Watching his father play provided great comfortable and became a go-to guy.” joy. The hockey rink became his classroom His point totals improved every year, after school. “Even on school nights, I always increasing from 8 to 31 to 43 to 70 in his wanted to go,” he said. “After the games, I’d final season, when he tallied 36 goals and go home with him late. I was all about the 34 assists in 72 games. “It was partly from hockey life and I wanted to watch him play working at it, but also from getting more every chance I could get.” opportunity,” he said.

He accepted his father’s advice like a star Getting drafted by the Red Wings was pupil listens to a teacher. obviously a big thrill.

“Growing up, he taught me the little things “Since I was a little kid, I dreamed about about the game that you don’t really notice,” one day being drafted into the NHL,” he said. he said. “To this day, I think his advice “When the dream came true, I was happy to about certain situations on the ice and (what experience it with my family. I was thankful happens in) those little battles has helped me they were there because without them, it as I got older.” never would have been possible.”

He isn’t the only Turgeon to benefit from He credits his father’s tutelage with teaching his father’s mentoring. He has a younger sister, him the things he needed to know. “When Val, who currently plays hockey at Harvard you’re younger, you’re just playing the game 29 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

MEETING THE EXPECTATIONS YOU NEVER KNEW YOU HAD.

616.531.1900 | bhsins.com

Turgeon chose his jersey number in honor of his late sister, who wore the same number when she played for Team USA.

and having fun,” he against Milwaukee, said. “As you grow when they traded the “We like to be aggressive up ice, older, things get more puck back-and-forth serious, and that’s while power play guys love to hold below the Admirals’ where my dad was goal line for 40 seconds. good about letting “I thought we had onto the puck and make plays. me know it was chemistry from the time to start doing start and we were If we can make their lives things like training in able to build on it,” the summer.”

Turgeon said. “When miserable, we’re doing our job.”

His adjustment to you know where each pro hockey last season other is going to be, it was rather uneventful. “With this team, I makes the game that much easier. He’s a great got comfortable pretty fast,” he said. “It took player and he works really hard, so it’s great a couple of games to get more comfortable playing with him.” and to adjust to the pace and speed of the Turgeon said their rapport happened rather game, but as the year went on, I think I naturally. “The more you play with someone, adjusted well.” the more you build chemistry,” he said. “We By mid-season, Turgeon was establishing like to be aggressive up ice, while power play himself as one of the team’s top penalty killers. guys love to hold onto the puck and make By the time of the Calder Cup Playoffs, he plays. If we can make their lives miserable, and teammate Colin Campbell had become a we’re doing our job.” dynamic duo in terms of creating havoc when This season, Turgeon has developed his the other team had the man-advantage. scoring touch. Before the season had even One of their most memorable penalty kills reached its midpoint, he already had exceeded came during Game 2 of the opening round his rookie year’s totals for goals, assists and 31 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

points. He recorded eight goals and 13 assists in the Griffins’ first 34 games.

“Confidence in a hockey player is huge, and last year definitely helped build my confidence,” Turgeon said. “The biggest thing for me is experience. Obviously the playoff run and winning the Cup helped a ton, so I came into this season knowing what to expect. I wanted to expand my role.”

Griffins head coach Todd Nelson was happy to oblige.

“Dominic has developed quicker than we thought he would,” Nelson said. “Last year he went from being in and out of the lineup to being one of our mainstays the rest of the year. He’s a hard worker and he does a great job on the penalty kill.”

Nelson has not been surprised at the frequency that Turgeon’s line has found the back of the net this season. “That’s a byproduct of his hard work,” he said. “When

he’s getting chances, he’s finishing and scoring goals. That’s great to see.”

Turgeon, who won’t turn 22 until Feb. 25, knows he still has much to learn. “As a player, I think my quickness is something I can improve,” he said. “I’d like to be more explosive those first three steps. I also want to continue to improve my defensive game, but I’d like to use my body more and take more pucks to the net, and shoot more, too.”

He’s getting more prime minutes this season and he’s doing what he can to make the most of his opportunities. Even if he never becomes a prolific scorer in the mold of his father, his defensive play will likely always be his greatest strength.

“I feel like coach trusts me more and that’s a big thing for me,” he said. “I’m playing the best I can with the minutes I’m getting. I’m going to take great pride in that.”

Turgeon has tallied a pair of goals twice this season, against San Jose on Oct. 13 and Cleveland on Dec. 30.

33 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

Elkins’ hockey idols as a youth were Steve Yzerman and Sergei Fedorov.

Michigan native Corey Elkins is happy to have returned to his home state, playing for the Red Wings organization that he loved as a boy.

BACK WHERE HE BEL NGS Story and photos by Mark Newman

34

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

E

man

Corey Elkins grew up surrounded by Detroit Red Wings memorabilia. Born and raised on the east side of Michigan, he loved everything with the Winged Wheel logo.

As a boy, he attended more games than he could count.

He remembers once attending a hockey school headlined by Steve Yzerman and Shawn Burr, and so it was a thrill to dream about one day pulling on a jersey with the red and white colors. Instead, he would settle for scarlet and gray.

Yes, the West Bloomfield native played for Ohio State University, donning the Buckeye colors from 2005 to 2009 before embarking on a pro career that has taken him across the country and halfway around the world.

Elkins might have considered going to the University of Michigan, but the Wolverines were waiting on a decision by the highly touted Phil Kessel (who ultimately chose the University of Minnesota). So he took one of his three official visits to Columbus and decided almost immediately that he had found the place where he would play his college hockey.

“I really liked the campus. In fact, I liked everything about the school,” he recalled. “I wanted to go someplace where I thought I would have a chance to play and do enough to become a pro. The deciding factor was that it was relatively close to home.”

He had spent the previous two years playing in St. Louis and Sioux City, Iowa.

He had started his junior hockey career in Michigan, playing for the Compuware Ambassadors of the North American Hockey League, but when that team disbanded, a subsequent dispersal draft sent him packing for the USHL. “It was a good learning experience to get away from home,” he said. “I really enjoyed living in Missouri, and Iowa was awesome, too. To this day, some of my best buddies played on those teams. It was a blast.”

