2017-18 SEASON ISSUE NO. 1
MODEL YEAR MATT FORD 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
Vol. 22, No. 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS STARTING LINEUP 24 ROAD TO THE CUP II Griffiti takes a pictorial look at the path of the Griffins’ second Calder Cup run.
24
34 MILES OF SMILES The Calder Cup crisscrossed the U.S. and Canada this summer, as each North American Griffins player and coach was able to celebrate the organization’s second AHL championship during his own day with the treasured trophy. 42 HIS CUP RUNNETH OVER Matt Ford enjoyed a storybook year as he welcomed a new baby, a new team and a new trophy into his life. 52 NEW TEAMS, NEW EXCITEMENT The Belleville Senators and Laval Rocket hope to experience the same enthusiasm that welcomed the Grand Rapids Griffins 21 seasons ago. 56 KEEP IT SIMPLE Red Wings defensive prospect Filip Hronek is learning English along with ways to improve his game.
34
ON THE BENCH 2.........Chalk Talk 4.........Scouting Report 6.........Griffins On The Go 9.........Griffins Schedule 12......AHL Tradition 15......AHL Team Directory 19......Detroit Red Wings 21......Promotional Calendar 40......Meet the Griffins
50......InfoGRIFFics 63......Griffins Records 68......Griffins All-Stars 73......Penalty Calls 74......Arena Map/Ticket Info 76......It All Starts Here 79......Calder City Comics 80......Parting Shot
COVER:
42
Matt Ford relaxes with the Calder Cup in the outdoor garden adjacent to his home in Chicago.
Photo by Mark Newman
Griffiti magazine is published four times a year by the Grand Rapids Griffins, Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All contents ©2017 Grand Rapids Griffins. For advertising information, contact Griffins Sales & Marketing, (616) 774-4585; fax (616) 336-5464. Unsolicited manuscripts and other materials will not be returned.
56
1
WITH GRIFFINS HEAD COACH TODD NELSON
Looking back on what it took to win a Calder Cup last season, Griffins head coach Todd Nelson concedes it was the culmination of a combination of factors – none more than important than another, and all equally essential to putting the team into a position to succeed. As a team with a singular goal in its sights, the Griffins showed incredible resolve to work together. “Our team chemistry was excellent,” Nelson said. “The guys were such a tight-knit group that they played their butts off because they wanted to win for each other. It might have been the closest group of guys I’ve ever been a part of.” Nelson points out that the makeup of his championship team was “very complementary,” bolstering the Griffins’ play at both ends of the ice. “Our forwards were skilled, but they also played hard. They were willing to pay the price and finished checks all over the ice. Our defensemen were stingy and were hard to play against. Plus, we had solid goaltending.” Strong specialty teams provided Nelson and his staff with an incredible weapon. The Griffins extended their playoff-record streak of scoring at least one power play goal to 13 games before Syracuse stopped the string in Game 3 of the finals.
“Our power play was excellent all year. The only time it faltered was when we had seven guys called up late in the season,” Nelson said. “In the playoffs, our power play units scored timely goals, like in Game 1 against Syracuse, when we got the game-winning goal with 14 seconds left.” The Griffins’ penalty kill nearly matched the power play’s effectiveness. At one point, the Grand Rapids team killed off 20 consecutive power plays. “We had some huge kills in the playoffs, including in Game 4 against Syracuse where they had us hemmed in and we took a couple of penalties, but our guys sacrificed their bodies.” A goal scored on the power play or one prevented by the penalty kill often spells the difference between victory or defeat, especially in the postseason. “Playoff hockey is so stingy,” Nelson said. “It’s so hard to score, and one goal makes the difference many times.” Proving that point, the Griffins became the first team to win four one-goal games in the Calder Cup Finals since Hershey in 1974. The Griffins showed themselves to be very resilient, never losing faith when they fell behind in contests. The team enjoyed six come-from-behind victories during the playoffs, including three in the Calder Cup Finals. “That’s a testament to our leadership, starting with Nathan Paetsch,” Nelson said. “Our room never panicked. Our guys had the inner confidence that we could always come back. During the whole season, they never quit. It was a sign of true character.” The Griffins were able to count not only on a number of veterans – Matthew Ford, Brian Lashoff, Ben Street, Mitch Callahan, Eric Tangradi, Martin Frk, Colin Campbell and others – but also younger players like Tyler Bertuzzi, Kyle Criscuolo, Joe Hicketts, Tomas Nosek, Dan Renouf, Robbie Russo, Evgeny Svechnikov and Dominic Turgeon, who played key roles. “By the end of the year, these guys were coaching themselves,” Nelson said. “I’d give them a few pointers between periods, but they were practically echoing what I was saying. It got to the point where they knew what they had to do.” The addition of defenseman Dylan McIlrath late in the season provided the grit that the Griffins sorely needed for a long playoff run. “He played a physical game and came to us with a reputation where nobody wants to mess with him,” Nelson said. “It gave the rest of the guys the confidence where they could go out and play, and he was there to back them up. You saw how physical all the games were every series, and I don’t think we would have won the Cup without him. Everybody grew a couple of inches with Dylan on the ice.”
2 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
Good goaltending is necessary to win a Cup and, with the exception of a couple of first periods, Jared Coreau was steady throughout the postseason. “Jared made the saves he had to,” Nelson said. “If he had a game that wasn’t his best, he bounced back with an outstanding performance. He’d let the bad stuff go to the wayside and come in fresh for the next game. He did a good job of keeping his mental composure.” Nelson said one should not discount the support of the fans in Grand Rapids, a key factor in the Griffins’ 10-0 mark at home during the postseason. “They were incredible,” he said. “Everyone talked about how difficult it was to play in Syracuse, but we had the same support at Van Andel Arena. Our fans were very passionate and the city came out to support us. It’s Hockeytown West.” As proof, he points to the moment when Bertuzzi scored to tie the game in the third period of the decisive Game 6 against the Crunch. “When Bert scored to tie things up, the building just erupted,” he said. “From there, it gave our guys an extra step. They provided us with the will to win.” And although it’s players who win championships, Nelson also believes the team benefitted from the guidance of his coaching staff. “I am fortunate to have an outstanding group of coaches,” he said. “Bruce Ramsay did an outstanding job with the power play and had a good relationship with the defensive corps. Benny Simon pours through data like you can’t imagine and works extremely hard to make
sure our guys are prepared and know what to expect. “Mike Knuble has NHL experience – he won a Stanley Cup – and has been down this road before. Brian Mahoney-Wilson, our goaltending coach, did an excellent job all year for us, especially when Coreau was called up. All of our coaches know what it takes and they helped the guys who hadn’t won a championship understand that as well. “Now, as a group, we can all walk together as champions.” Nelson knows the current Griffins face a tremendous challenge. Entering the 2017-18 season as defending Calder Cup champions, the team will have a target on its back every night. “We’re going in with the mindset that our core philosophy doesn’t change,” he said. “We want to develop players to become Red Wings, and we want to do that within a winning culture.” The challenge to repeat is one that Nelson hopes his players will relish. “I like that we’re the top dog until somebody knocks us off that pedestal. Our goal is to get back to the playoffs and repeat. We’ll have a bit of a different look due to the loss of some players, but we hope to plug their spots with greater contributions from some of our younger guys and a few new additions.” Nelson is excited about what this season will bring. “It’s our job to put the pieces of the puzzle together as quickly as we can,” he said. “If we work hard and have good chemistry again, we can win a lot of hockey games and get back to the dance. Everybody’s excited. We have a swagger and hopefully we get off to a good start.”
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
SCOUTING REPORT
MANITOBA • When Grand Rapids’ 22nd season of play kicks off on Oct. 6, it will mark the Griffins’ first MANITOBA MOOSE game since winning the Calder Cup on June 13, 2017. Grand Rapids won all 10 of OCT. 6, OCT. 7, home PRIMARY MARK NOV. 24 its games inside Van Andel Arena during its championship run, becoming the fourth team in AHL history to win at least 10 straight home games in the same postseason, in addition to establishing franchise records for most home wins overall in a single postseason and consecutive home playoff victories. • Forward Eric Tangradi, who appeared in 91 games with the Winnipeg Jets between 2012-14, has feasted upon their AHL affiliate. Skating in six games against the Moose as a member of the Griffins, Tangradi has produced 15 points (7-8—15) and a plus-11 rating.
PANTONE 282 C
PANTONE 2945 C
PANTONE COOL GRAY 11
PANTONE 429 C
HERSHEY
OCT. 21
WHITE
• Since the Moose rejoined the AHL in 2015-16 following a four-year hiatus, the Griffins are 6-2 against their Central Division counterpart, including a 4-0 mark in games at Van Andel Arena. Grand Rapids and Manitoba have met 85 times since 1996-97 when both were members of the International Hockey League, and the Griffins lead the series (50-26-1-1-7). 2015-16
• Hershey’s visit marks the Bears’ first trip to West Michigan in nearly 12 years (Dec. 22, 2005). The Griffins are 6-0 all time against Hershey, which began play in the AHL in 1938-39 and is the oldest franchise on the circuit. • The Bears have made 23 appearances in the Calder Cup Finals, including their most recent in 2016 against champion Lake Erie, and have won 11 Calder Cups. • 2017 AHL Hall of Fame inductee and former Griffin Bryan Helmer serves as the Bears vice president of hockey operations. Helmer played in every game during his two-year stay in Grand Rapids from 2004-06, compiling 81 points (19-62—81) in 160 games, and he was named a Second Team AHL All-Star in 2005-06 while helping the Griffins capture that season’s regular season championship. A two-time Calder Cup champion with Hershey, Helmer concluded his 20-year pro career in 2013 and owns the AHL record for most games played, points and assists by a defenseman.
4 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
TUCSON
• This marks the Griffins’ inaugural game against the Roadrunners, who began AHL play in 2016-17 and are the primary affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes.
OCT. 25
• Tucson, the franchise formerly known as the Springfield Falcons, spent 22 seasons in Massachusetts before last season’s move west. • Grand Rapids last hosted a team from Arizona during its inaugural season on Jan. 11, 1997, when the IHL’s Phoenix Roadrunners defeated the Griffins 3-2 in a shootout.
CHICAGO
• Chicago overtook Grand Rapids in the Central Division standings on the final day of the 2016-17 regular season to claim its sixth division crown as an AHL member, but it was the Griffins who would get the last laugh by knocking out the Wolves in five games in the Central Division Finals on the way to their second Calder Cup in the last five seasons.
