JUNE 2017
VOL. 2
CALDER CUP CHRONICLE
DÉJÀ‘CUSE GRIFFINS AND CRUNCH MEET AGAIN IN CALDER CUP FINALS
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL
Mitch Callahan
Griffins prepare for the chance to capture their second Calder Cup in five seasons. Story by Mark Newman
Brian Lashoff Reaching the Calder Cup Finals is an experience that every American Hockey League team hopes to achieve each season, but only a select number of players gets to realize that special opportunity even once, let alone repeat the experience. Mitch Callahan, Brian Lashoff and Nathan Paetsch are thrilled that they will have the chance to win a second championship after they helped the Griffins bring the Calder Cup home to Grand Rapids by defeating the Syracuse Crunch in six games in 2013. It’s their experience – along with the leadership of veterans like Matthew Ford, Ben Street and Eric Tangradi – that could spell the difference as the Griffins attempt to win their second cup in five seasons. It would be the first as a bench boss for Griffins head coach Todd Nelson, who won the Calder Cup both as an assistant with the Chicago Wolves (2008) and as a player with the Portland Pirates (1994) and won two UHL Colonial Cups as the coach of the Muskegon Fury. “When you look at the winning teams I’ve been a part of, there’s one common ingredient and that’s experience,” Nelson said. “The more times you go through different situations, the more you learn what works and what doesn’t – that’s experience. No team goes through a playoff run without adversity and it’s your experienced players who often show the way.”
Paetsch, the Griffins’ captain who has now appeared in the most playoff games in franchise history, believes the team’s playoff performances over the past five seasons have helped put the organization in a good position. Grand Rapids is just the second team in AHL history to advance to at least the second round of the playoffs in each of the four seasons that followed a Calder Cup championship. The only other team to accomplish the feat was the Cleveland Barons, who reached the second round for five straight years after winning the cup in 1941. “For the past five years, the culture here has been extremely good and it’s spilled over into playoff success,” Paetsch said. “Realistically, we’ve had a Calder Cup contending team every one of those years. The two years that we didn’t reach the conference finals, we lost to the team that eventually won the cup. I think the experience gives you a better understanding of what it takes to become a champion.” Lashoff believes experience ultimately builds confidence. “Mentally, it helps your confidence, knowing that you’ve been there before,” Lashoff said. “The playoffs are a rollercoaster and the more guys you have in the room who have experience, the more it helps keep the emotions from getting too high or too low after wins and losses.”
Let’s go Griffins! 2017 Calder Cup Playoff Finalist
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Callahan remembers the rollercoaster ride of the 2013 playoffs when the Griffins were forced to play just two games short of the maximum possible to capture the organization’s first title. Only 22 when he hoisted the cup, Callahan isn’t sure he fully grasped the nature of the beast at the time. “I was so young back then that I thought it happened all the time and it would be easy,” Callahan said. “Now that I’m a little older, I’m trying to take in every moment. I remember everything that happened in 2013, but I don’t think I cherished it as much as I do right now.” Now in his 14th season, Paetsch said all veterans develop an appreciation for the playoffs and the difficulty of achieving the ultimate goal. “You learn how special these moments are and how unique this opportunity is,” Paetsch said. “There are 30 teams in this league, so the odds to be the one team to win it all are really astronomical. It’s a difficult thing to do and you can’t let these opportunities pass you by.” Of course, experience alone is no guarantee of success. It takes a mix of youth and experience together with skill, speed and size to build a winning team. Nelson credits the chemistry in the Griffins’ locker room for fostering a positive environment. “If your players care more about each other than themselves, then you’ll be successful,”
Nathan Paetsch Nelson said. “That model works for every business. When you’re unselfish and you work toward a common goal, you have a greater chance for success.” Paetsch likes the Griffins’ chances. “Everything is clicking for us right now, but we can’t take our foot off the gas pedal,” Paetsch said. “We’re close, but we’re still a long way away. After you win one cup, you feel hungrier because you know what it means. Winning a championship stays with you forever. You’re a champion for the rest of your life.” Lashoff agrees with the captain’s assessment. “When you win it once, you want that feeling again – anybody will tell you that,” Lashoff said. “The guys who have done it – me, Paetsch and Callahan – know how much fun it was and the satisfaction you feel when it’s over. We hope to do it again.” Nelson is making sure his players approach the playoffs one game at a time and they execute the game plan each night. As a head coach, he knows that winning a championship takes a little luck, too. “To be a championship team, you obviously have to play and execute well, but you also need a few breaks here and there,” Nelson said. “The hockey gods have to be in your favor, but we have an opportunity to do something special and the guys realize that.”
Grand Rapids Griffins Roster
RAISE THE CUP!