At OSU, Elkins didn’t have the best of luck initially. He tore his ACL during his freshman year, and other injuries, including a broken elbow, hurt his progress. What made things even worse is that he’s a bit of a late bloomer.

“I’ve always been a later-maturing player, not only physically but also mentally in terms of

being confident and adjusting my game to a new level,” he said.

Known for his defensive play as a two-way center, Elkins played limited minutes at OSU until his senior season, when he played in all situations. “I was able to play a lot,” he said.

“At the end of the day, it all comes down to playing. It’s a matter of opportunity and just getting a chance.”

In 42 games with the Buckeyes in 200809, Elkins had a team-leading 41 points (18 goals, 23 assists). He shared the team lead with a plus-24. His offensive production as a senior was more than his previous three seasons combined.

A four-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten choice, Elkins joined the Los Angeles Kings organization after completing his bachelor’s degree in history a full semester early. He signed a one-year contract after finishing his senior season and joined the Manchester Monarchs for the start of the 2009-10 AHL campaign.

Elkins played well enough in Manchester that he earned a call-up to the Kings in December 2009. He made his NHL debut against the Edmonton Oilers in Alberta, then two days later scored his first (and only) NHL goal in Calgary.

Of course, lighting the lamp in the NHL is something he’ll never forget. “I had put the puck down low to Oscar Möller at the goal line and then I went back towards the net, where he hit me in the slot and I shot it low blocker-side on Miikka Kiprusoff,” he said.

“I got back on the bench and it was like, ‘Oh man, I just scored my first NHL goal.’ It was pretty cool, for sure.”

He played one more game, appearing in a contest in Phoenix the day after Christmas.

“I had a bad game, so I remember that game like it was yesterday,” he said. “It was the worst feeling in the world. You can’t shake it. On the flight back, you get called up to the front of the plane and you know what’s coming.

“Sometimes I feel like if things had gone a little differently, who knows what different path I might have taken?”

Instead, Elkins finished the 2009-10 season in Manchester, recording 21 goals and 22 assists in 73 games. He helped the Monarchs reach the Eastern Conference Finals of the 35

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

Elkins played the past four-plus seasons in Finland.

Calder Cup Playoffs and was looking forward to even better things the following year.

As fate would have it, he spent his entire second pro season in Manchester. He tallied 18 goals and 26 assists in 76 games but never saw any NHL action. “The following summer LA signed a bunch of free agents, so it seemed like maybe I didn’t fit into their plans,” he said.

At the age of 26, he decided to seek his fortunes elsewhere. He headed to the Czech Republic, where he played for the hockey club in Pardubice. “To be honest, it was a good opportunity financially and I was happy to have a new experience.”

One of the reasons that he chose the top Czech league was that his wife’s brother, Alex Foster, was also heading there to play for the team in Prague. Like his brother-in-law, Foster (son of former Red Wings forward Dwight Foster) had appeared in only three NHL games, having spent the majority of his pro career with the Toronto Marlies.

“The hockey in the Czech league was different,” Elkins said. “They play like a left

wing lock-style where the left winger ends up being the low man in the defensive zone. We had a really good team that season and ended up winning the championship, so it was a really cool year.”

Elkins tried returning to North America for the 2012-13 season, but things didn’t work out as he had hoped. After signing a free agent contract with Anaheim, he found himself playing sparingly for the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals, eventually being sent to the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets.

“The year started OK, then it spiraled out of control,” he said. “When they sent me down to Fort Wayne, it seemed like getting back to the AHL was ‘maybe, maybe not,’ so I made the decision to find a new situation. For the good of my career, I felt it was important to get games and keep progressing in terms of my play.”

The general manager of HIFK Helsinki in the Finnish Elite League had inquired about his services while Elkins was playing in Pardubice, so Elkins decided to pack his bags once again, this time for Scandinavia.

36 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

One season there suddenly turned into five.

Not every North American player adjusts to playing overseas, but Elkins found that the experience suited him and his family well. Elkins and his wife, Genevieve, have three daughters under the age of 5 – Leighton, Rowan and Finley – with a baby boy on the way.

“It depends on your mindset going into it,” he said. “You can’t expect things there to be like they are here. On many levels, they do things better and on many levels, they could make changes that would increase their professionalism.”

Elkins came to love Helsinki.

“For sure, it’s one of my favorite cities that I’ve ever been,” he said. “The food and the culture are amazing, and the people are very nice. It’s very family-friendly. No matter where you go, there’s always something for the kids.”

Like he did in the Czech Republic, Elkins had to adjust to a different style of hockey.

“Finland’s ice is not quite OIympic size, which makes a pretty big difference,” he said. “It’s only about five feet wider than U.S. ice, so it’s

just big enough that it changes the game.”

Being well-traveled has not necessarily made Elkins a better player, but he believes the experience has helped make him a more well-rounded person.

“I’m glad that I’ve had those experiences because it’s given me a different perspective on life,” he said. “A lot of people in America are living in a bubble, and I’ve been able to see other ways to exist that are good. I’m glad that my family has had that experience.”

Even so, he was itching to get back to playing hockey closer to his home, so he kept tabs on the Griffins’ roster with the hopes of returning to Michigan. “I was keeping an eye to see if there might be an opportunity for a veteran here,” he said. “It was definitely something I was thinking about.”

After discussions with Ryan Martin, the Red Wings’ assistant general manager who oversees the Griffins, Elkins was inked to a deal last May. He was thrilled beyond belief at the opportunity to play in the organization that had meant so much to him as a boy growing up.

Elkins has three NHL games to his credit, all with the Los Angeles Kings.

37 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

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The Griffins were happy to land a veteran like Elkins, although head coach Todd Nelson admits that the 6-foot-2, 220-pound center was a bit of an unknown quantity.

“Because he’s been in Europe the last few years, we didn’t know what we were going to get,” Nelson said. “We’ve learned that he’s a dependable, two-way center who is really strong on the puck. There’s a reason that his nickname is Moose.”

Elkins earned the moniker while playing overseas. Ville Peltonen, who is a Finnish legend with four Olympic medals (silver in 2006, bronze in 1994, 1998 and 2010), dubbed him “Moose” because Elkins is a bigger guy who plays a heavier style.