OCT. 27 NOV. 3
• Rocky Thompson was named the 10th head coach in Wolves history in June. Thompson is familiar with Griffins head coach Todd Nelson, as he served on Nelson’s staff as an assistant with the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons from 2010-14. Thompson was elevated to an assistant with the parent Edmonton Oilers for the 2014-15 campaign, a season that saw Nelson take over the NHL club on an interim basis in Dec. 2014. • After spending the last four seasons as the primary affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, the Wolves and Vegas Golden Knights, the NHL’s newest expansion franchise, announced a new affiliation over the summer. Chicago and Vegas also signed a multi-year ECHL partnership with Quad City, where longtime Griffins general manager Bob McNamara (1996-2011) serves as the Mallards’ president, GM and alternate governor. • The Griffins and Admirals were pitted against each other in the Central Division MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS MILWAUKEE
NOV. 5
PRIMARY MARK
Semifinals each of the last two postseasons, and both times Grand Rapids swept the best-of-five series. • En route to the Calder Cup last season, the Griffins twice claimed overtime wins against the Admirals, including the series-clinching victory in Game 3 at Milwaukee. • Entering 2017-18, the Griffins have played the Admirals more times (164) in the regular season than any other opponent since Grand Rapids’ inception in 1996. The Griffins are 85-59-7-6-7 all time against Milwaukee.
PANTONE 282 C
PANTONE 292 C
PANTONE COOL GRAY 4 C
2015-16
WHITE
SAN ANTONIO
NOV. 8
• When San Antonio comes rampaging into West Michigan, it will mark Grand Rapids’ 17th annual matinee game, as the Griffins have hosted a weekday game with an early start time every year since the 2001-02 season. Grand Rapids owns a 10-5-1-0 record (0.656) in home matinee games, including an entertaining 7-5 victory over Manitoba in last season’s rendition. • After being swept by the Rampage in all four meetings during the 2015-16 season, the Griffins turned the tables and won all four games between the Western Conference foes in the 2016-17 campaign while outscoring San Antonio 18-3. • First-year Griffin Turner Elson scored three points (1-2—3) and added 12 PIM as a member of the Rampage in 2016-17 while being limited to 13 games due to injury.
TEXAS STARS
TEXAS
PRIMARY MARK
NOV. 29
• The Griffins have either won or shared the season series against Texas every year since 2011-12 and are 23-10-1-2 all time against the Stars. • Despite splitting last season’s four-game series, the Griffins have won 11 of the last 13 overall against Texas, including a 10-game winning streak from Jan. 25, 2014-Nov. 16, 2016. The Stars’ victory at Van Andel Arena on Nov. 18, 2016 snapped both an eight-game home winning streak and a 10-game overall winning streak that Grand Rapids held in the series.
PANTONE 3425 C
METALLIC SILVER 877
PANTONE 877 C
PROCESS BLACK
WHITE
• Texas, which won the 2014 Calder Cup, missed the playoffs last year to snap a streak of four consecutive postseason bids. 2015-16
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
5
GRIFFINS ON THE GO New and improved Griffins app is designed to maximize the fan experience.
More content, more updates and a more satisfying method to get exactly the seats you desire are among the reasons why fans should download the latest Griffins app. Available free for iOS and Android mobile devices, the new and improved Griffins app was developed to enhance fans’ connections with the team and the players, whether a person is a casual or serious fan – that includes everyone from the young business professional to group leaders to devoted season ticket holders. “We did everything we could to design the app with the user in mind,” said Marissa Malson, the Griffins’ director of digital marketing. “We’ve taken it another level beyond a mobile website by incorporating a number of features that have been customized for Griffins fans.” Malson worked closely with Mighty in the Midwest, a Grand Rapids-based web and mobile design and development company, to create a customized roadmap for Griffins fans that would be both easy-to-use and engaging. One feature that was highly valued was the ticket-buying process. Fans no longer will have to settle for “best available” seats. With the new app, they can choose seats in a specific section and even get a general view from their desired location. “We think fans will find it a lot faster and easier to choose tickets in their preferred section,” Malson said. The new app is more interactive, with expanded bios and stats as well as postgame highlights and recaps. Fans can watch pregame videos or 6
listen to the radio broadcast through the app’s GameDay page. When push notifications are activated, fans can receive score game-day updates with realtime statistics, getting alerts every time a goal is scored as well as at the end of each period and the conclusion of the game. Fans can also upgrade their game-day experience, opting to ride the zamboni, enjoy a pre-game bench visit, watch warmups from the penalty box, or participate in the popular HighFive Alley and cheer players before they skate onto the ice. Sharing articles and video content also becomes easier with the new app. “We’ve tried to put everything at the fingertips of fans,” Malson said, noting that she anticipates the organization will continue to look for ways to improve the mobile experience for fans.
IT’S HAPPENING HERE Schedule an appointment with your new Metro Health - University of Michigan Health physician and you’ll gain access to an award-winning network of specialists, in case you ever need it.
metrohealth.net/family-practice
— THERE’S MORE TO A BENCH... THAN JUST ANOTHER PLACE TO SIT. Sitting on the players bench is a lot like sitting on The Rapid. You’re there for only a short time...and then you hop off and show the world what you’re made of. Public transportation can empower people and help build strong communities.
Tell us why you ride The Rapid 8
MORETOTHERIDE.ORG Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
All times Eastern. Dates, opponents and times subject to change.
Post-Game Open Skate Huntington Bank Post-Game Autograph Session Friends & Family 4-Pack Home Game Pepsi Reading Goals Redemption Date
CHI - Chicago CLE - Cleveland HER - Hershey IA - Iowa MIL - Milwaukee MB - Manitoba RFD - Rockford
SA - San Antonio SJ - San Jose STK - Stockton TEX - Texas TUC - Tucson WBS - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Games broadcast live on
PRIMARY AFFILIATE OF THE DETROIT RED WINGS
9 TO PURCHASE TICKETS OR FOR MORE INFO, Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 9 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS Calder Cup Champions VISIT GRIFFINSHOCKEY.COM OR• 2017 CALL 1.800.2.HOCKEY.
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’ first 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 drought and finally quenched Grand Rapids’ championship thirst by drinking from the first cup ever claimed by the city’s pro hockey team. Led by the likes of captain Jeff Hoggan 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 games 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 insignificant. It didn’t matter where that cup was won; we just wanted to win it. And the immediate reward for our players, Jeff Blashill and our other coaches was an intimate and unforgettable celebration during the flight 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 first-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 overflowing Van Andel Arena, being unable to hear yourself think and screaming at your lungs’ capacity as the final 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 of social media legend – and finally 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 and much of last season’s roster intact, and we look forward to vigorously defending our title. Here’s to another opportunity to add to our growing “family.” Sincerely,
Dan DeVos Chief Executive Officer Grand Rapids Griffins 10 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
2017 - 2018 SEASON
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.
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
Fear no forecast.
MICHELIN ® PILOT ® SPORT A/S 3+ REAL PERFORMANCE HAS NO OFF-SEASON. Copyright © 2016 Michelin North America, Inc. All rights reserved.
RHD Tire 800.632.8724 650 36TH ST SE WYOMING, MI 49548 www.RHDTIRE.COM
2017-18 AHL DIRECTORY EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION: Bridgeport, Charlotte, Hartford, Hershey, Lehigh Valley, Providence, Springfield, 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 Sabres 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: springfieldthunderbirds.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: Bakersfield, 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: griffinshockey.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: bakersfieldcondors.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
WHITE
NHL AFFILIATION: Minnesota Wild HOME ICE: Wells Fargo Arena (8,356) GENERAL MANAGER: Brent Flahr HEAD COACH: Derek Lalonde ENTERED AHL: 2013-14 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 0 of 4 2016-17 RECORD: 36-31-7-2, 81 pts./0.533 WEBSITE: iowawild.com 2015-16
MANITOBA M
PRIMARY MAR
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
PANTONE 429 C
WHITE
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
PRIMARY MAR
SAN JOSE BARRACUDA
NHL AFFILIATION: San Jose Sharks ONTARIO REIGN
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
WHITE
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 BARR
PANTONE 3155 C
PANTONE 429 C
PANTONE 152 C
STOCKTON
PROCESS BLACK
WHITE
PRIMARY MA
STOCKTON HEAT
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 2015-16
WHITE
PROCESS BLACK
ROCKFORD ICEHOGS
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 STA
PRIMARY MA 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
PANTONE 877 C
PROCESS BLACK
WHITE
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
PANTONE 1655 C
PANTONE MEDIUM BLUE C
PANTONE 5455 C
PROCESS BLACK
WHITE
2015-16
Eight teams in each conference will qualify for the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs.
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 finals, conference finals and Calder 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. Huntington congratulates the Grand Rapids Griffins on winning the 2017 Calder Cup. With hard work and commitment, you reached your goals.
® 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.
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 eight Griffins who made their NHL debuts with Detroit last season. That I-96 pipeline will continue flowing east until at least 2022 thanks to last summer’s five-year extension of the Griffins-Red Wings affiliation.
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 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, 2012-13 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, 2007-08 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 Griffins 16th Season ARENA Little Caesars Arena Seating Capacity: 20,000 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 Blashill Assistant Coaches: John Torchetti, Doug Houda, Pat Ferschweiler, Chris Chelios Asst. Coach/Video: Adam Nightingale Goaltending Coach: Jeff Salajko Strength & Conditioning Coach: Mike Kadar 19
We knew you could do it. Congratulations on the Calder Cup, Griffins. Here’s to another great season.
Proud Sponsor of the
RAISE YOUR EXPECTATIONS.
