2021-22 Griffiti - Issue #3

2021-22 SEASON ISSUE NO. 3

E S T. 1 9 9 6

LURED BACK HOME Fishing Enthusiast Luke Witkowski

O F F I C I A L

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T H E

G R A N D

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G R I F F I N S

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Vol. 25, No. 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS STARTING LINEUP 26 ������ A TRUSTED DEVELOPMENT The global pandemic proved to be a blessing in disguise for Donovan Sebrango, whose accelerated hockey education has allowed him to earn the confidence of his coaches in the AHL.

26

34 ������ SOONER THAN LATER Tyler Bertuzzi is hellbent on bringing the Red Wings back to playoff contention, and his recent play has shown that he can be the same difference maker in the NHL that he was in Grand Rapids.

42 ������ ‘PIC’ OF THE LITTER The most prolific scorer in Griffins history will be immortalized on Saturday, Feb. 19 when the team retires the No. 7 jersey of left wing Michel Picard.

44 ������ ROLLIN’ WITH THE PUNCHES Life is always an adventure for rugged Luke Witkowski, the Holland native who has made a career out of bouncing between the NHL and AHL. 54 ������ WHATEVER IT TAKES Dominik Shine is willing to do anything to boost the Griffins’ chances for success.

34

ON THE BENCH 2..........Chalk Talk 4..........Scouting Report 9..........Griffins Schedule 12.......AHL Tradition 16.......AHL Team Directory 21.......Detroit Red Wings 22.......Promotional Calendar 40.......Meet the Griffins

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

COVER:

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Born and raised in West Michigan, Luke Witkowski is in his first season with the Griffins after returning to the Red Wings organization.

Photo by Mark Newman

Griffiti magazine is published four times a year by the Grand Rapids Griffins, Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All contents ©2022 Grand Rapids Griffins.

For advertising information, contact Griffins Sales & Marketing, (616) 774-4585; fax (616) 336-5464. Unsolicited manuscripts and other materials will not be returned.

54

WITH GRIFFINS HEAD COACH BEN SIMON Griffins head coach Ben Simon found himself confronting a COVID-caused dilemma on New Year’s Eve that sounded somewhat Shakespearean.

To play or not to play.

That was the question that the organization faced when the Griffins learned they would have only 14 skaters available due to the AHL’s coronavirus protocols.

Teams usually dress 18 skaters and two goaltenders.

“We were notified earlier in the day that the (testing) lab was backed up, so we didn’t get our PCR results until about an hour before the game,” Simon recalled.

“We already had fans in the building and New Year’s Eve is a big game for our front office. With only five defensemen and nine forwards available, we were in a tough predicament.”

The decision was made to proceed. In retrospect, it was a wise choice. The bench-depleted Griffins defeated the Milwaukee Admirals by a 5-4 margin. Then, as if to prove it was no fluke, the Griffins turned around the next night and beat the same team in Milwaukee by a 4-2 score with only 16 skaters. Six days later, the Griffins relied on 17 skaters to outscore the Iowa Wild 3-1 on Jan. 7.

“Sometimes when guys are playing more, they’re more into the game, both mentally and physically,” he said. “They’re not afraid of making mistakes because, with a shorter bench, you can’t hold them hostage, as much as you would like to. I think the guys just went out, had fun, and played the game.”

The Griffins are getting contributions from all comers, including several players who started the season in the ECHL. “We’re winning by committee,” he said. “We have guys that we’ve called up from the ECHL who have done a really good job of filling big minutes. In addition, we have had guys who haven’t had as much opportunity in the past grow into bigger roles. Plus, we’ve had really good goaltending.”

Matt Berry, Blake Hillman, Brett McKenzie and Gordi Myer started the season in Toledo while Erik Bradford and Max Humitz were in Kalamazoo.

“These guys have earned the opportunity by playing well in the [ECHL] and they’ve made the most of the opportunity presented to them in Grand Rapids. As a 2 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Photo: Sam Iannamico

player, that’s all you can ask for – just give me a chance.

They’ve done a great job and earned their spot in the lineup.”

The organization has leaned heavily on Toledo Walleye coach Dan Watson to supply players on an emergency basis to Grand Rapids. “We’ll call him and get his opinion,” he said. “Some of the decisions are positionally based. Do we need a center or a wing? Do we need toughness? Do we need skill? It’s based on conversations, plus we may watch some video if we have time. On short notice, you sometimes have to rely on the relationship and the trust that you have.”