His physical style is one of the reasons that Nelson has warmed to his newest veteran. “He works the corners really well and he’s done a good job on the penalty kill, too,” Nelson said.

“He’s a veteran player who brings leadership to our locker room, so he’s fit in nicely.”

Elkins, who turns 33 in February, is still in peak condition due to his devotion to training. “I’m not the most skilled guy offensively, so I’ve tried to make sure I’ve been strong, fast and I can skate,” he said. “Those have been my focal points for my training during the off-season.”

It’s not a big surprise when Elkins says he would be a Navy SEAL if he could trade places for a day with another occupation.

“I’m impressed by their dedication to the elite training required, plus the fact that they’re a tight-knit team,” he said. “If hockey had been out of the picture for me, I think it’s something I might have gravitated to. Do I think I could have cut it? At one point in time, I’d like to think so, but I also realize that it’s a completely different world.”

For the present, he’s just pleased to be in Michigan, where he was able to celebrate the holidays with his extended family in the Detroit area. “It’s nice to be back home,” he said.

Prior to joining the Griffi , Elkins last played in the AHL for the Norfolk Admirals during the 2012-13 season.

39 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

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Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

Eric Tangradi has found that his time in Grand Rapids has given him renewed purpose and confidence.

42 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

Eric Tangradi’s head is hundreds of miles from where it was three or four years ago.

When he came to the Griffins in 2015, he felt he was at a career crossroads. Although his résumé included 143 NHL games, he was 26 years old and had been traded three times, and his mindset was not in the best place after six years of struggling to fully establish himself as a regular contributor in hockey’s top league.

Fast forward to now and Tangradi could hardly be happier, even as he longs for another chance in the NHL. He is now a father and a Calder Cup champion, and his confidence is back where it belongs as he moves forward.

Tangradi admits that he had no idea how much Grand Rapids would mean.

“When I first signed here, I didn’t know what to expect,” Tangradi said. “I had played on a lot of different teams, so I thought it would be a typical adventure. This city has opened my eyes, and I have a whole new respect for the state of Michigan and the people here.”

He was especially moved by the support of the city during the Griffins’ run to their second Calder Cup title in five seasons.

“The crowds and the support we enjoyed during our playoff run make it easy to talk about those memories,” he said. “There are not many

American Hockey League cities where players go to the grocery store and have fans wishing them ‘Good luck.’

“History shows that when the playoffs start, AHL teams have trouble getting fans in the stands, and it was the polar opposite here. We played some tough series. When we were flying to the West Coast to play San Jose, we needed a little bit of a boost after flying back, and it was incredible to come back and have eight or nine thousand fans cheering us on.

“The crowds were a huge advantage for us and it’ll be a memory for the rest of my life,” he said.

“I’ll never forget the way that the city and people rallied around the Griffins for 2-1/2 months.”

Winning the Cup was an unforgettable thrill.

“People who have won championships talk about the feeling and you don’t know what it’s like until you experience it,” he said. “Going through that playoff run was the most fun. In fact, fun is an understatement. It’s hard to put into words.

“We had 25 warriors in that room who would have done anything for each other. Sometimes you have doubt in your mind that your season could be ending, but there wasn’t one guy in that room at any point in the playoffs who was ready to go home. Every day just felt like an extension of the regular season. We knew if we played the

Tangradi is one of the Griffi ’ assistant captains.

43 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

Tangradi has seen action in 144 NHL games with Pittsburgh, Winnipeg, Montreal and Detroit.

right way, we expected to win.

“When we won it all, it was the greatest moment in my hockey career. It was unbelievable.”

It was the perfect ending to a year that had been filled with ups and downs for Tangradi.

His regular season was bookended with injuries.

Shortly after the season began, he missed a dozen games due to injury, then missed another eight games near the end of the campaign.

Being sidelined for the month of November 2016 turned out to be a blessing in disguise. He was injured shortly after the birth of his daughter, Kennedy, on Oct. 26.

“It’s unfortunate to get hurt anytime in hockey, but for it to be two days after the birth of my first child, I definitely think it was God’s plan for me to be home for a little bit and spend some quality time with the family.”

Like many expectant parents, Tangradi admits that he had been a bit naive about how much a new baby would change life for him and his wife Caitlyn.

“You think, ‘Yeah, sure, whatever.’ But when you have a child, it truly does change your life, and yet you never feel like you need a break because you’re seeing a little miracle every day,”

he said. “She’s someone we’re both very thankful for.”

Tangradi believes becoming a father has had a calming effect on his play.

“She’s probably been my best sports psychiatrist,” Tangradi said. “I used to be extremely hard on myself and put a ton of pressure on myself. In the past, I also had a hard time shutting hockey off. Now when the front door opens and I see her, it really helps putting closure on when I’m at work and when I’m at home.

“I think she’s been very beneficial for me.

When I get home from a road trip at 4 or 5 a.m., I’ll get up with her at 8 a.m. and she’s got this huge smile, yelling ‘Da-da,’ and it makes getting no sleep worth it. Since she’s been here, I think I’ve been able to take my game to the next level, and I think she’s been a huge part of it.”

Tangradi has not changed his style of play.

Thanks to his big body (6-foot-4, 230 pounds), he’s got the frame of the prototypical power forward, crashing into people in the style of his idols, Eric Lindros and Keith Primeau, whom he grew up watching in his hometown of Philadelphia.

44 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

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“Being able to manage that net-front area has been one of the strengths of my game since juniors,” he said. ”I take pride in creating havoc and moving people out of the way to make space for second-chance opportunities by my linemates. There are a lot of things that I try to do in that blue paint area.”

Tangradi’s grit shows younger players the importance of paying a price to score.

“That’s the game I have to play,” he said. “The moment I try to take shortcuts and don’t play that style, there won’t be a job for me because that’s how competitive this league is. It takes some bruising to score those dirty goals. I know it’s just something that comes with the territory.

“I feel like I score a lot of my goals late in the game because it’s a process of wearing the other guys out. If I finish a check on a guy five times in the first two periods, maybe he eventually looks over his shoulder and commits a turnover and it gives us an extra scoring chance.”

Of course, paying the price can exert a toll on one’s body.