MEMBER FDIC. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY LENDER. 20 CBHQ-24856 09/17 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
FINS 2017-18NGALRSIF CHEDULE PROMOTIO
MARK YOUR CALENDAR OCT. 6 Opening Night presented by Huntington Bank/Magnet Schedule Giveaway
OCT. 7 Calendar Giveaway presented by Fox Motors OCT. 18 11th Annual Tip-A-Griffin at Uccello’s Restaurants, benefiting the Griffins Youth Foundation NOV. 3 Local First Night presented by Michigan First Credit Union/State of MichiganThemed Jersey Auction NOV. 5 Calder Cup Replica Banner Giveaway presented by DTE Energy NOV. 8 17th Annual Matinee Game presented by Rebounderz Extreme Fun Center/11 a.m. start OCT. 21 Oven Mitt Giveaway presented by Centennial Securities
NOV. 24 18th Annual Teddy Bear Toss presented by J&H Family Stores, benefiting Hug-A-Bears of Kent County
DEC. 1 Third Annual Red Kettle Game presented by The Salvation Army/Red Kettle Jersey Auction
OCT. 29 Griff’s IceHouse West Open House
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
21
DEC. 5 13th Annual Griffins & Sled Wings Sled Hockey Game at Griff’s IceHouse at Belknap Park, benefiting the Grand Rapids Sled Wings and the Griffins Youth Foundation DEC. 8 Salute to Heroes Night presented by JR Automation DEC. 13 Presented by Precision Heating and Cooling
JAN. 20 Social Media Night presented by Comerica Bank/Mini Calder Cup Giveaway
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. 24 Toy Night/Joe Hicketts Blockhead Giveaway FEB. 25 Fourth Annual Bring Your Dog Game presented by Nestlé Purina MARCH 2 Seventh Annual Purple Community Game presented by Van Andel Institute/Purple Jersey Auction
JAN. 20-21 15th Annual Great Ska te Winterfest at Rosa Parks Circle, benefiting the Griffins Youth Foundation
DEC. 15 Presented by MedExpress Urgent Care DEC. 16 Arcade Night/Championship Canvas Photo Giveaway presented by Fifth Third Bank DEC. 31 Celebration 21st Annual New Year’s Eve rance/ Insu eau Bur Farm by presented . start Post-Game Fireworks/6 p.m
JAN. 5 Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
JAN. 27 Championship Replica Ring Giveaway presented by Adventure Credit Union
JAN. 12 ‘80s Fauxback Night/FanDesigned Jersey Auction
JAN. 13 Comic Book Giveaways Superhero Night presented by Eikenhout/Scarf and
22 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
FEB. 25
MARCH 16 Baseball Night/Whitecaps-Themed Jersey Auction MARCH 17 Brian Lashoff Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Michigan Office Solutions MARCH 28 Presented by Brain Injury Association of Michigan MARCH 30 ‘90s Night presented by Spectrum Health Stroke Awareness APRIL 14 Season Finale presented by Huntington Bank/Friday Night Jersey Auction
MARCH 6 MARCH 3 Star Wars Night presented by DTE Energy
MARCH 3
MARCH 6 Seventh Annual Corks, Pucks & Brews at the Goei Center, benefiting Easterseals Michigan
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 Griffins D-Zone night. Avoid the concession lines and get your $2 beers and $2 hot dogs served to you in your seats. Call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2 or visit griffinshockey. com/dzone today to purchase a package of four or more D-Zone tickets for any Friday night game. Military Nights: Every home game, current members of our military can purchase up to four Upper Level 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. Hockey Night in Grand Rapids: For select Wednesday games (Dec. 13, Jan. 17, Feb. 7, March 28), show your Griffins ticket at participating Arena District restaurants and bars to enjoy Hockey Night
specials. Visit griffinshockey.com/hockeynight for participating establishments and more information. Winning Wednesdays: Presented by Farm Bureau Insurance, every time the Griffins win at home on Wednesday, each fan in attendance will receive a free ticket to the next Wednesday game. To redeem a Winning Wednesday ticket, please visit the box office following the Winning Wednesday game, The Zone during normal business hours, or the Van Andel Arena box office prior to the next Wednesday game beginning at 5:30 p.m. Fans who exchange their Winning Wednesday ticket at The Zone on a non-game day will receive 20% off the purchase of one item (excluding jerseys). One discount per person present. Post-Game Parties at Peppino’s: After every Wednesday game, join Griffins players and staff for the official post-game party at Peppino’s Sports Grille downtown. Library Nights: For all Wednesday and Sunday games (excluding New Year’s Eve), 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 incudes four tickets and $12 in concession cash for a great low price.
Visit griffinshockey.com/f4p or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2. Continuing this season, fans may use their concession cash to purchase healthy choice menu options at the stand located outside of section 125, including low-fat yogurt, apples, oranges, granola bars and smoothies. Pepsi Reading Goals: Children with Griff’s Reading Goals bookmarks who have completed the required three hours of reading can redeem their bookmark for two free Upper Level Faceoff tickets to any of the following games: Bookmark #1 – Nov. 5, 24 and 29; Dec. 13; Bookmark #2 – Feb. 7 and 25; March 14 and 28. Post-Game Open Skates: Oct. 6, Nov. 5, Dec. 31, Feb. 24, March 17 Huntington Bank Post-Game Autograph Sessions: Oct. 21, Dec. 16, Jan. 13 and 27, March 3 MOS Corner Office: Presented by Michigan Office Solutions, this section, located on the terrace level above section 118, provides the best seats in the house for groups of up to 30 people, with La-Z-Boy chairs and an array of unprecedented amenities. Call (616) 774-4585 ext. 4. J. Gardella’s Sliders and Beer Special: Available on select tickets, take your used Griffins 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 Griffins 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 GRIFFINSHOCKEY.COM. Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
23
ROAD TO THE CUP II MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS PRIMARY MARK
Central Division Semifinals (best of five)
Game 1 - April 21 - Griffins 4, Milwaukee 3 (OT) Game 2 - April 23 - Griffins 5, Milwaukee 2 Game 3 - April 26 - Griffins 3, Milwaukee 2 (OT)
Griffins vs. Milwaukee Admirals
The Griffins swept Milwaukee in three games for the second straight year, but not before the Admirals twice extended the action to overtime. Tomas Nosek scored the game-winner 9:32 into overtime in the series opener, after Matt Lorito had tied the score at 3-3 midway into the final period on a rebound off Tyler Bertuzzi’s point-blank try. Bertuzzi scored twice and netminder Jared Coreau stopped 23 of 25 shots to push the Griffins to a Game 2 win that also saw goals from Axel Holmstrom and Eric Tangradi.
Nathan Paetsch became the organization’s all-time leader in playoff appearances in Game 1.
24
Dominic Turgeon and Colin Campbell (l-r) displayed epic penalty-killing abilities against the Admirals.
bold = home
PANTONE 282 C
Kyle Criscuolo tipped a feed from Dan Renouf past Admirals goalie Marek Mazanec 10:03 into overtime to give the Griffins a three-game sweep of the division semifinals and propel Grand Rapids into the second round for a franchise-record fifth consecutive year. Coreau was again rock solid in net, stopping 41 of 43 shots while Lorito repeated his first-game heroics with another goal that eliminated an Admirals lead. Nosek tallied his second goal of the series and Evgeny Svechnikov chipped in two assists. PANTONE 292 C
PANTONE COOL GRAY 4 C
WHITE
2015-16
Tyler Bertuzzi (center) celebrates a goal with teammates Matt Ford and Kyle Criscuolo during Game 2 against Milwaukee.
Matt Lorito showed a knack for scoring important goals in the Griffins’ playoff run.
A PICTORIAL ESSAY BY MARK NEWMAN
Martin Frk (center) scored during his first shift back from an injury that delayed his postseason.
Jared Coreau shut down the Wolves, who tied the Griffins for most goals scored among Western Conference teams during the regular season.
Mitch Callahan scored the Griffins’ only hat trick of the playoffs in Game 4 of the series against Chicago.
Tomas Nosek and Dylan McIlrath celebrate one of the goals that helped eliminate division champ Chicago in five games.
Central Division Finals (best of seven)
Griffins vs. Chicago Wolves
Game 1 - May 3 - Griffins 4, Chicago 1 Game 2 - May 5 - Chicago 7, Griffins 3 Game 3 - May 6 - Griffins 4, Chicago 2 Game 4 - May 8 - Griffins 6, Chicago 3 Game 5 - May 13 - Griffins 5, Chicago 2 bold = home
Playing his first game of the postseason after recovering from an injury, Martin Frk wasted little time making his presence known, scoring a goal 40 seconds into the series opener against the Wolves, then adding an assist on a power play goal by Matt Ford at the 8:07 mark to solidify a lead the Griffins would never relinquish. In Game 2, three first-period goals by the Wolves proved too much for the visitors to overcome, tying the series at a game apiece. Game 3 saw the Griffins turn
the tables on Chicago, scoring three straight goals (Ford, Ben Street and Bertuzzi) in the opening period. Joe Hicketts, who assisted on Street’s tally, notched his first goal to put the game away. Mitch Callahan was the hero in Game 4, recording the only hat trick of the Griffins’ 2017 playoff run, while Svechnikov added three assists. The Griffins eliminated the Wolves 5-2 on the strength of two goals by Bertuzzi. Nosek and Criscuolo each contributed a goal and an assist.
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
25
ROAD TO THE CUP II Western Conference Finals (best of seven)
SAN JOSE BARRACUDA PRIMARY MARK
Griffins vs. San Jose Barracuda
Game 1 - May 20 - Griffins 3, San Jose 1 Game 2 - May 21 - San Jose 4, Griffins 2 Game 3 - May 24 - Griffins 4, San Jose 2 Game 4 - May 26 - Griffins 6, San Jose 2 Game 5 - May 27 - Griffins 4, San Jose 2 bold = home
PANTONE 3155 C
PANTONE 429 C
PANTONE 152 C
PROCESS BLACK
WHITE
2015-16
A pair of first-period assists by Tangradi on goals by Callahan and Street gave the Griffins an early 2-0 lead in Game 1, which helped the Griffins seize home-ice with a series-opening victory over the Western Conference’s regular season champs. Three power-play goals and an empty-netter gave San Jose a 4-2 victory in Game 2, but the Griffins came back home to take Game 3. For the third time in the playoffs, Lorito notched a third-period goal
to erase a lead, before Callahan recorded the gamewinner with 3:40 remaining in the contest. The Griffins powered past the Barracuda in a penaltyfilled Game 4. In Game 5, defenseman Brian Lashoff ’s first goal of the playoffs put Grand Rapids on the board first and the Griffins never looked back to seal the series, thanks to a steady Coreau, who stopped 39 of 41 shots. Lorito recorded two more goals and Nosek added two assists.
Mitch Callahan (left) and Eric Tangradi react to the Griffins’ decisive goal late in the third period of Game 3.
Jared Coreau helped the Griffins eliminate their third team of the playoffs by stopping 39 of 41 shots in Game 5 against San Jose.
26
Brian Lashoff’s first goal of the playoffs gave the Griffins a lead they never relinquished in Game 5.
The Griffins displayed considerable firepower while holding the Barracuda to two goals or less in four of their five playoff contests.
EVERY SITUATION IS UNIQUE. WHY SHOULDN’T YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE BE?