Call-ups, of course, can be hit or miss. Not every player is going to stick. “Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s not a perfect science, but the guys who have come up this season have done an admiral job of providing us with some fantastic minutes.”

Although most of the players come from Toledo, which has an affiliation with the Red Wings organization, Simon also has drawn talent from Nick Bootland (younger brother of former Griffins favorite Darryl Bootland), who is in his 13th season as head coach and director of hockey operations of the Kalamazoo Wings.

“He has been more than generous and gracious in allowing us to grab some of his players, knowing that he has no allegiance to us,” Simon said. “Both Nick and Dan want their players to have the opportunity to further their careers by getting a chance at the next level.”

Simon has been in their shoes himself, having been the head coach of the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones in 2013-14. “You never want to hold a guy back, but at the same time now your roster has less than the players you need, so now you’re scrambling. But it’s important for the players to know that their hard work can pay off and nobody will hold you back.”

The players that stick are usually those that are able to adjust. “Whether they’re coming from Toledo, Kalamazoo, Fort Wayne or Timbuktu, they’re coming from different teams,” he said. “We don’t want to overload them with too much information, because if they’re thinking too much they lose their hockey sense,

so you try to teach as you go along.

“A lot of these guys have done a great job of developing and getting better as they’ve been here longer,” he said. “Guys like Brett McKenzie, Blake Hillman, Josh Dickinson and Matt Berry have been here quite a while and if you look at where they were and where they are now, they’ve done a really good job of becoming better hockey players in general.”

In many ways, these players are auditioning for larger roles down the road. “Contract situations shouldn’t matter,” he said. “If you’re able to contribute, help our team and make us stronger to win games, we’re going to find a spot for you.”

There’s no better example than Tyler Spezia, who has become not only a regular but a solid contributor after joining the Griffins from Toledo during the 2018-19 season. “Tyler absolutely earned his way out of that league and he’s become a heckuva player in the AHL by making the most of his opportunity.”

Spezia is part of a trifecta of talented players who seem to have blossomed this season thanks to increased ice time. “Spezia along with Turner Elson and Dominik Shine epitomize how we want to play,” he said. “They do a lot of those little things that the average fan might not notice. They play the game the right way.

“With all three, you know what you’re going to get.

You’re going to get an honest effort and they’re going to try their hardest and give you everything they have.

And that’s all you can ask. They give you tremendous buy-in and all three exhibit great leadership qualities.

They’re glue guys.”

Simon knows what it means to make the most of an opportunity, not only as a player (he played 81 NHL games after time in the IHL and AHL) but also as a coach.

On Dec. 18, Simon – along with Griffins assistant coach Todd Krygier – was called to step behind the bench for Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill and assistant coach Alex Tanguay after Detroit put them in COVID-19 protocol. With the help of Red Wings

assistant Doug Houda, the Grand Rapids pair called the shots during a 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils at Little Caesars Arena.

“It was a lot of fun,” Simon said. “Standing behind the bench, you’re a little bit nervous because you don’t want to let the organization down. You’re just trying not to screw things up too badly.”

Back in Grand Rapids, Simon said he is looking for a more consistent effort from his team. “We want to make sure we play the game the right way,” he said.

“We’ve done a pretty good job of controlling what we can control. With injuries, call-ups, and this Covid stuff, we’re asking guys to be the best version of themselves and bring their A-game every night. It’s that ‘next man up’ mentality.”

Simon is keen to point out that it’s not just the newcomers who have made a difference as the Griffins find their footing and start stringing together some wins. “[Kyle] Criscuolo and [Taro] Hirose have been fantastic. They have been consistent with their compete level. Jonatan Berggren has absolutely improved from the day he came in as a rookie. He’s getting better and heading in the right direction.

“Guys on the back end like [Brian] Lashoff, [Dan] Renouf, [Luke] Witkowski and [Ryan] Murphy have done their job as veterans and leaders holding down the fort. [Donovan] Sebrango, [Wyatt] Newpower, and [Jared] McIsaac are establishing themselves as steady defensemen.

“It’s great that all these guys have been thrown into the fire. And the final layer of our defense – our goaltending – has been terrific. [Calvin] Pickard has been fantastic and [Victor] Brattstrom is playing with a lot more confidence after a slow start.”