“Since I turned about 25, my body has definitely felt a whole lot different in the morning

than it once did,” he said. “When you go to the front of the net and take a cross-check to the back, you’re probably going to feel it the next morning.”

Now in his third season with the Griffins, he feels sure that he has re-established his power forward credentials.

“Since I’ve been in this organization, I’ve been able to get my confidence back,” he said. “I think I’ve been able to establish myself as one of the top offensive players here, and I’ve done that by trying to play physical every night and be that power forward that might have been missing here. I think I’ve really rounded out my game and become a complete player.

“Obviously my dream is still to play in the NHL. Before coming here, I told myself that the reason I didn’t make it in the NHL was because I didn’t do something that made me stand out. So for me, being physical and providing a big body presence are things that I’ve tried to bring every night in Grand Rapids.”

When Tangradi signed a two-year extension after his first season in Grand Rapids, he relished the notion that he would be one of the veteran

Tangradi set a Griffins sing postseason record with 17 assists during the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs.

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players upon which the Griffins’ fortunes rested.

“I think my role on this team is leading by example but also by being vocal,” he said.

“Accountability is something every good team should have, and if you have other players’ respect they’re going to appreciate what you have to say.

“I’ve been through it all: top prospect with the Penguins… pressure… didn’t work out… traded multiple times… second chances… you name it. I think I have a wealth of knowledge that I can share with young players and even the older guys.”

“I play a very energetic, in-your-face style. For me to be mixing it up, talking, rah-rah, doing all those things to stay physically and mentally involved, all that just helps my game, and hopefully other guys can feed off my enthusiasm.”

Tangradi, who was named an assistant captain this season, is proud to be wearing an ‘A’ on his jersey every game. “Last year I may not have worn a letter every day, but I was still a big part of that leadership group,” he said. “It was nice to be rewarded with a letter this year.”

He looks forward to helping the Griffins earn a place in the playoffs this season and taking a run at another Calder Cup. In the meantime, he

is keeping his fingers crossed for another crack at the NHL. He played one game for the Red Wings during his first year in Grand Rapids.

“I honestly and truly believe that I can provide the Red Wings a type of game they might not have,” he said. “I’m going to do the best I can down here to be consistent and do the right things to get noticed by them in order to get another opportunity.

“I’ve been in Grand Rapids going on three years and I’ve only played one game in Detroit, but I’m going to keep grinding away and keep plugging in hopes of getting another chance.”

What happens after this season for Tangradi is anyone’s guess, but he’s not going to lose any sleep – thankfully, Kennedy now sleeps 12 hours through the night.

“I’d love to sign back with this organization,” he said. “At the same time, I know I can play in the NHL. I think I’ve done the right things to earn a chance to prove myself up there and see what happens.

“I know that my wife and I love Grand Rapids – we bought a house here. Who knows where my career will go from here? But we’ve talked about how we could see ourselves coming back here at some point. It’s a great city with great people.”

Tangradi scored a career-high 28 goals during his first season i Grand Rapids.

47 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

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48 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

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Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

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infoGRIFFics

The upcoming Olympic Winter Games, set for Feb. 8-25, 2018 in PyeongChang, South Korea, will be the first since 1994 without NHL players. Here is a look at Griffins players who’ve participated in the Olympics through2 the years and how their countries fared.

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Valtteri Filppula (2005-07) Jani Hurme (1999-00)

Good luck to our Griffins alumni!

UP CHA M

PIONS Joe Hic – GRAN ketts Axel H D RAPID olmstro Robbie S Filip H m Russo Belarus ro Dylan Sad Brian La nek Ben Str owy shoff Matt Lo eet EvgeCanada rito ny S Dylan M Eric Ta vechnikov ng Tomas cIlrath Nosek Domin radi ic Turg Nathan eon Jared P C Dan Re aetsch oreau nouf (G Cal HeFinland eter (G ) ) Eddie Pasqual e (G) Country

Erich Goldmann (1999-00)

Germany

Konstantin Shafranov (1999-00)

Kazakhstan

Aigars Cipruss (1996-97)

Latvia

Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (2009-10)

Norway

Pavol Demitra (1996-97)

Slovakia

GRIFFIN

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12th

Tomas Jurco (2012-14;15-17)

11th

Tomas Kopecky (2002-06)

11th

Rastislav Pavlikovsky (1999-01) Robert Petrovicky (1998-00) Tomas Tatar (2009-13)

Chad Billins (2012-13) Defenseman – USA

2014

11th

Jan Mursak (2006-07;08-13)

Slovenia

7th

Jonathan Ericsson (2006-09)

Sweden

Silver

Jonas Gustavsson (2012-13;14-15)

Silver

Niklas Kronwall (2003-06)

Silver

Stefan Liv (2006-07) Michael Nylander (2009-10) Gustav Nyquist (2010-14)

Silver

Mikael Samuelsson (2013-14)

Jim Paek (Asst. coach 2005-14) Head coach - South Korea

Julien Vauclair (2001-02)

Switzerland

Andrei Sryubko (1999-00)

Ukraine

Slava Butsayev (1999-01)

Unified Team

Chris Chelios (2008-09)

USA

Jimmy Howard (2005-09;16-17)

9th

4th

Mike Knuble (2012-13) Kevin Miller (1999-00;03-04) Travis Richards (1996-06) Chris Chelios (2008-09) Asst. coach – USA 50

Other rosters not available at press time.

David Roberts (2000-01)

Gold medalist

Par

Silver medalist

Par

Bronze medalist

Par

ill be a look mpics .

2014

2010

2006

2002

1998

1994

1992

1988

1984

9th Silver Gold Bronze 6th 8th 9th

12th

9th 8th

12th

9th

5th

13th

10th 4th

11th 11th

4th 13th 13th

10th

5th

5th

6th

11th 7th Silver Silver

5th

Silver

5th

Gold

5th

Gold

Silver Gold 9th

6th

11th 10th Gold

8th

Silver

6th

7th

4th 8th 7th 8th 8th

Participated before playing for the Griffins Participated while playing for the Griffins Participated after playing for the Griffins

Olympic years with NHL participation

51

ONE-WAY CONTRACT Hockey Ministries International strives to keep players on a straight and narrow path.