616.531.1900 | bhsins.com Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
27
ROAD TO THE CUP II 2017 Calder Cup Finals (best of seven)
Griffins vs. Syracuse Crunch
Game 1 - June 2 - Griffins 3, Syracuse 2 Game 2 - June 3 - Griffins 6, Syracuse 5 (2OT) Game 3 - June 7 - Syracuse 5, Griffins 3 Game 4 - June 9 - Griffins 3, Syracuse 2 Game 5 - June 10 - Syracuse 5, Griffins 1 Game 6 - June 13 - Griffins 4, Syracuse 3 bold = home
For the second time in five seasons, the Griffins and Crunch squared off in the Calder Cup Finals. Two goals by Nosek, including the game-winner on the power play with 14 seconds left in regulation, gave the Griffins an exhilarating 3-2 come-from-behind win over the Eastern Conference champions in the series opener. Game 2 was a marathon contest, with Street scoring the game-winning goal 7:02 into the second overtime. The Griffins’ power play struck for the 13th consecutive game, with Frk, Svechnikov and Nosek all lighting the lamp with the man-advantage. In Game 3, three first-period goals by Syracuse were too much for the Griffins to overcome, but two goals by defenseman Dan Renouf in Game 4 put Grand Rapids within a
win of its second Cup. Coreau stopped 31 of 33 shots to earn the game’s first star. The Crunch, however, rebounded in Game 5, blistering the Griffins with five first-period goals. But the Griffins came from behind three times in Game 6 to snap Syracuse’s hopes. Playoff MVP Bertuzzi tied the game 3-3 at the 3:30 mark of the third period, then Frk scored the game-winner with 7:19 left in the contest. Coreau stopped 29 shots, including a game-saver in the closing seconds. With a perfect 10-0 playoff record at home, Griffins earned their second championship in the organization’s 21-year history, becoming just the fifth active AHL franchise to claim multiple Calder Cup titles. Tomas Nosek jumps into the arms of Martin Frk after helping the Griffins notch the first of three comeback victories against Syracuse.
Eric Tangradi (left) and Ben Street celebrate the latter’s game-winning goal in the second overtime of Game 2. 28
Jared Coreau makes a big pad save while Dylan McIlrath moves to negate a potential rebound attempt
Kyle Criscuolo and the Griffins refused to be overpowered by the bigger Syracuse team.
Eric Tangradi does his best to outwork his Crunch opponent for control of the puck.
29
ROAD TO THE CUP II Nathan Paetsch works his way through two Crunch defenders.
Dan Renouf scored a pair of goals in Game 4 against Syracuse.
Tyler Bertuzzi accepts the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy, which is presented annually to the MVP of the Calder Cup Playoffs. 31
UNLEASH YOUR MVP
5 LOCATIONS!
VISIT MVPSPORTSCLUBS.COM TODAY!
ROAD TO THE CUP II Griffins captain Nathan Paetsch accepts the Calder Cup trophy from AHL President and CEO Dave Andrews.
The Griffins spray champagne in honor of their second Calder Cup title in five seasons.
33
The Calder Cup crisscrossed the U.S. and Canada this summer, as each North American Griffins player and coach was able to celebrate the organization’s second AHL championship during his own day with the treasured trophy. ABOVE: The Cup began its journey with a parade through the downtown streets of Grand Rapids.
MILES
RIGHT: Jared Coreau celebrated with family and friends in his hometown of Perth, Ont. BELOW: Calder Cup Playoff MVP Tyler Bertuzzi epitomized the dogged determination that earned the Griffins another championship title.
Mitch Callahan assembled his Californian clan to celebrate the arrival of the Cup on the West Coast.
34
OF SMILES The Cup sailed into Stamford, Conn., courtesy of Kyle Criscuolo, who found that sipping from the trophy was rather sweet.
35 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
Kamloops, B. C., never looked better, thanks to Joe Hicketts.
Matt Ford dunked his son Bennett with the help of his father.
The Cup made a visit to Griffins assistant coach Mike Knuble’s hockey camp.
36
Cal Heeter brought the Cup to the famous Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
Bob Kaser (lower left) delivered the Cup to the board of directors of Kids’ Food Basket.
Matt Lorito, Dan Renouf and Colin Campbell (l-r) spent a night in downtown Toronto with the Cup.
Eric Tangradi celebrated an uplifting moment with his family.
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
37
Robbie Russo greeted a large group of well-wishers and the Calder Cup in the Chicago suburbs.
Dylan McIlrath shared the Cup with some of the staff at the Winnipeg Children’s Hospital.
38
Ben Street and his wife welcomed the latest addition to the family.
The Cup relaxed by a Colorado pool with an off-camera Dominic Turgeon.
Calder comes home! Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
39
2017
2018
39
21 TYLER BERTUZZI Forward 6-1, 200 lbs. Born: 2/24/95 Sudbury, Ont.
47
45 MIKE BORKOWSKI Forward 6-0, 185 lbs. Born: 4/23/92 Ottawa, Ont.
15 COREY ELKINS
Forward 6-2, 220 lbs. Born: 2/23/85 West Bloomfield, Mich.
27
TURNER ELSON
Forward 6-0, 195 lbs. Born: 9/13/92 New Westminster, B.C.
Forward 6-0, 200 lbs. Born: 10/5/93 Pelhrimov, Czech Republic
Defenseman 5-8, 180 lbs. Born: 5/4/96 Kamloops, B.C.
Goaltender 6-6, 220 lbs. Born: 11/5/91 Perth, Ont.
55 LUKE ESPOSITO
MATTHEW FORD
Forward 5-10, 183 lbs. Born: 10/18/93 Greenwich, Conn.
25 JOE HICKETTS
JARED COREAU
Forward 6-1, 200 lbs. Born: 4/17/91 Toronto, Ont.
19
2 MARTIN FRK
31 COLIN CAMPBELL
AXEL HOLMSTROM
Forward 6-0, 198 lbs. Born: 6/29/96 Arvidsjaur, Sweden
40 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
Forward 6-1, 214 lbs. Born: 10/9/84 West Hills, Calif.
13 FILIP HRONEK
Defenseman 6-0, 170 lbs. Born: 11/2/97 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
2017 CALDER CUP CHAMPIONS – GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS Conor Allen Tyler Bertuzzi Mike Borkowski Mitch Callahan Colin Campbell Daniel Cleary Kyle Criscuolo Matthew Ford Martin Frk
Joe Hicketts Axel Holmstrom Filip Hronek Brian Lashoff Matt Lorito Dylan McIlrath Tomas Nosek Nathan Paetsch Dan Renouf
Robbie Russo Dylan Sadowy Ben Street Evgeny Svechnikov Eric Tangradi Dominic Turgeon Jared Coreau (G) Cal Heeter (G) Eddie Pasquale (G)
when your is on the line
PROUD SPONSOR OF GRIFFINS HOCKEY
18
34
28 BRIAN LASHOFF
MATT LORITO
Defenseman 6-3, 221 lbs. Born: 7/16/90 Albany, N.Y.
30
Forward 5-9, 171 lbs. Born: 7/3/90 Oakville, Ont.
52 TOM McCOLLUM
Defenseman 6-0, 195 lbs. Born: 2/15/93 Westmont, Ill.
10
VILI SAARIJARVI
Defenseman 5-10, 163 lbs. Born: 5/15/97 Rovaniemi, Finland
Forward 5-11, 200 lbs. Born: 2/13/87 Coquitlam, B.C.
EVGENY SVECHNIKOV
Forward 6-1, 205 lbs. Born: 10/31/96 Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia
PATRICK McCARRON Defenseman 6-3, 201 lbs. Born: 8/13/94 Toronto, Ont.
20
ZACH NASTASIUK
DAN RENOUF
Forward 6-1, 200 lbs. Born: 3/30/95 Barrie, Ont.
29
77 BEN STREET
37
Defenseman 6-5, 236 lbs. Born: 4/20/92 Winnipeg, Man.
9 ROBBIE RUSSO
Goaltender 6-2, 187 lbs. Born: 7/25/93 Opava, Czech Republic
DYLAN McILRATH
Goaltender 6-2, 215 lbs. Born: 12/7/89 Sanborn, N.Y.
5
12 MATEJ MACHOVSKY
Defenseman 6-3, 205 lbs. Born: 6/1/94 Ajax, Ont.
65 DYLAN SADOWY
DOMINIK SHINE
Forward 6-1, 205 lbs. Born: 4/2/96 Brampton, Ont.
26
Forward 5-11, 175 lbs. Born: 4/18/93 Pinckney, Mich.
23 ERIC TANGRADI
Forward 6-4, 230 lbs. Born: 2/10/89 Philadelphia, Pa.