General Manager: Ryan Martin Head Coach: Todd Nelson Assistant Coaches: Ben Simon, Bruce Ramsay, Mike Knuble Goaltending Development Coach: Brian Mahoney-Wilson Video Coach: Bill LeRoy Athletic Trainer: John Bernal Equipment Manager: Brad Thompson Assistant Equipment Manager: Andrew Stegehuis Strength & Conditioning Coordinator: Marcus Kinney No. 9 10 11 15 19 21 23 26 27 28 29 39 42 43 45 51 55 77
Player Axel Holmstrom Ben Street Daniel Cleary Mitch Callahan Tomas Nosek Mike Borkowski Dominic Turgeon Eric Tangradi Martin Frk Matt Lorito Dylan Sadowy Tyler Bertuzzi Dominik Shine Givani Smith Colin Campbell Kyle Criscuolo Matthew Ford Evgeny Svechnikov
No. 2 3 4 5 13 18 20 44 48 52
Player Joe Hicketts Dennis Cholowski Nathan Paetsch Robbie Russo Filip Hronek Brian Lashoff Dan Renouf Conor Allen Vili Saarijarvi Dylan McIlrath
No. 31 35 40
Player Jared Coreau Cal Heeter Eddie Pasquale
FORWARDS Ht. Wt. 6-0 198 5-11 200 6-1 205 6-0 195 6-2 210 6-0 185 6-2 201 6-4 230 6-0 200 5-9 171 6-1 205 6-1 200 5-11 175 6-2 209 6-1 200 5-9 175 6-1 214 6-1 205 DEFENSEMEN Pos. Shoots Ht. Wt. D L 5-8 180 D L 6-1 185 D L 6-1 195 D R 6-0 195 D R 6-0 170 D L 6-3 221 D L 6-3 209 D L 6-1 205 D R 5-10 165 D R 6-5 236 GOALIES Pos. Catches Ht. Wt. G L 6-6 220 G L 6-4 195 G L 6-2 215
Pos. F C LW RW C C C LW RW LW RW LW F RW RW C RW RW
Shoots L L L R L L L L R L L L R L R R R L
DOB June 29, 1996 Feb. 13, 1987 Dec. 18, 1978 Aug. 17, 1991 Sept. 1, 1992 April 23, 1992 Feb. 25, 1996 Feb. 10, 1989 Oct. 5, 1993 July 3, 1990 April 2, 1996 Feb. 24, 1995 April 18, 1993 Feb. 27, 1998 April 17, 1991 May 5, 1992 Oct. 9, 1984 Oct. 31, 1996
Birthplace Arvidsjaur, Sweden Coquitlam, BC Carbonear, NL Whittier, CA Pardubice, Czech Republic Ottawa, ON Pointe-Claire, QC Philadelphia, PA Pelhrimov, Czech Republic Oakville, ON Brampton, ON Sudbury, ON Pinckney, MI Thornhill, ON Toronto, ON Philadelphia, PA West Hills, CA Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia
DOB May 4, 1996 Feb. 15, 1998 March 30, 1983 Feb. 15, 1993 Nov. 2, 1997 July 16, 1990 June 1, 1994 Jan. 31, 1990 May 15, 1997 April 20, 1992
Birthplace Kamloops, BC Langley, BC Humboldt, SK Westmont, IL Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic Albany, NY Pickering, ON Chicago, IL Rovaniemi, Finland Winnipeg, MB
DOB Nov. 5, 1991 Nov. 2, 1988 Nov. 20, 1990
Birthplace Perth, ON St. Louis, MO Toronto, ON
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Syracuse Crunch Roster General Manager: Julien BriseBois Head Coach: Benoit Groulx Assistant Coaches: Trent Cull, Jeff Halpern Goaltending & Video Coach: David Alexander Athletic Trainer: Brad Chavis Equipment Manager: JW Aiken Assistant Equipment Manager: Sam Nicholson Strength & Conditioning: Mark Powell
Purple Community, Van Andel Institute’s grassroots community awareness and fundraising program, is a proud partner of the Grand Rapids Griffins and we congratulate the Griffs on an amazing season! Purple Community connects individuals, schools, teams and businesses to the resources needed to join the fight against cancer and Parkinson’s disease. For more information on Purple Community and how you can join, visit purplecommunity.org.