Being a professional hockey player is not the easiest way to make a living. Beyond the physical wear and tear on the body, there are mental challenges as well. Certainly it helps to know you have someone on your side.

As a representative of Hockey Ministries International (HMI) working with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Tom Mellema sees himself as a “life coach,” a spokesman in solid servitude for all that is good. Considering the sport, he is not so much an advocate for saintly behavior as he is for playing the game – on and off the ice – the right way.

“I try to be a help to the team whenever I can,” said Mellema, who has been the Griffins’ spiritual advisor for the past 12 years. “I’m not a hockey coach. That’s not my role.”

Mellema is not an ordained minister. He did not attend seminary nor did he study theology.

But he comes from a Christian family and attended Christian schools his whole life, so he was immersed in the Bible. And, most significantly, he loves the sport of hockey.

“I’ve been around hockey for 40 years,” he said. “I love the smell of the rink, the sound of the puck hitting the boards. I even played a little recreational hockey myself, although I was never any good.”

Mellema is, in fact, a former school teacher.

He taught science in Fruitport Community Schools for 30 years until he retired in 2000. His focus was earth science, drawing on his studies at Michigan State University, where he earned a 52

bachelor’s degree in conservation education and a master’s degree in fisheries biology.

So how did a middle school teacher get started in hockey ministries?

He began working part-time at the L.C. Walker Arena in 1965 while he was attending Muskegon Community College. “I learned how to swing a mop, set up and take down chairs and tables,” he said. “I did that for about two years, then they told me I had to learn how to drive the Zamboni.”

For the next 10 years, Mellema did the ice for hockey games on Friday and Saturday nights.

“Even after I went off to Michigan State, I’d come home on the weekends to work,” he said.

“Over time, I got to know some of the players.”

One of the players was goaltender Glenn “Chico” Resch, who played for the Muskegon Mohawks in 1971-72 and spent one season in the AHL and another in the CHL before a 13year NHL career that saw his name etched on the Stanley Cup twice as a member of the New York Islanders.

“I got to know Chico and we maintained a friendship,” Mellema said. “I even went to the Olympia one year, paid $9 for a ticket to sit behind the Islanders’ bench. There was no glass separating the bench from the stands in those days, so he brought out the mat and sat next to me the whole game.”

Resch became a Christian, got involved in Hockey Ministries and began running the organization’s camp in the Czech Republic.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

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“Several years passed by and he called me and asked if I could look after a Czech player by the name of Tomas Kapusta, who was going to play one year for the Muskegon Fury,” he said.

Mellema connected with Kapusta, who came with a five-year-old daughter and a wife who was expecting.

The men became so close that Mellema was chosen to be the godfather to Kapusta’s son, Sammy, when he was born. “He later invited me to visit him in the Czech Republic, which I did.”

That put Mellema back in touch with Resch, along with Don Liesemer Sr., one of

Resch’s Mohawk teammates, who started HMI in 1977. They encouraged Mellema to become involved with the organization, and Mellema started assisting Bill Houston, who was working with the Griffins at the time.

Eventually Mellema took over the chaplain duties.

When the team’s schedule permits, Mellema holds weekly nondenominational chapels for interested players. The interactive sessions provide players with a message, prayer time and an

Mellema is the chaplain for the Grand Rapids Griffi .

53 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

In addition to holding regular chapel meetings, Mellema will chat casually with players like Evgeny Svechnikov.

opportunity to talk about things that matter to them.

“My kids run the gamut from ones who are really solid (in the faith) to others who are curious – and that’s great. I’d love to have them all in chapel,” he said. “We laugh a lot. It’s not fire and brimstone. We’re not being sacrilegious, but we enjoy ourselves. I try to weave my message into how they can be better people while becoming better hockey players.”

Mellema often refers to the players as “kids.”

“I love them like they’re my nephews,” he said.

“If I ever saw a problem, I would take them aside and talk to them. I would rather have a player be angry at me than have God be angry at me for not doing my job.”

He uses Biblical principles to help players deal with challenges on and off the ice. Chapels are typically brief, practical and centered on a particular topic like attitude, balance or motivation. Recently, when the Griffins were struggling through a protracted losing streak, he brought up the subject of adversity.

“We talked about how to handle it when things don’t go our way in life,” he said. “You could see how some of them were struggling.

I told them to think about it like a charge card.

‘Just hand it to God and you go play,’ and that seemed to make sense to some of the guys.”

The emphasis is on sharing, not proselytizing.

“We talk,” Mellema said. “Guys have opinions and we welcome that. I take questions and prayer requests. They’ll ask for prayer for safe travel for their parents who are coming to visit. Or their grandmother who had a stroke, or an aunt with cancer, or a teammate who is undergoing surgery.

“I’ve even had a player one year ask if it was OK to pray for a sick dog and my response was, absolutely. They’re one of God’s creatures, too.”

When HMI started, the idea of bringing the gospel to rinks was rather novel. “In those days, hockey chapels were virtually unheard of,” he said. “Now the Professional Hockey Players Association has it written in their agreement that they’re allowed to have chapels. Even so, some teams still make it difficult.”

That is not the case in Grand Rapids.

“I know we’re not supposed to boast, but I talk about the Griffins whenever I attend chaplain conferences,” Mellema said. “I get phenomenal support here, from the owner on down to the guy who cleans the rink. I’m amazed at how good they are to me.”

54 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

He is also thankful for the support of his family. His wife Maryann has long given her blessing to his work. They have two children.

Their daughter, Elizabeth, is a counselor at Centennial Christian Counseling and their son, John, has taken over the operation of the family farm in Nunica. “We grow produce and sell it in our market,” he said.

His ministry is done on a volunteer basis. “I receive absolutely no pay and I tell the guys I’m worth it,” he chuckles. “It’s a labor of love and I feel very blessed to do this. Are there guys who could do this better than me? I’m sure there are a hundred of them, but I love what I do.”

Mellema said a growing number of hockey organizations have come to see the benefits of chapel because the program keeps the players on the straight and narrow. “We talk about their bodies being a temple of God,” he said. “So we tell them not to abuse it, whether it’s excess alcohol, steroids or other drugs. Teams like that players are hearing that message from us.”