DOMINIC TURGEON
Forward 6-2, 201 lbs. Born: 2/25/96 Pointe-Claire, Que. 41
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
His Cup Runneth Over
Matt Ford enjoyed a storybook year as he welcomed a new baby, a new team, and a new trophy into his life. Story and photos by Mark Newman 42 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
“Winning isn’t everything – it’s the only “The passion that my dad has for the game thing” is a quote often attributed to Vince was instilled in me at an early age,” Ford said. Lombardi, head coach of the Green Bay Packers “When my dad was still playing semi-pro hockey, in the 1960s, but it’s a philosophy that has been I was running around with a mini stick in the endorsed and embraced by coaches and players locker room after the games.” in all sports. The Fords, it appears, were always super At the age of 33, Matt Ford knows what competitive. “At a very young age, everything winning is all about. After being part of national turned into a game, so to this day, my dad never championships in high school and college, Ford lets me score,” he said. “Whenever I go back, helped the Griffins capture their second Calder other players give me a hard time because I Cup in five seasons. probably go harder Although drafted in those games by the Chicago than I even do in Blackhawks in 2004, practice here.” Ford has spent his His parents – his entire professional dad and mother career in the (Kasey) both minor leagues, worked for the never getting an airlines – always opportunity at cheered his efforts. the NHL beyond “Being an only a handful of child, my parents exhibition games. provided me “As a kid, my goal with unbelievable was always to play opportunities to get in the NHL,” Ford where I am today,” said in the dressing Ford said. “Both of room following them worked long the Red Wings’ hours and as soon annual Red and as they got home, White Game this we’d jump in the fall. “After winning car and drive across the Calder Cup, I Los Angeles to play wondered if I would hockey. Sometimes be willing to trade we would fly that experience for out of state for a few games in the tournaments. I owe NHL, and I don’t everything to them.” think I would trade He left California Ford feels like he has found a new home in Grand Rapids. it for anything. to attend ShattuckThat’s how special it was.” St. Mary’s Prep, a boarding school in Minnesota That admission speaks to his love of the sport, that is well-known for its hockey program. As a a feeling that was passed on to him while he was senior, his teammates included future NHLers growing up in California. Jack Johnson and Drew Stafford, as well as a His grandfather, Bill, grew up playing hockey 15-year-old sophomore from Cole Harbour, in Glencoe, Ontario. “He had four boys who all Nova Scotia, named Sidney Crosby. played hockey and when they were still young, he “At that age in high school, none of us knew if moved his family from Toronto to Los Angeles,” we were going to play Division I hockey, let alone Ford recalled. “He was a big part of starting the play in the National Hockey League, and here youth hockey program there.” was this young kid who was getting hyped as the His father, John, played goalie for the semi-pro next Wayne Gretzky,” Ford said. Los Angeles Bruins and still puts on the pads at “It was obvious that he was the real deal. the age of 62. Playing on the same line, I probably learned as 43
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
much from this 15-year-old as some of the pros “We had really good leadership and I learned with whom I later played. Obviously he had a ton how to play the right way, how to be a good of skill, but you also saw how hard he worked. He teammate,” he continued. “The ultimate goal was was a competitor. to win a national championship – that’s why I “It was easy playing with him because you went to Wisconsin – and being part of one was could throw a puck anywhere within 10 feet of pretty special.” him, and he’d catch it going full speed. Even at a In 2006, Ford’s sophomore season at young age, you could see there was something Wisconsin, the Badgers defeated Boston College special about him.” 2-1 in the championship game to claim the Ford’s Shattuck-St. Mary’s squad captured NCAA title. Among the members of that team the 2003 USA Hockey Midget AAA national was current Griffins center Ben Street. championship in Laurel, Md. A successful When Street made a recruiting trip to the season at the junior level followed, with Ford college from his home in British Columbia, it was being named USHL Rookie of the Year when Ford who guided him around campus. The two he recorded 68 points (37 goals, 31 assists) in 60 played three years together and became good games for the Sioux Falls Stampede. friends. Over the years, they stood up in each He was chosen by the Chicago Blackhawks in other’s weddings, bought homes blocks apart in the eighth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft Chicago, and became parents for the first time the following June. within months of each other. “The Blackhawks were probably my dad’s It was Ford, in fact, who convinced Street to favorite team growing up, so it was pretty exciting join him in Grand Rapids, giving them their first to be drafted by opportunity to play an Original Six together since college. team with so much While the history,” Ford said. undrafted Street has “They were still enjoyed several callstruggling at the time, ups to the NHL, Ford so they had a ton of has not. Although draft picks – I was he had been drafted their 16th pick – but by Chicago, the I don’t think I was Blackhawks never ready, not even for inked his name to the AHL at the time.” a contract. “It was Ford was recruited disappointing to to play hockey at never sign with the University of them, but at the end Wisconsin, where of the day, things he learned to adjust worked out for to a new role. me,” Ford said. “I had always been Ford started his more of an offensive pro career with the player, but I had to Charlotte Checkers play more of a depth in the ECHL, where role due to how he had to prove much skill we had that he could be a on the team,” he said, useful pro. “I’ve had noting that fully half to earn everything of the Badger team along the way, but – 10 skaters plus I’m grateful for every goalie Brian Elliott opportunity I’ve been – would eventually given,” he said. play in the NHL. He split his Ford added a Calder Cup to his NCAA and 2008-09 rookie Midget AAA championships. 44
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
season mostly between Charlotte and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. He tallied 21 goals in 28 ECHL contests but registered only one goal in 30 games at the AHL level. The following year, he appeared in three more games in the ECHL but showed he could contribute in the AHL by recording 13 goals and 14 assists for the Lake Erie Monsters. “During my professional career, I’ve had different priorities at different times,” he said. “When I was young, it was about making it in the American Hockey League. It took me almost a full season in the East Coast league, but I made Lake Erie the next year out of camp on a tryout and played a couple of seasons in Cleveland.” Ford worked his way into becoming a prospect, albeit an older one. “I kept re-adjusting my goals,” he said. “My next goal was to give myself a chance to play in the NHL, and Washington gave me that opportunity by signing me to my first NHL contract. I eventually moved on to Philadelphia’s organization because I kept pursuing that goal.” After Lake Erie, Ford played for the Hershey Bears, Adirondack Phantoms and Springfield Falcons. Eventually, he would play for nine different teams in nine seasons. “I kept looking for new opportunities,” he said. “As I got older, the goal turned into putting myself into situations at the AHL level where I could win and things would be good for my family.” He ended up in Oklahoma City for the 2013-14 season
because it put him closer to his wife, Cassie, who was living in Dallas at the time. He had heard good things about the Barons’ coach, Todd Nelson, who was entering his fourth season in Oklahoma City. “I was looking for something new again,” he said. “I needed a change and every time I asked other players about Todd Nelson, I heard nothing but rave reviews, so I was excited when they gave me a chance to stay in the AHL.” Ford came away impressed by Nelson’s ability to turn a struggling team into a playoffqualifying unit. “He showed a ton of patience with the young guys,” Ford said. “He let guys make mistakes, but by the end of the year, we had a pretty good run to make the playoffs. From the way we started the season to the way we finished was completely different.” Ford was excited to return to the Barons for a second season, but 25 games into the year, Nelson became the interim head coach of the Edmonton Oilers. “Selfishly, I would have loved if Nellie had stayed in Oklahoma City, but you’re always happy when another player or coach gets the opportunity to go up to the NHL.” When the Barons became the Bakersfield Condors two seasons ago, Ford was excited to get the chance to play in his home state, but after one season there, he found himself again hungering for a new setting. He wanted to play for an organization that preached winning. He knew just the place. Coming to Grand Rapids appealed to him because he could rejoin Nelson, his former coach who
Ford played for seven AHL teams before the Griffins.
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
45
Ford was an integral part of the Griffins’ penalty kill and power play last season.
was beginning his second season as the head coach of the Griffins. The winning philosophy espoused by the Red Wings organization was equally attractive. “Both Grand Rapids and Detroit have had some really good teams in recent years, so when I joined this organization, I came here with the idea that this would give me the best chance to win, which I felt was the ultimate reason to make the move,” he said. Ford injured himself during the first day of practice and sat out the first month of the season with a lower body injury. “You want to put your best foot forward when you’re with a new team and I felt like I was on the outside looking in,” he said. “But from Day 1, you could tell we had a special group.” When Ford finally got back into action, he wasted little time in establishing a place in the lineup. He eventually settled into playing on the team’s fourth line with Colin Campbell and rookie Dominic Turgeon. He also filled a net-front position on one of the Griffins’ power play units and was one of the team’s key penalty killers. “Nellie is really good at finding the right
minutes for players,” Ford said. “He knows how to put players in a position to have success.” Ford relished his time on the fourth line. “Playing with Turgeon and Campbell down the stretch, our mindset was to be the best fourth line in the AHL,” he said. “No matter the line we were playing against, we were going to be tough. In the end, Nellie had us going against Syracuse’s top line.” His first season with the Griffins was memorable to say the least. A couple of months before coming to Grand Rapids, Ford and his wife welcomed the birth of their son, Bennett. “We’d been excited about becoming parents for a long time,” said Ford, who celebrated his fifth anniversary with Cassie a day after Bennett’s first birthday this past June. “Obviously, I knew life would never be the same, but it’s all for the better. Having him around has been really enjoyable.” He hopes he will someday have the same influence on Bennett that his father had on him. “I’ll never push it on Bennett, but if he has the same itch and develops the same passion to play hockey, I think that would be pretty special,” Ford said. “He has fun already going into our locker room with the boys, and I think it’ll be fun to see
46 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
him running around with a mini stick, hitting the guys in the shins this year.” Ford jokes that he came to Grand Rapids because he would no longer be the old guy, deferring that honor to then-captain Nathan Paetsch, who was 18 months his elder and would become someone from whom he learned much. “He was a unifying force and really brought our team together,” Ford said. “He treated everyone the same, whether you were a 30-goal scorer or one of the extras. He talked to guys so they knew their roles, and he knew how to keep them going even when they were down.” Ford felt the Griffins had the makings of something special. “From the get-go, we knew we had a good team, from the veterans who had been through it all to a group of rookies who were really mature,” he said. “As a whole, we pushed each other, which made for an exciting year.” Like many of his teammates, Ford managed to elevate his play during the Griffins’ pursuit of the Calder Cup. He scored eight goals in 19 games, matching the total tallied by his pal Street, and his six power play goals led the league. Ford played a pivotal role in the decisive Game
6 of the Calder Cup Finals. With the Griffins down 1-0 late in the first period, he delivered a big hit on Syracuse’s Adam Erne that was a momentum changer, then he scored the Griffins’ first goal on the power play in the opening minute of the second period. “We talked as a group how we wanted to be physical without retaliating,” he said. “When we were able to get under a team’s skin was when we got it going. One of the reasons I think we won is that we were able to frustrate Syracuse a little bit.” It was fitting that Ford’s big goal came on the power play. “We knew we could beat teams 5-on5, so if we won special teams, we knew we would win the game,” he said. “When I got the puck on my tape in the slot, I knew the whole time I was going to shoot. Their goalie may have robbed me later, but I managed to get that one by him.” The Griffins scored twice in the third period to win the game and capture the coveted Calder Cup. It was the team’s third come-from-behind victory in the Finals and its sixth comeback overall in the playoffs. “There was never any panic,” he said. “We knew we had the guys there to get it done. There was a confidence within the group all year. It was
47 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
one guy after another… I could list every guy on the team. Winning the Cup doesn’t happen without the whole group.” Ford will never forget being on the ice for the closing seconds of the game. “That was the biggest moment I’ve ever been in – it was crazy,” he said. “I’ve played in bigger buildings, but that was the loudest I’ve ever experienced. You could feel every single fan out of the nearly 11,000 in attendance. “At the same time, there was so much focus within our team that there was a sense of calm, even when there was that scramble in front of the net in the closing seconds. Just talking about it puts a smile on my face.” Last season saw Ford play his 500th AHL game, an achievement that he embraces. “The
AHL is a really good hockey league, and I take great pride that I’ve been able to play in it as long as I have,” he said. “I think I still have a good handful of years left in me.” He is content, knowing his chance to play in the NHL has likely passed. “You have to be ready when opportunity knocks, and I think I missed my chance at that window in time,” he said. “I may always have a small regret that I don’t have an NHL game in my books, but I thought about it after we won the Cup this year and I couldn’t be happier. “Grand Rapids so far represents only one year in my whole pro career, but with the amount of memories we’ve already made, we feel like we’ve found a new home.”
Ford has played more than 500 games at the AHL level. 48 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
HOLLAND LITHO TRIPLE THREAT
DIGITAL. CONVENTIONAL. DIRECT MAIL.
Celebrating 60 Years
Founded in 1957, HLPS has developed into a leading provider of superior print products and marketing materials.