No. 9 11 12 15 16 18 21 22 28 37 40 48 57 67 73 74 78 89 92
Player Anthony Cirelli Erik Condra John Kurtz Kevin Lynch Tye McGinn Dennis Yan Byron Froese Matthew Peca Mike Halmo Yanni Gourde Gabriel Dumont Brett Howden Henri Ikonen Mitchell Stephens Adam Erne Stefan Fournier Michael Bournival Cory Conacher Joel Vermin
Pos. C RW LW C LW LW C C LW LW C C LW C LW RW LW RW RW
No. 3 4 5 6 14 20 24 25 26 36 44 65 85
Player Jonathan Racine Jake Dotchin Dominik Masin Dylan Blujus Erik Cernak Matt Taormina Libor Hajek Mathieu Brodeur Ben Thomas Matthew Spencer Adam Comrie Slater Koekkoek Daniel Walcott
Pos. D D D D D D D D D D D D D
No. 30 50 56
Player Connor Ingram Kristers Gudlevskis Mike McKenna
Pos. G G G
FORWARDS Shoots Ht. Wt. L 6-1 184 R 6-0 188 L 6-2 210 R 6-1 205 L 6-3 205 L 6-1 202 R 6-0 201 L 5-9 178 L 5-11 188 L 5-9 172 R 5-10 190 L 6-3 191 L 6-0 191 R 6-0 195 L 6-0 214 R 6-3 226 L 5-11 198 L 5-8 180 R 5-11 190 DEFENSEMEN Shoots Ht. Wt. L 6-2 202 R 6-3 212 L 6-2 198 R 6-3 203 R 6-3 221 L 5-9 192 L 6-1 205 L 6-5 215 R 6-2 187 R 6-1 207 L 6-5 219 L 6-2 198 L 5-11 174 GOALIES Catches Ht. Wt. L 6-1 185 L 6-3 223 R 6-2 190
DOB July 15, 1997 Aug. 6, 1986 May 16, 1989 April 23, 1991 July 29, 1990 April 14, 1997 March 12, 1991 April 27, 1993 May 15, 1991 Dec. 15, 1991 Oct. 6, 1990 March 29, 1998 April 17, 1994 Feb. 5, 1997 April 20, 1995 April 30, 1992 May 31, 1992 Dec. 14, 1989 Feb. 5, 1992
Birthplace Woodbridge, ON Trenton, MI Oakville, ON Grosse Pointe, MI Fergus, ON Portland, OR Winkler, MB Petawawa, ON Kitchener, ON Saint-Narcisse, QC Degelis, QC Oakbank, MB Savonlinna, Finland Peterborough, ON North Branford, CT Dorval, QC Shawinigan, QC Burlington, ON Bern, Switzerland
DOB May 28, 1993 March 24, 1994 Feb. 1, 1996 Jan. 22, 1994 May 28, 1997 Oct. 20, 1986 Feb. 4, 1998 June 21, 1990 May 28, 1996 March 24, 1997 July 31, 1990 Feb. 18, 1994 Feb. 19, 1994
Birthplace Montreal, QC Cambridge, ON Mestec Kralove, Czech Rep Buffalo, NY Kosice, Slovakia Warren, MI Smrcek, Czech Republic Montreal, QC Calgary, AB Oakville, ON Ottawa, ON Winchester, ON L'Ile-Perrot, QC
DOB March 31, 1997 July 31, 1992 April 11, 1983
Birthplace Imperial, SK Aizkraukle, Latvia St. Louis, MO
GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS PLAYOFF STATISTICS – THROUGH WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS No. 10 26 19 39 28 15 77 55 27 51 2 5 52 4 18 45 20 9 23 21 13 31
PLAYER Ben Street Eric Tangradi Tomas Nosek Tyler Bertuzzi Matt Lorito Mitch Callahan * Evgeny Svechnikov Matthew Ford Martin Frk * Kyle Criscuolo * Joe Hicketts Robbie Russo Dylan McIlrath Nathan Paetsch Brian Lashoff Colin Campbell * Dan Renouf * Axel Holmstrom * Dominic Turgeon * Mike Borkowski * Filip Hronek Jared Coreau BENCH TOTALS
No. 31
GOALIE Jared Coreau Empty Net TOTALS
POS C LW C LW LW RW RW RW RW C D D D D D RW D F C C D G GP 13 13
GP 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 10 13 13 13 13 13 11 11 13 4 13 1 2 13 13 13
G 4 2 7 6 7 5 4 7 3 4 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 53
MINS 797:12 2:23 799.35
W 11 11
A 11 13 7 7 5 7 7 2 6 4 5 6 5 3 2 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 95
PTS 15 15 14 13 12 12 11 9 9 8 6 6 5 4 3 2 2 1 1 0 0 0 148
+/0 5 7 4 5 7 5 1 3 7 3 4 12 0 5 1 7 2 -1 -1 -2 0 74
PIM 0 10 6 30 2 16 16 22 10 8 6 16 15 8 6 8 6 0 2 0 6 2 0 195
PP 0 0 3 0 3 1 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14
L SOL SO EN GA GAA SOGP 2 0 0 1 32 2.41 0 1 2 0 0 1 33 2.48 0
PPA 8 3 3 1 2 0 1 1 5 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27
SHG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SHA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GW 1 0 3 2 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11
FG 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
SOW SOL SOGA SOA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SO% 0.000 0.000
IG 0 0 2 1 2 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9
OT 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
SA SVS 408 376 1 409 376
UA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
EN 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
SV% 0.922 0.919