He believes that the notion that a Christian message softens a player has been debunked over the years. The worry that a message of faith

might reduce a player’s aggressive nature has been replaced with the belief that the players actually become more competitive in their desire to use their God-given talents to the best of their ability.

“The lesson in chapel is if you’re playing within the rules, you’re good to go,” Mellema said. “If you lose your temper and smack somebody over the head with your stick, I’ll have a problem with that. But it’s your job to separate that guy from the puck. If you lay a check on him, that’s you doing your job. That’s what you get paid for. Your opponent went on the ice, knowing it was a possibility, so it’s not a surprise.”

Life, Mellema suggests, is not always about winning or losing. In the end, it’s how you play the game that matters most.

“When life ends, what happens next?”

Mellema said. “I tell the players that I can offer them a one-way contract. Guys think about that.

You can be the best player in the NHL, but what happens later when you don’t have that one-way?”

Impact.

When you become a Laker, you look outward, focusing on others instead of yourself. With professors’ caring guidance, you learn how to make a meaningful, lasting difference. Then, as you go forward into the world, you’re ready to tackle challenges and make meaningful contributions.

Like West Michigan itself, your positive impact will be far reaching. That’s the Laker Effect.

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55 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

FOREVER C

The Griffins’ veteran quartet from the 2013 Calder Cup team reflect on the upcoming fifth anniversary of the organization’s first title.

Brennan Evans, Triston Grant, Jeff Hoggan and Nathan Paetsch were four veterans who were given one task for the 2012-13 season: to return the Griffins to the playoffs after a threeyear absence.

They responded by coming together to bring the Calder Cup to Grand Rapids.

It’s hard to believe that this spring marks five years since that team’s magical march to the organization’s first title. Grant and Paetsch are still playing in the pros, but Evans is now attending school and moonlighting in a senior men’s league while Hoggan is coaching for an Omaha AAA hockey club.

56 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

R CHAMPS

Story and photos by Mark Newman

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The 2013 Calder Cup team was led by veteran group of (from left) Triston Grant, Brennan Evans, Jeff oggan and Nathan Paetsch.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

57

Hoggan, Paetsch and Evans played together for 50 playoff games f om 2013-15, the most in AHL history for a three-year period.

Although the quartet still stay in touch with one another through texting and social media posts, they have gone their separate ways. But their common bond remains.

Forever they will be championship teammates.

“I don’t think anybody expected us to win the Cup,” said Paetsch, who would captain the Griffins to their second Cup in 2017. “Before that season, the Griffins hadn’t made the playoffs for a while, so we came into the year facing lower expectations. But everything just clicked.

“We had a good, tight-knit group and we were able to grow more and more as the season went on. By the time of the playoffs, we came together.

Every series was an absolute hard-fought battle and we always found a way to come out on top.”

Prior to Grand Rapids, the foursome had one thing in common. They were all from the western provinces of Canada. Hoggan hailed from British Columbia. Evans grew up in Alberta. Paetsch’s roots were in Saskatchewan and Grant was from Manitoba.

“We were all from western Canada, so we had a similar blue-collar upbringing,” Grant said.

“We all believed in hard work and playing the right way. None of us were super talented, but we became professionals by grinding it out. When we came to Grand Rapids, all of us had lots left in the tank and we still had some things to prove.”

Evans agrees.

58

“Guys from the same geographic area are generally speaking cut from the same cloth,” Evans said. “That we’re from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba is kind of wild, but we all share the same values and work ethic. I think that’s why the four of us clicked so well.”

Although he was chosen team captain, Hoggan said it was crucial that the four were able to contribute in their own way.

“There was no one guy doing more as a leader,” Hoggan said. “We led as a group because we were all connected. We all came from the same hard-working background and I think we understood each other, so it was easy for us to jell as a leadership group and share the same message.”

Hoggan, who had spent the prior two seasons in Germany, had come to Grand Rapids on a professional tryout. He wasn’t sure what to expect, but he knew what it would take to win.

Unlike the others, he had won a Calder Cup previously, getting his name etched onto the trophy as a rookie with the Houston Aeros 10 years earlier.

“I didn’t know what I was getting into when I came to Grand Rapids after playing in Germany, but it was such a great experience,” Hoggan said. “The city and the people will always have a special place in my heart. It’s now part of my journey and it’s one place that I will never forget.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

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One of the keys to success for the 201213 Griffins team was a balance of youth and experience. The veterans provided leadership while numerous young players – Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Petr Mrazek, Landon Ferraro, Riley Sheahan, Mitch Callahan, Tomas Jurco and Luke Glendening, among others – supplied plenty of energy and enthusiasm.

“It was important that we worked well with the young guys,” Paetsch said. “Part of the job of being a veteran is not only to find success on the ice, but also to help the younger guys further their careers. When they were called up, we were just as happy as they were.”

Grant believes it was important that the quartet practiced what they preached.

“Management respected us and brought us in for a reason, so we were happy to do our jobs and be professional and lead by example to the younger guys,” Grant said. “Once we found our chemistry and everyone understood what they needed to do for the team to be successful, we started to find our way. I was definitely honored to be a part of the group.”

Grant’s departure following the 2013-14 season broke up the quartet, but the trio of Evans, Hoggan and Paetsch played together for three seasons. In fact, the Griffins played a total of 50 playoff games from 2013 to 2015, the most postseason contests during a three-year period in the entire history of the AHL. “We always enjoyed great character in our locker room,” Paetsch said. “We had guys who cared about the city of Grand Rapids and wanted to have success there.”

Grant had the best season of his career, at least statistically speaking, following his exodus from Grand Rapids. He tallied 13 goals and 13 assists in 73 games with Milwaukee in 2014-15. When Todd Nelson, his former coach in Oklahoma City, became the Griffins’ head coach in 2015-16, Grant returned, but injuries limited him to only six games of action.

Last season wasn’t much kinder to Grant. He played one game for the Binghamton Senators but mostly bounced between the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder and Rapid City Rush. He was effectively retired this season before the ECHL’s Quad City Mallards came calling shortly before Christmas.

“I decided retirement was kind of boring, so when this opportunity came, I jumped on it,” Grant said. “With injuries the past couple of

years, I wasn’t having fun, so it was good to step away from the game because I think it cleared my head. My wife and I felt like we would give it one more shot, and so far it feels good to be back on the ice.”