1957–2017
800.652.6567
www.hollandlitho.com
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
49
infoGRIFFics
A look at some facts and figures that defined the CUP C 2017 CALDER 2017 Calder Cup Champions Conor Joe Hic Photos:Allen AHL, Sam Iannamico, Mark Newman
• Team since Hershey in 1974 to win four onegoal games in the Calder Cup Finals • Team since Hershey in 2006 to defeat three division champions in the playoffs
• Team ever to advance to the second round of the playoffs in each of the four seasons that followed a Calder Cup championship (Cleveland in the 1940s) • Team since 2005 to reach the second round of the playoffs in five consecutive years (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton)
• Active franchise to win two Calder Cups in a span of five seasons (Hershey, Rochester) • Conference finals appearance in the last five seasons (2013, 2015, 2017)
Tyler Bertuzzi Axel Ho Mike Borkowski Filip Hr Mitch Callahan Brian La Colin Campbell Matt Lo Daniel Cleary Dylan M • Team ever to • Active franchise to Kyle Criscuolo Tomas N forge a 10-game claim multiple Calder Matthew Ford home winning Cup titles (Chicago,Nathan streak in aMartin single Frk Hershey, Lehigh Valley/ Dan Re postseason (finished 10-0)
Philadelphia, Rochester)
• Consecutive home win when their opponent faced playoff elimination (June 13, 2017)
Since 2013, the Griffins… • Have played (15) and won (12) more playoff series and have played (78) and won (49) more playoff games than any AHL team. • Have posted a 12-3 record in playoff series and a 49-29 record in playoff games. During that time frame, the rest of the Central Division is 7-11 in series and 33-42 in games. 50
Eric Tangradi set the Griffins’ single-season playoff record with 17 assists, surpassing Jiri Hudler’s 16 from 2006.
Brian Lashoff is the only current Griffin who was part of the championship teams in both 2013 and 2017.
Jared Coreau tied the Griffins’ single-season playoff record with 15 wins, matching the 2013 total of Petr Mrazek.
Dan DeVos brought a third sports championship to Grand Ben Simon, who earned his first Calder Cup as a Rapids, including the ArenaBowl XV title won by the forward with Chicago in 2002, hoisted it again as an Rampage of the Arena Football League in 2001. assistant coach.
Tyler Bertuzzi, the Griffins’ all-time playoff leader with 23 goals and eight game-winning goals, tied Grand Rapids’ singleseason playoff record with 50 penalty minutes. He became the first player since Norfolk’s Alexandre Picard in 2012 to both win the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as playoff MVP and lead the league in postseason PIM. Todd Nelson (pictured right, with his brother Jeff) became the third person ever to win the Calder Cup as a player (1994 Portland), assistant coach (2008 Chicago) and head coach, joining Bob Woods and Mike Stothers.
51 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
NEW TEAMS,
NEW EXCITEMENT The Belleville Senators and Laval Rocket hope to experience the same enthusiasm that welcomed the Grand Rapids Griffins 21 seasons ago. 52 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
A new season brings new excitement and new hopes for success for every hockey club. For some teams, that enthusiasm is borne out of a new arena. In Michigan, hockey fans have to look no further than the opening of Little Caesars Arena, which will serve as the home of the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons and countless other sports, entertainment and community events. Built at a cost of $863 million, the multipurpose arena in midtown Detroit will anchor a new $2.1 billion, 50-block sports and entertainment district that promises to revitalize the surrounding downtown area around the Cass Corridor, Ford Field and Comerica Park. The new building replaces Joe Louis Arena, where the Red Wings had played since the 1979-80 season, and includes a four-story retail and restaurant area, practice ice surface and enough amenities to please fans and players alike. In the AHL, there is a similar buzz around two new entries: one franchise that will be playing in a brand new arena, and the other in an older facility that is undergoing a complete renovation to be brought up to the times.
Current Griffins head coach Todd Nelson was the first player signed by the new Grand Rapids franchise.
The AHL arrival of the Laval Rocket and Belleville Senators brings back fond memories for Griffins head coach Todd Nelson and assistant coach Bruce Ramsay, both of whom played for Grand Rapids during the 1996-97 inaugural season in Van Andel Arena. Nelson, of course, was the first player ever signed by the Griffins, while Ramsay joined the organization a month into the season to add an element of toughness to a team that would qualify for the Turner Cup Playoffs. “I’ll never forget the excitement,” Nelson said. “I thought I knew Grand Rapids because I had played a couple of seasons in Muskegon, but my last year there was in 1992. The downtown area here really didn’t begin to take its present shape until the arena was built in 1996.” Nelson still remembers standing on the dirt floor of Van Andel Arena, which was still under construction when he was introduced as the first Griffins signee at a press conference on July 24, 1996. “Detroit is now witnessing the same thing that GR experienced when the new arena opened here,” Nelson said. “You see a resurgence of interest in the area with all of its entertainment options. It creates a pulse downtown that has a
Bruce Ramsay joined the Griffins one month into the team’s first season.
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
53
Construction workers put seats into Van Andel Arena before the 1996-97 season. The Griffins would put fans into the same seats, selling out 39 of 41 home games.
positive effect on every facet of the operation, from the players to the fans.” Ramsay said it was thrill to play in front of a big crowd every night. “The excitement was unbelievable,” he said. “We were selling out every game and it was incredible to see 10,834 people every night in a beautiful new building. I remember getting called up and I was so excited to play my first game in front of a crowd that size.” Having signed a tryout contract, Ramsay figured he might be in Grand Rapids for a two-week stint. “It ended up being three years,” he said. “The excitement within the city that first year was incredible and I can’t say enough what it meant. “I met my wife (Jennifer) the first night I was here and we’ve been together ever since. Todd Nelson and I became best of friends. So many of the guys from that team – Travis Richards, Matt Ruchty and Don McSween – still live in Grand Rapids because they loved the city so much. It was an amazing year.” Nelson agreed that inaugural season will always be one to remember. “We had a very special group of guys, the sport was incredible and the crowds were
unbelievable,” he said. “The people of Grand Rapids were hungry for the return of hockey and (general manager) Bob McNamara put together a rag-tag bunch of free agents who came together as a team. We became one of the hottest teams after Christmas and, although we lost to Orlando in the first round of the playoffs, I think it gave the fans a taste of what was to come in the future.” The Canadian cities of Laval (Quebec) and Belleville (Ontario) hope to generate the same kind of excitement that Grand Rapids experienced 21 seasons ago. Laval, a northern suburb of Montreal with a population of 422,000, is the new home of the franchise that was previously based out of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador known as the St. John’s IceCaps. A name-the-team contest produced Rocket, which is a tribute to Canadiens legend Maurice “Rocket” Richard, a member of eight Stanley Cup winning teams who was the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in one season and the first to reach 500 goals in a career. Richard retired in 1960 as the league’s all-time leader in goals with 544. The Rocket will play their home games at the 10,000-seat Place Bell, which began construction
54 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
in late 2014 and was completed this year at a cost of $200 million (CAD). The team has retained the services of Sylvain Lefebvre as head coach, a position he has held since 2012 when the franchise played in the AHL as the Hamilton Bulldogs. Belleville, meanwhile, will be welcoming a professional team for the first time. The city was home to the Ontario Hockey League’s Belleville Bulls from 1981 to 2015. Ottawa’s AHL affiliate had resided in Binghamton, N.Y., since the 2002-03 AHL season, even winning the Calder Cup in 2011. The relocated Senators, who will once again be led by head coach Kurt Kleinendorst, will play in Belleville’s Yardmen Arena, which is undergoing more than $18.5 million in renovations after the Ottawa organization and city agreed on an eightyear deal to put the team in Belleville. “Our city has a long and storied history with junior hockey, but today we welcome professional hockey to Belleville and our soonto-be renovated Yardmen Arena,” said Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher. “Geographically, our relative proximity to the nation’s capital makes this a tremendously exciting partnership that will undoubtedly bring our cities and our hockey fans together.” Eugene Melnyk, owner of the Ottawa Senators, expressed his pleasure with the move. “The people of Belleville are a deeply passionate and proud hockey community,” Melnyk said. “This community has truly earned the return of hockey and I am committed to making the Belleville Senators an integral part of the city. This is the dawn of new era of hockey in Belleville and we are excited to be part of it.” In an effort to underscore their respective organizations’ historical ties to hockey, both Laval and Belleville have adopted logos that are traditional in style and design. The Rocket logo is a rugged block R in blue, accented with the Canadiens’ red and white colors. “We reached our objective by creating a logo and uniform that solidifies the historic link between the Rocket de Laval and the Canadiens, while honoring a Quebec legend and creating a new identity for a new generation of fans,” said Bell Place President Vincent Lucier. 186c
443c
black white
The Belleville Senators, meanwhile, will be outfitted with a prominent black ‘B’ outlined in white and red, laid over top of singular red and black stripes framed within a black border. The design is intended to be both classic and versatile. “Our goal was to create a symbol that is transcendent,” said Rob Mullowney, chief operating officer of the Belleville Senators. “Our fans will come from many different regions, backgrounds, cultures and lifestyles, and this emblem is intended to appeal broadly.” Both teams eschewed the notion of associating a character with their logos. “As much as the font and color scheme exude authenticity and the logo is designed to be timeless, we also wanted it to be without attachment,” Belleville’s Mullowney said. “We believe that our brand should be defined by our actions and we will work relentlessly to ensure that the associations fans make with our team are both positive and well-deserved.” Laval’s Lucier echoed Mullowney’s sentiment. ”We can proudly say that the Rocket is now solidly entrenched deep in the heart of Laval’s sports landscape and that our thirst for success is as strong as our desire to be proud ambassadors for the city of Laval,” Lucier said. The new Belleville and Laval teams are not the only changes for the 2017-18 AHL season. Keeping the AHL’s commitment to stay in Binghamton and Broome County due to the Senators having three more years on their lease there, the league announced the move of the New Jersey Devils’ affiliation from Albany to Binghamton beginning this season. In addition, the Chicago Wolves are now the affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights, which begin play this year as the NHL’s first expansion franchise since 2000, when the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild joined the league. Lastly, the St. Louis Blues, who had been the NHL parent of the Wolves, will send players to Chicago and San Antonio this season, with a promise from the AHL that the franchise will have its own affiliate for the 2018-19 season. 55
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
Hronek has good hockey instincts with a solid understanding of the play around him.
KEEP IT SIMPLE Red Wings defensive prospect Filip Hronek is learning English along with ways to improve his game. Story and photos by Mark Newman
56 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
Hronek (right) celebrates a goal with Evgeny Svechnikov, a sight that Red Wings fans hope they see often in the coming years.