SOG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SOA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SGW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SO% 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
SH 41 37 41 23 37 35 32 36 25 23 20 30 9 13 8 16 10 2 13 1 0 0 0 452
SH% 9.8 5.4 17.1 26.1 18.9 14.3 12.5 19.4 12.0 17.4 5.0 0.0 0.0 7.7 12.5 0.0 0.0 50.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 11.7
SGW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SO% 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
SH 38 38 33 36 27 34 51 17 28 27 17 29 23 26 9 19 5 13 3 1 8 0 0 2 0 0 484
SH% 23.7 13.2 12.1 11.1 14.8 11.8 7.8 23.5 21.4 18.5 29.4 10.3 4.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 20.0 7.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 12.4
* - rookie
SYRACUSE CRUNCH PLAYOFF STATISTICS – THROUGH EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS No. 89 37 20 11 16 22 21 26 78 40 92 73 65 4 85 25 3 15 48 57 5 6 50 67 56
PLAYER Cory Conacher Yanni Gourde Matt Taormina Erik Condra Tye McGinn Matthew Peca Byron Froese * Ben Thomas Michael Bournival Gabriel Dumont Joel Vermin Adam Erne Slater Koekkoek Jake Dotchin Daniel Walcott Mathieu Brodeur Jonathan Racine Kevin Lynch * Brett Howden Henri Ikonen * Dominik Masin Dylan Blujus Kristers Gudlevskis * Mitchell Stephens Mike McKenna BENCH TOTALS
No. 50 56
GOALIE Kristers Gudlevskis Mike McKenna Empty Net TOTALS
POS RW LW D RW LW C C D LW C RW LW D D D D D C C LW D D G C G GP 1 16 17
GP 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 13 9 16 5 13 3 1 16 1 1 3 16 16 16
G 9 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 6 5 5 3 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60
A 11 12 12 10 8 8 7 6 3 4 2 4 4 4 3 3 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 107
PTS 20 17 16 14 12 12 11 10 9 9 7 7 5 4 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 167
+/9 11 9 6 5 5 7 11 6 6 3 3 11 9 4 1 0 1 1 1 5 -1 0 -1 0 112
MINS W L SOL SO EN GA 37:50 0 0 0 0 0 0 957:28 11 5 0 0 0 40 6:05 0 1001:23 11 5 0 0 0 40
PIM 19 27 6 20 6 4 8 6 4 6 6 2 4 31 12 6 2 8 0 0 12 2 0 0 0 4 195
PP 2 0 1 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10
GAA SOGP 0.00 0 2.51 0 2.40 0
PPA 1 3 6 0 2 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 20
SHA 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
GW 2 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11
FG 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
SOW SOL SOGA SOA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Congratulations Griffins! Remember to refuel with Chocolate Milk!
SHG 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
SO% 0.000 0.000 0.000
IG 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
OT 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
SA SVS 14 14 455 415 0 469 429
UA 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 SV% 1.000 0.912 0.915
EN 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8
SOG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SOA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
* - rookie
Congrats Griffins!
Courtesy American Hockey League
THE STORY OF THE CALDER CUP The coveted Calder Cup has been a motivational force for American Hockey League teams throughout the League’s 81 -year history. It is one of our sport’s greatest challenges and ultimate honors to hoist the Calder Cup in victory. The trophy is named for Frank Calder, who served as the National Hockey League’s first President from 1917 to 1943. During the 1920s, Mr. Calder was instrumental in guiding hockey into the mainstream of America’s major cities including Boston, New York, Detroit and Chicago, while helping in the formation of the American League.
winner Bryan Helmer has played in more Calder Cup Playoff games (159) than anyone else. Marcel Paille’s 49 playoff victories are the most ever by a goaltender, and Bill McDougall set singleseason records that may never be broken when he tallied 26 goals, 26 assists and 52 points during the 1993 postseason with the Cape Breton Oilers.
2013 CALDER CUP CHAMPIONS - GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS
Four men share the honor of having won the most Calder Cups during their playing careers: Bob Solinger, Les Duff, Fred Glover and Mike Busniuk each skated to five titles.