Grant, who scored in his first game back, said 2017 was proving to be a pretty good year for him and his wife Caitlin, whom he met in Grand Rapids. They now have a baby girl, Emerson.

“I’ve hardly slept in the last eight months and Caitlin has slept less than I have,” he said. “Still, she’s been an absolute joy.”

Paetsch, meanwhile, is anxious to get back on the ice himself. He resumed skating in December after missing most of the previous two months with a lower-body injury. By the end of 2017, he had appeared in only two games for the Rochester Americans.

Rochester, where Paetsch had played from 2003-06 and 2010-11, became his refuge when the Red Wings declined to renew his contract after five seasons with the Griffins, the last one coming as captain of the team’s second Cup winner. Paetsch was a victim of numbers, squeezed out by incoming Red Wings draft picks.

“When they told me that they weren’t bringing me back, it was devastating to say the least,” Paetsch said. “At the same time, I understand.

Hockey is a business, so you have to look at their side, too. The young guys have to play. They have to develop.”

Paetsch left Grand Rapids with no regrets.

“To win one championship is unforgettable. To win two is unbelievable,” he said. “Grand Rapids was home to my family and I will always hold the city dear. Five years with one AHL team is a pretty special run. Obviously it was hard on myself and my family. I still keep track of the team and how they’re doing. Part of my heart will always be there.”

Evans played one more season after his threeyear stint with the Griffins, finishing his career in 2015-16 with the Texas Stars.

“There was no doubt in our minds that Texas was it,” he said. “I think we had gotten a little spoiled in Grand Rapids. The Griffins treat everyone so well.”

He spent his first year in retirement from the game being a full-time stay-at-home dad. He and his wife Michele have two daughters: Vera, 4-1/2, and Isla, 2-1/2. “I definitely gained a lot of respect for moms,” Evans said. “Kids are a lot of work, no joke.”

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

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Although Evans knew it was time to retire from the pro game, stepping away wasn’t easy.

“I definitely miss it,” Evans said. “That happens when you do anything you love for that long and then you stop.”

Evans is now attending the North Alberta Institute of Technology while playing for the Lacombe Generals in the Chinook Hockey League, a senior men’s circuit in Alberta. He was recruited by the owner of the team, who promised him a career in air balancing.

“His pitch to me was ‘Come play for us and we can hook you up with a post-hockey career,’” he said. “Air balancing relates to ventilation systems and making sure that the airflow is correct in a building, whether it’s new construction or retrofit. Once I’m done with school, we’ll see if I like it or if I need to find something else.”

Playing in a senior men’s league has been “a real blessing” for Evans. “It’s been a great bridge from playing hockey full time to getting out of hockey,” he said. “I still practice, compete and get to hang out with the guys. A lot of them take their hockey pretty seriously. I’ve even gotten in a few fights, but they don’t usually last that long.”

Evans was surprised by the level of play – longtime Edmonton Oilers star Ryan Smyth played in the league last year – and he’s taken his share of ribbing for his pro credentials.

“When guys look me up on the Internet and see that I scored the Cup-clinching goal, they go, ‘Seriously? That was you?’ Well, it’s not like I got good hands all of a sudden. I’m still the same player.”

He said his memories of 2013 will last forever.

“I think about it a lot – all good memories, for sure. It’s pretty special to think about what we accomplished,” he said. “My wife and I will be watching TV and we’ll see something that reminds us of Grand Rapids, whether it’s Two Beards Deli, which was up the street from where we lived, or San Chez, which is near the rink. It happens all the time. We’re constantly reminiscing about the city and the team.”

Similar wistful emotions are stirred in the heart of Hoggan, who has returned to the state where he played his college hockey. After wrapping up his career with the Iowa Wild last season, he is now coaching the U16 and U18 teams for the Omaha AAA hockey club while finishing his degree. He is one class short of a degree in business administration at the

University of Nebraska-Omaha and hopes to graduate in the spring.

Hoggan also helps behind the bench of the USHL’s Omaha Lancers in addition to volunteering to coach mite travel hockey for his two oldest boys. His wife Chevonne has gone back into nursing, so he’s doing what he can to help with their three boys: Hunter, 8; Cam, 7, and Quinn, 3.

“Selfishly, I would have played forever but all good things come to an end,” he said. “I knew I wanted to stay home closer to the family, but I didn’t know how I would take to coaching. It’s addictive. You don’t have the same aches and pains that you do playing – although sometimes you do mentally.”

Hoggan said he is excited about working with a great group of kids. He’s taken tips from a number of former coaches, including Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill, who coached the 2013 team. Hoggan has learned to refocus his energies from the ice to the bench. “The same work ethic applies, just in a less physical sense,” he said.

Winning two Calder Cups has definitely provided Hoggan with the credibility to talk to aspiring hockey players. “There are tons of guys who can preach Xs and Os, but when you talk about your experience and what it takes, that’s when the kids listen,” Hoggan said.

He wonders if there will be a day when he returns to Grand Rapids in a coaching capacity.

He admits that he would eventually like to coach in the pros, but he is content to wait until the right opportunity presents itself. “Right now I’m having fun here coaching my kids,” he said.

There is little doubt that West Michigan would rate highly in potential destinations in his future.

“I can’t say enough about the city and the people,” he said. “I hope I left something good there.”

Like the others, Hoggan continues to follow the fortunes of the Griffins.

“Everybody now looks at Grand Rapids as the team to beat,” Hoggan said. “The organization brings in key veterans and they preach winning, which comes down from Detroit and their Cup years and the tradition of making the playoffs every season. It’s important to them to teach young guys the right way to play, so they learn how to win.

“Those young guys are going to help the Wings get back on top.”