Filip Hronek, the highly touted Red Wings prospect from the Czech Republic, listened closely to the question, leaning intently to catch every word. Doing interviews at this point so early in his pro career is not his forte and, like his play on the ice, remains a work-in-progress, but he accepts the challenge without complaint and does his best with his limited linguistic abilities. In fact, keep it simple may be good advice, as useful in speaking as it is in hockey. Why try to do too much with the puck when a quick pass will accomplish the same? Why use 20 words when one will do? So his reply is succinct when asked what he needs to improve in order to play at the next level. “Everything,” he says. To fulfill his dream of playing in the NHL, he knows he must become bigger, stronger, faster and smarter – a process that won’t happen overnight. It’s worth remembering that, a year ago, his grasp of the English language was virtually
non-existent. Hronek had to call on the help of a fellow countryman, goaltender Matej Machovsky, to translate for him when he spoke with the media at his first Red Wings development camp during the summer of 2016. By consenting to now do interviews on his own, Hronek is proving that his language skills have come a long way, and yet he knows he still has much to learn. That is an opportunity, not a problem. Hronek, after all, is still a teenager. Chosen by the Red Wings with the overall 53rd pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Hronek won’t turn 20 until Nov. 2. He spent last season in North America, a move that was encouraged by the Red Wings’ director of player evaluation, Jiri Fischer, who felt it was critical that the young player begin the process of learning the new language and culture. Hronek had been playing for teams in Hradec Kralove, one of the oldest cities (pre13th century) in the Bohemia region of the
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
57
Hronek was thankful that he had fellow countrymen (l-r) Tomas Nosek and Martin Frk help him ease his adjustment to the pros.
Czech Republic, where he grew up playing hockey and soccer, the latter due in part to the fact that his father was a soccer coach. A natural forward, Hronek changed to defense three or four years ago, a switch that he said was hard because he initially felt “confused” in the defensive zone. The adjustment required time and practice, but “nothing special.” “I’m still learning the position,” he admits. In almost no time, he found himself playing at the highest non-professional levels. He has represented his country internationally several times, including twice at the World Junior Championship, first in Finland in 2016 and earlier this year in Canada. “To play against the best guys in the world was a good experience for me,” he said. Hronek was captain of the Czech Republic team at the 2017 tournament, where he was his team’s leading defenseman with two goals and two assists in five games. “It was a great feeling to make the team the first time, but being the
captain, I was in a different spot,” he said. “I was a leader.” He felt the choice to play in North America last season was almost a non-decision. If he was going to play in the NHL, it was absolutely necessary for him to put aside any notion of staying in the Czech Republic for another year. Playing in the Ontario Hockey League for the Saginaw Spirit last season, Hronek wasted little time in adjusting to his new confines, although he felt that he struggled early. “It was hard,” he said. “Being on the smaller ice, you must be quicker and faster with your decisions. You must make plays faster.” Hronek showed his offensive prowess by tallying 14 goals and 47 assists in 59 games. He was voted the Spirit’s Most Valuable Player after finishing the season as the team leader in plus-minus as well as being the fourth leadingscorer among all defensemen in the league. In truth, playing hockey was the easy part. Adjusting to a new lifestyle away from home was not so easy. “The lifestyle here from
58 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
Hronek was the captain of the Czech Republic team at the 2017 World Junior Championship.
59 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
Europe was different and English was hard, Closer to home, Hronek will be following but now it’s getting better,” he said, noting that the advice of Griffins head coach Todd Nelson, living a language isn’t the same as learning it another former defenseman who played 12 pro in school. “Hanging out and talking with the seasons and knows a thing or two about what other guys helped,” he notes, it takes to be successful. although he couldn’t help but Nelson sees plenty to like With excellent on- in Hronek’s game. miss his mother’s cooking. Still, he was thrilled to be “He’s a player with a high ice vision and poise, skill set,” Nelson said. “He one step closer to someday playing for the Red Wings. makes a good first outlet an elite ability to “It was a great feeling to get pass, can run a power play, drafted by an Original Six and I like that he has an edge move the puck and a to his game. He plays with team with a big history,” he said. “It’s very exciting.” some ‘jam.’ Those are the powerful shot from things that are going to help Hronek joined the Griffins at the conclusion of the OHL him become successful.” the point, he offers campaign and saw action At 6-foot, 170-pounds, in 10 regular season games. Hronek is hardly an the kind of scoring imposing defender, but the “It was very important for my development,” he said. Wings were attracted by ability that is highly Red “Getting to play with guys his offensive instincts and with NHL experience like skills. With excellent desired in Detroit. hockey Nathan Paetsch and Brian on-ice vision and poise, Lashoff helps you learn what an elite ability to move the you need to do to become good.” puck and a powerful shot from the point, he He even earned a spot for his name on the offers the kind of scoring ability that is highly Calder Cup by playing in two playoff games, desired in Detroit. which was itself an eye-opening experience. “We saw him play in some games for us “Everything happens so much faster and during the regular season and the playoffs, so much more physical that it’s harder to and we liked what we saw,” Nelson said. “If he play,” he said. keeps his game simple, his creative side comes Hronek’s introduction to pro hockey was out and he’s able to see his options breaking helped by the fact that he was able to live with the puck out.” Tomas Nosek and could talk with Martin The key for Hronek will be to continue to Frk, both of whom also hail from the Czech learn to play his position from a defensive Republic. “We watched a lot of NHL games perspective. His coach in Saginaw, Spencer when we could,” he said. “You can learn a lot.” Carbery, stressed that the youngster needed to He is a big admirer of Erik Karlsson, the focus on how to use his feet and skill to defend Ottawa Senators’ two-time Norris Trophy the rush better and win battles down low in the winner. “He plays 30 minutes a night, so when defensive zone, especially near the net. you watch, he can teach you,” he said. Carbery felt Hronek’s development during Hronek also feels that he will benefit from a the year was “impressive,” and Nelson hopes Red Wings organization that puts him under that he will make similar strides this season. the tutelage of Hockey Hall of Famer Chris “When the other team has the puck in the Chelios as well as Fischer, a former Red Wings defensive zone, he’s got to have his head on a defenseman whose own promising playing swivel and find guys who are open in the slot career was cut short at the age of 25 due to or in front of the net and win those battles,” heart issues. Nelson said. “A lot of that will come with “If they say something, you just watch and experience.” listen,” he said. “They played in the NHL, so As a rookie, Hronek will inevitably make they know what it takes.” mistakes. He recognizes that he’s going to 60 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
make his share, but he said he hopes to keep the mistakes to a minimum and learn from them. Like every prospect, he would like to be playing in the NHL. He knows the Red Wings prefer not to rush their talent. “It’s usually a couple of years,” Hronek said, conceding that he will likely need to spend an extended stay in the minors. “Time will tell. We’ll see.” Nelson will preach patience. “Everything comes with maturity,” Nelson said. “It’s going to take some time with him, but he’s already improved so much from last season that we think he’s going to have a good year. So he’s trending in the right direction.” All Hronek wants is the opportunity. “Last year was good, but this is a new season,” he said. “Winning the Cup was a great experience, so I was happy I could stay in GR and stay with the team. I was very happy when the guys won. Now I get a chance. I need to be stronger, faster, make better decisions in the D-zone, everything.” “I just work hard and we’ll see.”
Hronek was thrilled to experience the Griffins’ Calder Cup championship after his OHL season.
Easterseals Michigan would like to congratulate the Grand Rapids Griffins on winning another Calder Easterseals Michigan would like to congratulate the Grand Cup Championship and wish them a Rapids Griffins on winning another Calder Cup Championship successful season! and wish them a successful 2017/18 2017/18 season!
Meet the team at our craft beer event on March 2, 2018!
Watch for details at EastersealsMichigan.com. 61 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
At MOS, we arm you with accurate information to make solid business decisions. Get back to focusing on what you do best. We’ll manage your document environment. Count on us.™
OFFICIAL PRINT SERVICES PARTNER OF
THE DETROIT LIONS
CONNECT WITH US • MOS-XEROX.COM • 800.442.9070 •
@MOSCOUNTONUS
R E C O R D
B O O K
ALL-TIME ACTIVE LEADER SINGLE-SEASON 2016-17
GAMES PLAYED Travis Richards Brian Lashoff (7th) Kyle Criscuolo
GOALS *Led league Michel Picard 158 Martin Frk (T13th) 63 Donald MacLean (2005-06) *56 Martin Frk 27
ASSISTS Michel Picard Robbie Russo (T41st) Jiri Hudler (2005-06) Matt Lorito
POINTS Michel Picard Martin Frk (24th) Michel Picard (1996-97) Matt Lorito
380 118 101 56
PLUS/MINUS Travis Richards Robbie Russo (7th) Ivan Ciernik (2000-01) Eric Tangradi
PENALTY MINUTES Darryl Bootland Martin Frk (38th) Darryl Bootland (2005-06) Dan Renouf
1,164 185 390 95
WINS Joey MacDonald Tom McCollum (2nd) Joey MacDonald (2004-05) Mike Fountain (2000-01) 2.33 Jared Coreau
109 103 34 *34 19
SAVE PERCENTAGE Martin Prusek Jared Coreau (T4th) Joey MacDonald (2003-04) Eddie Pasquale
0.930 0.920 0.936 0.919
5 players tied
2016-17 Jared Coreau
MARTIN PRUSEK
MARTIN FRK
655 330 *82 76
*Led league
GOALIE GAMES PLAYED ALL-TIME Tom McCollum ACTIVE LEADER Tom McCollum (1st) SINGLE-SEASON Joey MacDonald (2004-05)
ALL-TIME ACTIVE LEADER SINGLE-SEASON 2016-17
L E A D E R S
BRIAN LASHOFF
MICHEL PICARD
ALL-TIME ACTIVE LEADER SINGLE-SEASON 2016-17
A N D
SHUTOUTS Joey MacDonald Jared Coreau (3rd) 6 players tied Eddie Pasquale
+131 +55 *+41 +16
*Led league
GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE 226 Martin Prusek 1.83 226 Jared Coreau (7th) 2.41 *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
TOM McCOLLUM
5,653 5,653 1,785 849
222 59 60 34
JARED COREAU
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
63 63
64
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
65
GO GRIFFINS! 2017 Calder Cup Champions
COMING SOON Terryberry is Proud to Handcraft the 2017 Griffins Calder Cup Championship Rings Right Here in Grand Rapids.
We help 25,000+ organizations worldwide with customized awards and recognition programs. Contact us to learn about exceptional awards to commemorate important milestones and achievements that help your organization win! 66
616.458.1391 | www.terryberry.com | Grand Rapids, MI Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
Anywhere, Anytime, Anyplace. We’re there for you!