“We’ve seen a lot of good things in the first half of the season. We have to keep focusing on what got us to this point and that’s our work ethic and our compete level.

We can’t rest on laurels because the real grind of a long season hasn’t even started.”

2021-22 GRIFFINS HOCKEY OPERATIONS STAFF

General Manager

Pat Verbeek

Video Coach

Justin DeMartino

Head Coach

Assistant Coach

Ben Simon

Matt Macdonald

Athletic Trainer

Assistant Athletic Trainer

Josh Chapman

Anthony Polazzo

Assistant Coach

Assistant Coach

Goaltending Coach

Todd Krygier

Mike Knuble

Brian Mahoney-Wilson

Equipment Manager

Assistant Equipment Manager

Strength-Conditioning Coordinator

Brad Thompson

Charlie Kaser

Marcus Kinney

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 3

SCOUTING REPORT

ONTARI

PRIMA

ONTARIO FEB. 4, FEB. 5

• Ontario and Grand Rapids have met just two previous times, both during the 2018-19 season when the Griffins fell 4-3 at home and 3-1 in Southern California. The only current Griffins to play in those games were Turner Elson, Brian Lashoff, Chase Pearson and Dominik Shine.

• Martin Frk, who scored the Calder Cup-clinching goal for the Griffins in 2017, tallied 29 points (14-15—29) in the Reign’s first 24 games this season to earn a callup to the Los Angeles Kings. Midway through the month of January, Ontario sat in second place in the Pacific Division with a 16-6-3-1 (.692) record.

ROCKFORD FEB. 19

• Rockford’s roster features two Michiganders in D.J. Busdeker and Alec Regula. Busdeker hails from Dexter and played junior hockey with the Saginaw Spirit. Regula, a third-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, is a native of West Bloomfield Township and played two years of high school hockey at Cranbrook Kingswood.

PANTONE 429 C

• Left wing Lukas Reichel is the lone first-round draft choice in the IceHogs’ lineup. The Nuremberg, Germany, native was taken 17th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Reichel had 20 points (11-9—20) in the first 20 games of his debut season in North America.

BAKERSFIELD FEB. 25, FEB. 26

• Bakersfield will play at Van Andel Arena for just the second and third times ever, as the Condors’ only game in West Michigan was a 3-2 win for the visitors on April 16, 2016. A pair of contests subsequently scheduled for March 13-14, 2020 were the first Griffins games canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Bakersfield, 3-0-1-0 all time versus Grand Rapids, is the AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers and entered the league in 2015. The Condors’ general manager is Keith Gretzky, brother of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.

4 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

PROCESS BLACK

WHITE

IOWA MARCH 4, MARCH 5

• Center Marco Rossi is the lone first-round draft choice on the Wild’s roster. Taken ninth overall by Minnesota in 2020, Rossi is in his first pro season in North America. The 20-year-old native of Austria had 23 points (7-16—23) in his first 21 games this year with Iowa.

• Right wing Mitchell Chaffee is a native of Rockford, Mich., located just a dozen miles north of Van Andel Arena. Chaffee played his collegiate hockey at UMass before signing with the Minnesota Wild in 2020.

CHICAGO MARCH 9

• Andrew Poturalski has been the Griffins’ nemesis this season, logging 15 points (7-8—15) in the first six games against Grand Rapids. In fact, the center led the AHL in points with 42 (16-26—42) through 27 games.

• Entering a clash at Allstate Arena on Jan. 28, the Griffins were winless in seven straight games (0-6-1-0) against the Wolves dating back to the 2020-21 season, getting outscored 30-8 in the process. Chicago’s winning streak was the longest ever for either team in this rivalry that began in 1996.

CLEVELAND MARCH 11

• The Monsters are a longtime rival of the Griffins, dating back to the 2007-08 season when the club, then known as Lake Erie, joined the AHL. The Monsters are Grand Rapids’ third-most frequent opponent (behind Milwaukee and Chicago) with 112 games played between the two franchises.

• After competing in the Central Division a season ago, Cleveland has returned to the North Division and sat in fifth place through 27 games with a 11-9-4-3 (.537) record.