Adam Almquist, Joakim Andersson, Louis-Marc Aubry, Chad Billins, Mitch Callahan, Danny DeKeyser, Brennan Evans, Landon Ferraro, Gleason Fournier, Luke Glendening, Triston Grant, Jeff Hoggan, Tomas Jurco, Brian Lashoff, Jan Mursak, Andrej Nestrasil, Gustav Nyquist, Nathan Paetsch, Francis Pare, Teemu Pulkkinen, Riley Sheahan, Brett Skinner, Tomas Tatar, Tom McCollum (G), Petr Mrazek (G), Jordan Pearce (G)
The Calder Cup trophy itself was actually first awarded in 1938 to the Providence Reds for winning the second International-American Hockey League championship. (In 1996, George Parsons of the Syracuse Stars was presented the Calder Cup in a ceremony at the Onondaga County War Memorial, as it is believed the Stars never received a trophy for their 1937 championship.) In 2001, the trophy’s base was changed to include two tiers of plaques, which feature the rosters of each of the last 20 Calder Cup champions; the plaques from all previous champions are on display in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. The entire Calder Cup trophy now stands 24 inches tall and weighs 35 pounds. The bowl, made of sterling silver, is 12 inches high and eight inches in diameter. The hardwood base is made of Brazilian mahogany. A total of 31 different cities have had their
AHL member club win the Calder Cup, led by Hershey with 11 and Cleveland with 10 following the Lake Erie Monsters’ 2016 championship. Springfield (seven), Rochester (six), Providence (five) and Chicago (two) are the other active cities with more than one title. Twenty-nine members of the Hockey Hall of Fame have won the Calder Cup in their careers, including Johnny Bower, Terry Sawchuk, Emile Francis, Gerry Cheevers, Al Arbour, Andy Bathgate, Larry Robinson, Doug Harvey, Patrick Roy and 2013 inductee Fred Shero. Not only have great players won the Calder Cup, but outstanding coaches have also hoisted the AHL’s championship trophy. Hall of Famer Fred “Bun” Cook holds the distinction of winning seven Calder Cups in his career; no other AHL head coach has
ever won more than three. Current NHL head coaches with Calder Cup titles on their resumes include Barry Trotz (Portland, 1994), John Tortorella (Rochester, 1996), Peter Laviolette (Providence, 1999), Todd McLellan (Houston, 2003), Bruce Boudreau (Hershey, 2006), Jon Cooper (Norfolk, 2012), Jeff Blashill (Grand Rapids, 2013), Willie Desjardins (Texas, 2014) and Jared Bednar (Lake Erie, 2016). More than 100 players and coaches have won both the Calder Cup and Stanley Cup in their careers, including Ace Bailey, Brian Engblom, Dick Gamble, Butch Goring, Adam Graves, Peter Mahovlich, Kirk Maltby, Ab McDonald, Patrick Sharp, Fred Shero, Brian Skrudland, Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and 2016 Stanley Cup champion Eric Fehr. Two-time Calder Cup champion Darren Haydar is the AHL’s all-time leader in playoff goals (63) and points (143), and three-time
Calder Cup-winning teams have impacted significantly on the success of their NHL parent clubs. On three occasions an AHL club and its NHL affiliate won their league championships in the same year: In 1976 and 1977, the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup while their AHL affiliate, the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, won the Calder Cup, and in 1995, the Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils saw their AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats, win a title as well. In 2008, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and their parent club in Pittsburgh both reached their respective league Finals before bowing out, and in 2015, both the New York Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack reached the conference finals. Only one team in 80 years has been able to win the Calder Cup in three consecutive seasons: the Springfield Indians, under the leadership of AHL and Hockey Hall of Famers Eddie Shore and Jack Butterfield, skated to Calder Cup championships in 1960, 1961 and 1962.
CALDER CUP BY THE NUMBERS
1 2
Calder Cups won by affiliates of the Tampa Bay Lightning (Norfolk in 2012). Syracuse right wing Cory Conacher was a member of that team Calder Cups won by Griffins head coach Todd Nelson, as an assistant with the 2008 Chicago Wolves and a player with the 1994 Portland Pirates. Assistant coach Ben Simon also won it as a player for the Wolves in 2002
3
Members of the Griffins’ 2013 Calder Cup championship team who are on the team’s 2017 playoff roster (Mitch Callahan, Brian Lashoff and Nathan Paetsch). Only one member of the Crunch – defenseman Matt Taormina – played for Syracuse in those finals four years ago
3 3 4 5 7
Consecutive Calder Cups won by the Springfield Indians from 1960-62, the only AHL team in 80 seasons to accomplish the trifecta Times that an AHL club and its NHL affiliate won their league championships in the same year, most recently New Jersey and Albany in 1995
Consecutive Calder Cup Finals appearances by the Rochester Americans from 1965-68, a league record Record number of Calder Cups won during the playing careers of Bob Solinger, Les Duff, Fred Glover and Mike Busniuk
Calder Cups won by affiliates of the Detroit Red Wings (Grand Rapids in 2013; Adirondack Red Wings in 1992, 1989, 1986 and 1981; Pittsburgh Hornets in 1967)
7 8
Record for Calder Cups won as a head coach, held by Fred “Bun” Cook
Record number of Calder Cups won by Frank Mathers: two as a player, two as a player-coach, one as a head coach and three as a president/general manager
9
Times that an AHL team has won consecutive Calder Cups, most recently the Hershey Bears in 2009 and 2010
10
Years since the Calder Cup Finals presented a rematch of a previous championship matchup. In 2007, the Hamilton Bulldogs avenged their 1997 loss to Hershey.