67 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
GRI
FFIN
S
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 Nelson, Michel Picard, Pokey Reddick Ian Gordon, Kerry Huffman, Michel Picard Robert Petrovicky, Maxim Spiridonov John Gruden, Jani Hurme, Kevin Miller, Petr Schastlivy Mike Fountain, Joel Kwiatkowski, Travis Richards, Todd White, Bruce Cassidy (co-coach) Chris Bala, John Gruden, Kip Miller, Martin Prusek, Petr Schastlivy, Bruce Cassidy (head coach), Gene Reilly (asst. coach) Marc Lamothe, Mark Mowers Jiri Hudler, Niklas Kronwall, Travis Richards, Nathan Robinson Niklas Kronwall, Joey MacDonald Valtteri Filppula, Jiri Hudler, Donald MacLean
2016 AHL All-Stars Jeff Hoggan and Xavier Ouellet Photo by Scott Thomas/AHL
2013 AHL All-Star Chad Billins
Photo by Alan Sullivan/AHL
2013 AHL All-Star Petr Mrazek
Photo by Alan Sullivan/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 Blashill (head coach) Xavier Ouellet, Teemu Pulkkinen Jeff Hoggan (captain), Xavier Ouellet Matt Lorito, Robbie Russo, Todd Nelson (head coach)
2015 AHL All-Star Teemu Pulkkinen
2014 AHL All-Star Alexey Marchenko
Photo by Lindsay A. Mogle/AHL
Photo by Jeff Parsons/AHL
2013 AHL All-Star Gustav Nyquist
2012 AHL All-Star Gustav Nyquist
Photo by Paul Yacovone III/AHL
Photo by PhotoGraphics/AHL
Every game is a big game. At Blue Cross, we help tech kids the importance of eating healthy and staying active so they develop good habits that last, season after season. GROUP HEALTH PLANS | INDIVIDUAL PLANS | DENTAL | VISION BCBSM.COM | #MIKIDSCAN
MICHIGAN
DOWNLOAD OUR MOBILE APP
69
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
R071121
Lead the industry from a leading workspace.
616.458.6322
217 GRANDVILLE AVE SW
GRAND RAPIDS
CUSTERINC.COM
Integrity • Quality • Solutions
1-800-444-6430
www.powellrelocationgroup.com
HOME & OFFICE RELOCATIONS
• LOCAL • STATEWIDE • NATIONWIDE • WORLDWIDE
www.powellrelocationgroup.com 70 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
Our 3% Max Checking account offers one of the best rates you can find anywhere! Call, click or visit us today! Anyone can join!
*
LMCU.org • (800 or 616) 242-9790 *APY = Annual Percentage Yield. No minimum balance required. Interest not paid on balances over $15,000. Refunds up to $15 per month in surcharge ATM withdrawal fees at non-LMCU ATMs when you withdraw from your Max Checking account. Rate subject to change. To earn maximum interest rate, simply meet the following monthly usage requirements: 1. Direct deposit into your Max Checking account. 2. Minimum of 10 debit card purchases per month. 3. Minimum of 4 logins to home banking per month. 4. Be eligible for and sign up to receive eStatements/eNotices. Federally Insured by the NCUA.
Expires July 1, 2018
71 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
STAY CONNECTED. STAY NNECTED. STAY AY CONNECTED. CTED. THEAHL.COM ISIS YOUR YOUR ONE-STOP ONE-STOP SOURCE SOURCE FOR FOR ALL ALL THE THE THEAHL.COM LATEST HIGHLIGHTS, NEWS, STATS, AND LIVE UPDATES LATEST Visit HIGHLIGHTS, NEWS, STATS, AND LIVE UPDATES PHPA.com FOR ALL ALL 30 30 TEAMS TEAMS and follow us @The PHPA FOR
Your source for hockey news, player information, and PHPA merchandise
Grow with the Pros!
EAHL.COM FOR THE EAHL.COM ISIS YOUR YOUR ONE-STOP ONE-STOP SOURCE SOURCE FOR ALL ALLTO THE REPRESENT ALL AHL AND ECHL PLAYERS PROUD EST HIGHLIGHTS, NEWS, STATS, AND LIVE UPDATES TEST HIGHLIGHTS, NEWS, STATS, AND LIVE UPDATES FOR FOR ALL ALL 30 30 TEAMS TEAMS WATCH WATCH
miss a minute URCE FOR ALL Don’t THE miss a minute OURCE FOR ALLofofDon’t THE the action with live the action with live AND LIVE UPDATES game streaming at AND LIVE UPDATES game streaming at AHLLive.com AHLLive.com S
e e ve ve
t
TALK TALK Join the conversation and Join the conversation and get behind-the-scenes acget behind-the-scenes access via AHL social Media cess via AHL social Media
SHOP SHOP
and
n acand es acedia Media
Look like the pros with Look like the apparel andpros AHLwith apparel exclusively and AHL memorabilia memorabilia exclusively at AHLStore.com &
THEAHL.COM IS YOUR ONE-STOP SOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST HIGHLIGHTS,SHOP NEWS, STATS, AND LIVE UPDATES SHOP FOR ALL 30 TEAMS Join the conversation and Look like the pros with TALK TALK
Join the conversation and get behind-the-scenes acget behind-the-scenes access via AHL social Media cess via AHL social Media
SHOP SHOP Look like the pros with Look like the pros with apparel and AHL apparel and AHL memorabilia exclusively memorabilia exclusively at AHLStore.com & WATCH at AHLStore.com & AHLAuthentic.com AHLAuthentic.com Don’t miss a minute
Look like the pros with apparel and AHL apparel and AHL memorabilia exclusively memorabilia exclusively at AHLStore.com & at AHLStore.com & AHLAuthentic.com AHLAuthentic.com
TheAHL.com TheAHL.com
TALK
SHOP
Join the conversation and
Look like the pros with
of the action with live
get behind-the-scenes ac-
apparel and AHL
game streaming at
cess via AHL social Media
memorabilia exclusively
LATEST HIGHLIGHTS, NEWS, STATS, AND LIVE UPDATES FOR ALL 30 TEAMS AHLLive.com
at AHLStore.com &
AHLAuthentic.com
TheAHL.com TheAHL.com
at AHLStore.com & AHLAuthentic.com AHLAuthentic.com
TheAHL.com
72 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
P E N A LT Y C A L L S
BOARDING Called for any action which causes an opponent to be thrown violently into the boards.
HIGH STICKING Making contact with an opponent while carrying the stick above shoulder hight.
MISCONDUCT 10-minute or disqualification penalty for excessive or additional misbehavior on the ice.
TRIPPING Called for using the stick, arm or leg to cause an opponent to trip or fall.
CHARGING Taking a run at an opposing player using more than three strides to build up speed.
HOLDING Clutching an opposing player’s body with the hands, arms or legs.
ROUGHING Called for engaging in fisticuffs or shoving.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT Called for unsportsmanlike actions such as disputing an official’s decision, grabbing the face mask of a player, etc.
CROSS CHECKING A check or block delivered by a player with both hands on the stick and no part of the stick on the ice.
HOOKING The use of the stick or blade to impede the progress of an opponent.
SLASHING Striking an opposing player with the stick.
DELAYED PENALTY Referee extends his arm and points to the penalized player until the penalized team regains possession of the puck.
INTERFERENCE When a player impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck.
SPEARING Called for using the stick like a spear.
ELBOWING 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 offside.
73
TICKETS VIP Glass Lower Level Preferred
$37 $31
DAY OF GAME $40 $34
Lower Level Center Ice Lower Level Faceoff VIP Edge Upper Level Prime
$26 $22 $23 $21
$29 $25 $26 $24
Upper Level Preferred
$20
$23
Upper Level Center Ice
$19
$22
Upper Level Faceoff
$16
$19
ADVANCE
(rows B-E)
(rows B & C)
(rows F & up)
(rows D & up)
VAN ANDEL ARENA
Suites & Hospitality Areas Call for pricing and availability
startickets.com or 616.222.4000 THE ZONE Located on the west side of Van Andel Arena ONLINE griffinshockey.com/buytickets Seats may not be available in all price categories. For season, game-plan and group ticket information, call 616.774.4585 or 1.800.2.HOCKEY.
BAKERSFIELD CONDORS BELLEVILLE SENATORS BINGHAMTON DEVILS BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS CHARLOTTE CHECKERS CHICAGO WOLVES CLEVELAND MONSTERS GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS HARTFORD WOLF PACK HERSHEY BEARS IOWA WILD LAVAL ROCKET LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS MANITOBA MOOSE MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS ONTARIO REIGN PROVIDENCE BRUINS ROCHESTER AMERICANS ROCKFORD ICEHOGS SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE SAN DIEGO GULLS SAN JOSE BARRACUDA SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS STOCKTON HEAT SYRACUSE CRUNCH TEXAS STARS TORONTO MARLIES TUCSON ROADRUNNERS UTICA COMETS WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS
74 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
75 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2017 Calder Cup Champions
GRIFFINS BEN STREET
IT ALL
in the
STARTS HERE
DREW MILLER
EVGENY SVECHNIKOV
ROBBIE RUSSO
DAN RENOUF
Since their inception in 1996, the Griffins have sent 165 players to the National Hockey League, 16 of whom have gone on to win the Stanley Cup. In fact, a Griffins alumnus has had his name engraved on Lord Stanley’s chalice in six of the last 10 years and in eight of the last 13 seasons. In chronological order, here are the 21 goalies and 144 skaters who have worn an NHL sweater after playing for Grand Rapids, along with the dates of their NHL debuts/returns. 76
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
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 Bold = Played in the NHL during the 2016-17 season 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
CATCH THE ACTION THIS SEASON ON YOUR RADIO OR ONLINE!
DONT MISS ANY OF THE ACTION THIS SEASON! FOLLOW GRIFFINS HOCKEY ON NEWSRADIO WOOD
106.9 FM 1300 AM AND STREAM THE ACTION ON IHEARTRADIO!
A BIG THANKS TO OUR RADIO SPONSORS FOR THEIR HELP IN BRINGING GRIFFINS HOCKEY TO YOU THIS SEASON
PARTING SHOT
80
The Griffins’ legacy continues to grow. Photo by Sam Iannamico.
dTE
GREAT SAVE! Save energy, save money, and be more comfortable. You can do all three, with some simple tips from DTE Energy. First, get a programmable thermostat and program it correctly to keep your home warm when you want it most, and to save you around $180 a year. Schedule a heating system check-up to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. And seal air leaks and change filters regularly for maximum airflow and comfort.
Score more tips at dteenergy.com/staywarm.