TEXAS MARCH 16, MARCH 18

• Riley Damiani returned to Texas after leading the team in points (1125—36) and assists a season ago, when the center ranked fourth in the league with 25 helpers while his point total tied for third. He received the 2020-21 Dudley Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s top rookie. Damiani began the current campaign with 18 points (7-11—18) in 23 games.

• Forwards Ty Dellandrea and Riley Tufte are the two former first-round draft picks on the Stars’ roster. Dellandrea was taken 13th overall by Dallas in 2018 while Tufte was chosen 25th by the Stars in 2016.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 5

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W005282

2021-22 SEASON

Dear Griffins Fans, Welcome back! What a long, strange trip it’s been, and in many ways continues to be.

These last 19 months have tested all of us in ways we could never have imagined, impacting everything from our loved ones and livelihoods down to the most trivial aspects of daily living. Amidst this turmoil, having a shared sense of community and common rallying points has never felt more vital or craved, even if that just means gathering at Van Andel Arena to watch a Griffins game with 10,834 of our closest friends.

We’ve never taken the roar of a huge crowd for granted, but it will sound unimaginably sweet to hear that again this season.

DAN DEVOS LETTER FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

The slow return to normalcy is coming with some exciting changes to your fan experience, most notably advances like fan-friendly mobile ticketing technology and cashless arena concessions that offer mobile ordering and easy pickup. They have the added benefit of making our game-night operations as contactless as possible.

While the shortened 2020-21 campaign was technically our 25th season, we’ve saved the celebrations of the first quarter-century of Griffins hockey to share with you this year! Among the many promotions, giveaways and special events we have planned are two that you certainly won’t want to miss: the jersey number retirement ceremonies for Griffins greats Michel Picard (Feb. 19) and Jeff Hoggan (April 2), who will take their rightful places in the arena’s rafters alongside Travis Richards, currently the only player in our franchise’s history to have been so honored.

As we pay tribute to the great memories and legends of our storied past, let’s not forget about the newest Griffins who will be looking to forge their path east to Hockeytown. The Detroit Red Wings boast one of the deepest and most promising prospect pools in the NHL – led by high draft picks like Lucas Raymond and Jonatan Berggren – that is sure to give us many reasons to cheer as we chase an eighth consecutive berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

If all of that wasn’t enough to look forward to, we’re beyond excited about the return to our broadcast booth of Bob Kaser, the newest, incredibly deserving member of the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame.

Our beloved Voice of the Griffins missed the entire 2020-21 season while recovering from heart surgery but is now thankfully back to full strength, and he’s spreading the gospel of both Griffins hockey and heart health.

On behalf of Griffins players and staff from the past and the present, I salute you for your loyalty through the years and hope you enjoy the celebration of our 25th anniversary season.

Sincerely,

Dan DeVos Chief Executive Officer Grand Rapids Griffins

10 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

2021-2022 SEASON

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

SCOTT HOWSON PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

We’re thrilled to have 31 teams back on the ice this fall, and we’re especially excited to have our passionate fans back to cheer on our players inside arenas across North America. Our clubs remain dedicated to ensuring everyone’s health and safety, allowing us to continue our role as the top development league for nearly all of the players, coaches, executives, trainers, broadcasters and officials in the National Hockey League today.

On behalf of all of our teams across the United States and Canada, thank you for your continuing support of the AHL, and I will see you at the rink.

Sincerely,

SCOTT HOWSON PRESIDENT & CEO | AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 11

BY THE NUMBERS

A TRADITION OF

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

890 Former AHL players who skated in the NHL last season

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

THE PLAYERS

THE LEGENDS

THE COACHES

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

For the past eight decades, the American Hockey League has been home to some of the greatest players in the history of our sport.

In fact, more than 100 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame have been affiliated with the AHL during their careers.

All-time greats like Johnny Bower, Toe Blake, Gump Worsley, Terry Sawchuk, Glenn Hall, Brad Park, Ken Dryden, and Brett Hull came through the AHL ranks and now find themselves enshrined in Toronto, and the coveted Calder Cup is inscribed with the names of legendary AHL alumni like Patrick Roy, Larry Robinson, Gerry Cheevers, Andy Bathgate, Tim Horton, Al Arbour, Emile Francis, Doug Harvey, and Billy Smith.