11 11
AHL titles won by Hershey, the most of any city or club
Members of the Griffins’ 2013 championship team who played in the NHL during the 201617 season (Mitch Callahan, Danny DeKeyser, Luke Glendening, Tomas Jurco, Brian Lashoff, Petr Mrazek, Andrej Nestrasil, Gustav Nyquist, Teemu Pulkkinen, Riley Sheahan and Tomas Tatar)
12
Head coaches with more than one AHL championship
16
24
20
29 31 35 36
Goals scored by Jack Butterfield Trophy winner (playoff MVP) Tomas Tatar during the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs, the third-most in league history for a single postseason Rosters of past champions that are featured on the plaques of the Calder Cup. The Griffins’ 2013 plaque will remain on the Cup until 2033, at which time it will be retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
23 24
Record number of Calder Cup Finals appearances by Hershey, with 11 wins and 12 losses Height of the Calder Cup in inches
Games played by the Griffins during the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs, two shy of the maximum. Also, the number of games played by Petr Mrazek, tying the single-season AHL playoff record for a goaltender.
careers
Members of the Hockey Hall of Fame who have won the Calder Cup during their Cities that have had their AHL member club win the Calder Cup Weight of the Calder Cup in pounds
Times that the AHL’s regular season champion has gone on to win the Calder Cup, most recently the Manchester Monarchs in 2015
52 79 2013
Division champions who’ve gone on to win the Calder Cup, including Grand Rapids in
Seasons in the 80-year history of the AHL that the Calder Cup has been awarded. It is believed that the 1936-37 Syracuse Stars, first champions of the International-American Hockey League, did not receive a trophy of any kind.
143
AHL-record playoff points tallied by former Griffin and two-time Calder Cup champion Darren Haydar, who also holds the record for goals (63) and stands second in assists (80)
159 1938
AHL-record playoff games played by former Griffin, three-time Calder Cup champion and AHL Hall of Famer Bryan Helmer
The first year that the Calder Cup was awarded, to the Providence Reds for winning the second InternationalAmerican Hockey League championship
2000
Prior to Grand Rapids in 2013, the last time an AHL team played four playoff series without a single overtime game (Rochester)
CALDER CUP CHAMPIONS The Calder Cup, the American Hockey League’s ultimate prize, is named after the National Hockey League’s first president, Frank Calder.
Mr. Calder was instrumental in the formation of the AHL in the mid-1930s and served as president of the NHL until his death in 1943. The Calder Cup, which gained its current design in 2001, is awarded annually to the AHL playoff champion. The names of the players, coaches and support staff from the 20 most recent winners adorn the base; the plaques containing all previous years’ champions are on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Season 2015-16 2014-15 2013-14 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 2000-01 1999-2000 1998-99 1997-98 1996-97 1995-96 1994-95 1993-94 1992-93 1991-92 1990-91 1989-90 1988-89