60 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

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R E C O R D

B O O K

MICHEL PICARD

ALL-TIME ACTIVE LEADER SINGLE-SEASON 2016-17 ALL-TIME ACTIVE LEADER SINGLE-SEASON 2016-17

L E A D E R S ERIC TANGRADI

BRIAN LASHOFF

GAMES PLAYED Travis Richards Brian Lashoff (5th) Kyle Criscuolo

655 361 *82 76

GOALS *Led league Michel Picard 158 Eric Tangradi (19th) 54 Donald MacLean (2005-06) *56 Martin Frk 27

ASSISTS *Led league Michel Picard 222 Robbie Russo/Eric TangradI (T25th) 68 Jiri Hudler (2005-06) 60 Matt Lorito 34

POINTS Michel Picard Eric Tangradi (22nd) Michel Picard (1996-97) Matt Lorito

380 122 101 56

PLUS/MINUS Travis Richards Robbie Russo (T9th) Ivan Ciernik (2000-01) Eric Tangradi

PENALTY MINUTES Darryl Bootland Tyler Bertuzzi (T34th) Darryl Bootland (2005-06) Dan Renouf

1,164 204 390 95

WINS Joey MacDonald Tom McCollum (2nd) Joey MacDonald (2004-05) Mike Fountain (2000-01) 2.33 Jared Coreau

109 107 34 *34 19

SAVE PERCENTAGE Martin Prusek Jared Coreau (9th) Joey MacDonald (2003-04) Eddie Pasquale

0.930 0.917 0.936 0.919

*Led league

5 players tied

GOALIE GAMES PLAYED ALL-TIME Tom McCollum ACTIVE LEADER Tom McCollum (1st) SINGLE-SEASON Joey MacDonald (2004-05) 2016-17 Jared Coreau ALL-TIME ACTIVE LEADER SINGLE-SEASON 2016-17

A N D

SHUTOUTS Joey MacDonald Jared Coreau (3rd) 6 players tied Eddie Pasquale

+131 +48 *+41 +16

GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE 240 Martin Prusek 1.83 240 Jared Coreau (9th) 2.48 *66 Martin Prusek (2001-02) *1.83 33 Jared Coreau 20 11 6 4

SAVES Tom McCollum Tom McCollum (1st) Joey MacDonald (2004-05) Jared Coreau

6,028 6,028 1,785 849

(Through Jan. 4, 2018)

MARTIN PRUSEK

TOM McCOLLUM

JARED COREAU

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Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

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Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

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ALL STARS 2017 AHL All-Star Robbie Russo Photo by JustSports Photography/AHL

2017 AHL All-Star Matt Lorito Photo by JustSports Photography/AHL

1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06

Jeff elson, Michel Picard, Pokey Reddick Ian Gordon, Kerry Huffman, ichel Picard Robert Petrovicky, Maxim Spiridonov John Gruden, Jani Hurme, Kevin Miller, Petr Schastlivy Mike Fountain, Joel Kwiatkowski, Travis Richards, Todd White, Bruce Cassidy (co-coach) Chris Bala, John Gruden, Kip Miller, Martin Prusek, Petr Schastlivy, Bruce Cassidy (head coach), Gene Reilly (asst. coach) Marc Lamothe, Mark Mowers Jiri Hudler, Niklas Kronwall, Travis Richards, Nathan Robinson Niklas Kronwall, Joey MacDonald Valtteri Filppula, Jiri Hudler, Donald MacLean

2016 AHL All-Stars Jeff oggan and Xavier Ouellet Photo by Scott Thomas/AHL

2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

Derek Meech, Kip Miller Jonathan Ericsson, Jimmy Howard Jakub Kindl, Daniel Larsson Patrick Rissmiller Ilari Filppula, Brendan Smith Gustav Nyquist Chad Billins, Petr Mrazek, Gustav Nyquist Alexey Marchenko, Jeff lashill (head coach) Xavier Ouellet, Teemu Pulkkinen Jeff oggan (captain), Xavier Ouellet Matt Lorito, Robbie Russo, Todd Nelson (head coach)

2015 AHL All-Star Teemu Pulkkinen

Photo by Lindsay A. Mogle/AHL

2014 AHL All-Star Alexey Marchenko

Photo by Jeff arsons/AHL

Ev

At he tha

GR BC

2013 AHL All-Star Chad Billins

Photo by Alan Sullivan/AHL

2013 AHL All-Star Petr Mrazek

Photo by Alan Sullivan/AHL

2013 AHL All-Star Gustav Nyquist

Photo by Paul Yacovone III/AHL

2012 AHL All-Star Gustav Nyquist

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P E N A LT Y C A L L S

BOARDING Called for any action which causes an opponent to be thrown violently into the boards.

HIGH STICKING Making contact with an opponent while carrying the stick above shoulder hight.

MISCONDUCT 10-minute or disqualifi ation 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 fisti uff or shoving.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT Called for unsportsmanlike actions such as disputing an offici ’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 KNEEING Called when a player uses a knee to Called when a player uses an elbow impede an opponent to impede an opponent.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

WASH-OUT When used by the referee, it means goal disallowed. When used by linesmen, it means there is no icing or no offsid .

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Since their inception in 1996, the Griffi have sent 166 players to the National Hockey League, 16 of whom have gone on to win the Stanley Cup. In fact, a Griffins alumnus h had his name engraved on Lord Stanley’s chalice in six of the last 10 years and in eight of the last 13 seasons.

In chronological order, here are the 21 goalies and 145 skaters who have worn an NHL sweater after playing for Grand Rapids, along with the dates of their NHL debuts/returns.

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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

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

2

RE

at BUF at BUF T at TOR vs. WSH T at FLA NYI at SJ TT at TB B at FLA TT at SJ vs. ATL T at NYI at CAR T vs. TB vs. NYR at BOS ET vs. SJ H at PIT at PHX vs. DAL vs. EDM vs. ANA at MTL vs. STL at NSH vs. NSH vs. CBJ vs. NYI AL at LA at BUF vs. FLA vs. TOR at EDM T at CGY at ANA T vs. STL

2016-17GRADUATES JARED COREAU

NICK JENSEN

TYLER BERTUZZI

MATT LORITO

MARTIN FRK 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

Bold = Played in the NHL this season

(as of Jan. 9) Italics = Had name engraved on the Stanley Cup

after playing for Grand Rapids All photos by Dave Reginek.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

77

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PARTING SHOT

It looks like a weird robotic contraption from some sci-fi film What is it actually? It’s the machine used by the Griffins o dry the players’ gloves between the periods of each game.

Photos by Mark Newman 80

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions

T

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