At the start of the 2021-22 season, the National Hockey League featured 21 head coaches who were former AHL bench bosses, including two-time Stanley Cup winner Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Colorado’s Jared Bednar, Washington’s Peter Laviolette, Pittsburgh’s Mike Sullivan, Nashville’s John Hynes, Toronto’s Sheldon Keefe, Vancouver’s Travis Green and the N.Y. Islanders’ Barry Trotz are also among the current NHL coaches who spent time in the American Hockey League before making the jump.

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

“Without my time in the AHL, the door to the NHL does not open.”

- J O N CO O PE R AHL COACH OF THE YEAR | ’11-12 CALDER CUP CHAMPION | ’12 STANLEY CUP CHAMPION | ’20, ’21

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 13

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Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 15

A H L D I R EC TO RY

EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION

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

NORTH DIVISION

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

BRIDGEPORT ISLANDERS

CHARLOTTE CHECKERS

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

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

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

HERSHEY BEARS

LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS

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

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

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

PROVIDENCE BRUINS

SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

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

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

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

16 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

2021-22

BELLEVILLE SENATORS

CLEVELAND MONSTERS

LAVAL ROCKET

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

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

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

ROCHESTER AMERICANS

SYRACUSE CRUNCH

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

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

TORONTO MARLIES

UTICA COMETS

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

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

THE ROAD TO THE CALDER CUP A total of 23 teams will qualify for postseason play in 202122, with five rounds of playoffs leading to the crowning of a Calder Cup champion.

In each of the AHL’s four divisions, all but two teams will qualify for postseason play, creating a playoff field of six teams in the Atlantic Division, five in the North Division, five in the Central Division and seven in the Pacific Division. Teams will be ranked by points percentage in the regular-season standings.

First Round matchups will be best-of-three series. The top two teams in the Atlantic Division, the top three teams in each of the North and Central Divisions, and the firstplace team in the Pacific Division will receive byes into the best-of-five Division Semifinals, with the First Round winners re-seeded in each division. The Division Finals will also be best-of-five series, followed by best-of-seven Conference Finals and a best-of-seven Calder Cup Finals.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 17

A H L D I R EC TO RY

WESTERN CONFERENCE PACIFIC DIVISION

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

CENTRAL DIVISION

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

COLORADO EAGLES

ABBOTSFORD CANUCKS

BAKERSFIELD CONDORS

NHL Affiliation............................Vancouver Canucks NHL Affiliation............................... Edmonton Oilers Home Ice..........................Abbotsford Entertainment Home Ice...................Mechanics Bank Arena (8,751) & Sports Centre (7,018) General Manager................................ Keith Gretzky Woodcroft General Manager................................Ryan Johnson Head Coach........................................ JayONTARIO Head Coach................................................Trent Cull Entered AHL................................................ 2015-16 PRIMARY M Entered AHL................................................ 2021-22 Calder Cups......................................................None Calder Cups......................................................None Seasons in Playoffs...........................................1 of 4 Seasons in Playoffs..............................................N/A 2020-21 Record.................... 24-14-0-1, 49 pts./.628 Website..............................abbotsford.canucks.com Website...............................bakersfieldcondors.com

HENDERSON SILVER KNIGHTS

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

ONTARIO REIGN

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

PANTONE 429 C

PROCESS BLACK

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SAN DIEGO GULLS

SAN JOSE BARRACUDA

STOCKTON HEAT

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

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

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

PANTONE 1655 C

PANTONE MEDIUM BLUE C

PANTONE 5455 C

PROCESS BLACK

WHITE

18 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

PANTONE 186 C

PANTONE 110 C

PANTONE 425 C

PANTONE 142 C

PROCESS BLACK

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2021-22

TUCSON ROADRUNNERS

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

CHICAGO WOLVES

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

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

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

IOWA WILD

MANITOBA MOOSE

MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS

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

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

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

ROCKFORD ICEHOGS

TEXAS STARS

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

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

20 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

DETROIT RED WINGS Photo credit: Getty Images

W

ith a young core powered by former Griffins such as Tyler Bertuzzi, Filip Hronek and Filip Zadina, the 202021 Detroit Red Wings achieved the NHL’s largest improvements last season in terms of both points percentage and goal differential.

Moritz Seider, Michael Rasmussen, Gustav Lindstrom and Givani Smith are among the Griffins alumni who’ve joined them in Hockeytown for 2021-22, the 20th season of affiliation between Grand Rapids and Detroit.