Champion Series General Manager Lake Erie Monsters 4-0 Bill Zito Manchester Monarchs 4-1 Rob Blake Texas Stars 4-1 Scott White Grand Rapids Griffins 4-2 Jim Nill Norfolk Admirals 4-0 Julien BriseBois Binghamton Senators 4-2 Tim Murray Hershey Bears 4-2 Doug Yingst Hershey Bears 4-2 Doug Yingst Chicago Wolves 4-2 Kevin Cheveldayoff Hamilton Bulldogs 4-1 Bob Gainey Hershey Bears 4-2 Doug Yingst Philadelphia Phantoms 4-0 Bob Clarke Milwaukee Admirals 4-0 Phil Wittliff Houston Aeros 4-3 Dave Barr Chicago Wolves 4-1 Kevin Cheveldayoff Saint John Flames 4-2 Stew MacDonald Hartford Wolf Pack 4-2 Don Maloney Providence Bruins 4-1 Harry Sinden Philadelphia Phantoms 4-2 Bob Clarke Hershey Bears 4-1 Doug Yingst Rochester Americans 4-3 Joe Baumann Albany River Rats 4-0 John Weisbrod Portland Pirates 4-2 Godfrey Wood Cape Breton Oilers 4-1 David Andrews Adirondack Red Wings 4-3 Barry Melrose Springfield Indians 4-2 Bruce Landon Springfield Indians 4-2 Bruce Landon Adirondack Red Wings 4-1 Neil Smith
Head Coach Jared Bednar Mike Stothers Willie Desjardins Jeff Blashill Jon Cooper Kurt Kleinendorst Mark French Bob Woods John Anderson Don Lever Bruce Boudreau John Stevens Claude Noel Todd McLellan John Anderson Jim Playfair John Paddock Peter Laviolette Bill Barber Bob Hartley John Tortorella Robbie Ftorek Barry Trotz George Burnett Barry Melrose Jim Roberts Jim Roberts Bill Dineen
Runner-Up Hershey Bears Utica Comets St. John’s IceCaps Syracuse Crunch Toronto Marlies Houston Aeros Texas Stars Manitoba Moose W-B/Scranton Penguins Hershey Bears Milwaukee Admirals Chicago Wolves W-B/Scranton Penguins Hamilton Bulldogs Bridgeport Sound Tigers W-B/Scranton Penguins Rochester Americans Rochester Americans Saint John Flames Hamilton Bulldogs Portland Pirates Fredericton Canadiens Moncton Hawks Rochester Americans St. John’s Maple Leafs Rochester Americans Rochester Americans New Haven Nighthawks
2009 & 2010 HERSHEY BEARS Defenseman Bryan Helmer (Griffins 2004-06) Season 1987-88
Champion Hershey Bears
Series General Manager 4-0 Frank Mathers
1986-87
Rochester Americans
4-3
1985-86 1984-85
Adirondack Red Wings Sherbrooke Canadiens
4-2 4-2
1983-84
Maine Mariners
4-1
1982-83 1981-82
Rochester Americans New Brunswick Hawks
4-0 4-1
1980-81
Adirondack Red Wings
4-2
1979-80 1978-79 1977-78 1976-77 1975-76 1974-75 1973-74 1972-73 1971-72 1970-71 1969-70 1968-69 1967-68
Hershey Bears Maine Mariners Maine Mariners Nova Scotia Voyageurs Nova Scotia Voyageurs Springfield Indians Hershey Bears Cincinnati Swords Nova Scotia Voyageurs Springfield Kings Buffalo Bisons Hershey Bears Rochester Americans
4-2 4-0 4-1 4-2 4-1 4-1 4-1 4-1 4-2 4-0 4-0 4-1 4-2
1966-67
Pittsburgh Hornets
4-0
1965-66 1964-65
Rochester Americans Rochester Americans
4-2 4-1
Head Coach John Paddock John George Bergantz Van Boxmeer Neil Smith Bill Dineen Serge Savard Pierre Creamer Tom McVie/ Max McNab John Paddock George Bergantz Mike Keenan Bob Pulford Orval Tessier Tom Webster & Ned Harkness J.P. LeBlanc Frank Mathers Doug Gibson Keith Allen Bob McCammon Keith Allen Bob McCammon Al MacNeil Al MacNeil Al MacNeil Al MacNeil Ted Shore Ron Stewart Frank Mathers Chuck Hamilton Fred Hunt Floyd Smith Al MacNeil Al MacNeil John Wilson John Wilson Fred Hunt Fred Shero Frank Mathers Frank Mathers Joe Crozier Joe Crozier Aldege “Baz” Aldege “Baz” Bastien Bastien Joe Crozier Joe Crozier Joe Crozier Joe Crozier
Runner-Up Fredericton Express Sherbrooke Canadiens Hershey Bears Baltimore Skipjacks Rochester Americans Maine Mariners Binghamton Whalers Maine Mariners New Brunswick Hawks New Haven Nighthawks New Haven Nighthawks Rochester Americans Hershey Bears New Haven Nighthawks Providence Reds Nova Scotia Voyageurs Baltimore Clippers Providence Reds Springfield Kings Quebec Aces Quebec Aces Rochester Americans Cleveland Barons Hershey Bears
CONGRATULATIONS to our own Grand Rapids Griffins!
Best of luck in the Calder Cup Finals.
Here we go Griffins,
HERE WE GO!!
Congratulations
GRIFFINS! Bring Back the Cup!
Season 1963-64 1962-63 1961-62 1960-61 1959-60 1958-59 1957-58 1956-57 1955-56 1954-55 1953-54 1952-53 1951-52 1950-51 1949-50 1948-49 1947-48 1946-47 1945-46 1944-45 1943-44 1942-43 1941-42 1940-41 1939-40 1938-39 1937-38 1936-37
Champion Cleveland Barons Buffalo Bisons Springfield Indians Springfield Indians Springfield Indians Hershey Bears Hershey Bears Cleveland Barons Providence Reds Pittsburgh Hornets Cleveland Barons Cleveland Barons Pittsburgh Hornets Cleveland Barons Indianapolis Capitals Providence Reds Cleveland Barons Hershey Bears Buffalo Bisons Cleveland Barons Buffalo Bisons Buffalo Bisons Indianapolis Capitals Cleveland Barons Providence Reds Cleveland Barons Providence Reds Syracuse Stars
Series 4-0 4-3 4-1 4-0 4-1 4-2 4-2 4-1 4-0 4-2 4-2 4-3 4-2 4-3 4-0 4-3 4-0 4-3 4-3 4-2 4-0 3-0 3-2 3-2 3-0 3-1 3-1 3-1
General Manager Jack Gordon Fred Hunt Jack Butterfield Jack Butterfield Jack Butterfield Lloyd Blinco Lloyd Blinco Jim Hendy Terry Reardon Jim Balmer Jim Hendy Jim Hendy Jim Balmer Jim Hendy Dick Miller Louis A.R. Pieri Al Sutphin John Sollenberger Art Chapman Bill Cook Eddie Shore Eddie Shore Dick Miller Al Sutphin Louis A.R. Pieri Al Sutphin Louis A.R. Pieri John C. Johnston
Head Coach Fred Glover Bill Reay Pat Egan Pat Egan Pat Egan Frank Mathers Frank Mathers Jack Gordon John Crawford Howie Meeker Fred (Bun) Cook Fred (Bun) Cook “King” Clancy Fred (Bun) Cook Ott Heller Terry Reardon Fred (Bun) Cook Don Penniston Frank Beisler Fred (Bun) Cook Art Chapman Art Chapman Herb Lewis Bill Cook Fred (Bun) Cook Bill Cook Fred (Bun) Cook Eddie Powers
Runner-Up Quebec Aces Hershey Bears Buffalo Bisons Hershey Bears Rochester Americans Buffalo Bisons Springfield Indians Rochester Americans Cleveland Barons Buffalo Bisons Hershey Bears Pittsburgh Hornets Providence Reds Pittsburgh Hornets Cleveland Barons Hershey Bears Buffalo Bisons Pittsburgh Hornets Cleveland Barons Hershey Bears Cleveland Barons Indianapolis Capitals Hershey Bears Hershey Bears Pittsburgh Hornets Philadelphia Ramblers Syracuse Stars Philadelphia Ramblers
2014 TEXAS STARS Defenseman Derek Meech (Griffins 2004-08; 10-11)
2011 BINGHAMTON SENATORS Right Wing Ryan Keller (Griffins 2005-07)
2008 CHICAGO WOLVES Right Wing Darren Haydar (Griffins 2008-09)
2013 GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS Left Wing Jeff Hoggan (Griffins 2012-16)
2016 LAKE ERIE MONSTERS Head Coach Jared Bednar (Griffins Defenseman 1998-99)
CONGRATS GRIFFINS!
O G S ’ LET NS I F F I R G
We wish you continued success in your quest for the Calder Cup!
800.622.5591 • www.rogersprinting.net
THE ROAD TO THE CALDER CUP CENTRAL DIVISION SEMIFINALS
MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS PRIMARY MARK
GRIFFINS WIN 3-0
PANTONE 282 C
PANTONE 292 C
PANTONE COOL GRAY 4 C
WHITE
2015-16
CENTRAL DIVISION FINALS
GRIFFINS WIN 4-1 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
SAN JOSE BARRACUDA PRIMARY MARK
GRIFFINS WIN 4-1 PANTONE 3155 C
PANTONE 429 C
PANTONE 152 C
PROCESS BLACK
WHITE
YOUR WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS!
Photos courtesy American Hockey League, Ross Dettman/Chicago Wolves, Dan Hickling, Sam Iannamico, Mark Newman, Scott Paulus/Milwaukee Admirals, San Jose Barracuda
2015-16
CALDER CUP FINALS (BEST OF SEVEN)
Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 *Game 5 *Game 6 *Game 7
Fri., June 2 Sat., June 3 Wed., June 7 Fri., June 9 Sat., June 10 Tue., June 13 Wed., June 14
Crunch at GRIFFINS Crunch at GRIFFINS GRIFFINS at Crunch GRIFFINS at Crunch GRIFFINS at Crunch Crunch at GRIFFINS Crunch at GRIFFINS
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
*If necessary. Watch FREE on AHLLive.com (promo code FINALS17) and listen on ESPN 96.1 FM.