TOP AFFILIATE: Grand Rapids Griffins • 20th Season ARENA: Little Caesars Arena • Seating Capacity: 19,515 CONTACT: (313) 471-7000 • detroitredwings.com STANLEY CUPS: 1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008 MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE VP/GENERAL MANAGER: Steve Yzerman ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER: Pat Verbeek COACHING STAFF HEAD COACH: Jeff Blashill ASSISTANT COACHES: Doug Houda, Alex Tanguay GOALTENDING COACH: Jeff Salajko VIDEO COACH: LJ Scarpace ASSISTANT VIDEO COACH: Jeff Weintraub

GRIFFINS WHO HAVE EARNED THEIR WINGS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 21

MARK

YOUR

E S T. 1 9 9 6

FEB. 4 Kids 25th Anniversary Jersey Giveaway presented

by Comerica Bank

FEB. 5 Princess Night presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union/Princess Appearances/Tea Party

FEB. 19 ‘90s Night presented

by Play Gun Lake/Michel Picard Jersey Number Retirement Ceremony/ Mini Van Andel Arena Replica Giveaway/ Throwback Jersey Auction 22 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

CALENDAR FEB. 26 Hockey Without Barriers & Sensory Friendly Game presented by Adventure Credit Union/Tomas Tatar Champion Series Bobblehead Giveaway

MARCH 5 Star Wars Night presented by DTE/Character Appearances MARCH 18 10th Annual Purple Community Game presented by Van Andel Institute/Purple Jersey Auction APRIL 2 Margaritaville Night presented by Centennial Securities/ Jeff Hoggan Jersey Number Retirement Ceremony/Beach Hat Giveaway

APRIL 13 Jake Engel Memorial Dog Game No. 2 presented by Nestlé Purina

APR. 2

APRIL 22 Fan Appreciation Night presented

by Huntington Bank

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 23

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

G

S N O I T O PROM

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

$2 BEERS AND $2 HOT DOGS Every Friday, enjoy $2 domestic drafts and $2 hot dogs from 6-8 p.m., at select stands while supplies last.

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.

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.

LIBRARY NIGHTS For all Wednesday and Sunday games, fans can present their Grand Rapids Public Library card or Kent District Library card at the Van Andel Arena box office on the night of the game or at The Zone anytime during the store’s regular business hours to purchase either an Upper Level Faceoff ticket for $14 (regularly $16 advance and $19 day of game), an Upper Level Center Ice ticket for $17 (regularly $19 advance and $22 day of game) or a Lower Level Faceoff ticket for $20 (regularly $22 advance and $25 day of game). Limit four tickets per card per person, subject to availability.

FREE RIDE FRIDAY ON THE RAPID Ride the Rapid to and from any Friday game and enjoy a complimentary fare by showing your ticket to that night’s game.

Visit ridetherapid.org for schedule information, routes and maps.

WINNING WEDNESDAYS Presented by Michigan First Credit Union, every time the Griffins win at home on Wednesday, each fan in attendance will receive a free ticket to the next Wednesday game.

To redeem a Winning Wednesday ticket, please visit the box office following the Winning Wednesday game, The Zone during normal business hours, or the Van Andel Arena box office prior to the next Wednesday game beginning at 5:30 p.m. Fans who exchange

24 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

FRIENDS & FAMILY 4-PACKS Presented by Buddy’s Pizza and available for all Saturday games, each pack includes four tickets, one four square cheese pizza at Buddy’s Pizza, and $20 in concession cash for a great low price. Visit griffinshockey.comf4p or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2. Continuing this season, fans may use their concession cash to purchase healthy choice menu options at the stand located outside of section 126, including low-fat yogurt, apples, oranges, granola bars and smoothies.

PEPSI READING GOALS Children with Griff’s Reading Goals bookmarks who have completed the required three hours of reading can redeem their bookmark for two free Upper Level tickets to any of the following games: March 9 and 16; April 6.

POST-GAME OPEN SKATES Bring your skates to the rink and take to the ice for a post-game open skate on April 22. As a reminder, Van Andel Arena has a no-bag policy, but security will allow fans to use bags to bring in their skates.

MOS CORNER OFFICE Presented by Michigan Office Solutions, this section, located on the terrace level above section 118, provides the best seats in the house for groups of up to 30 people, with La-Z-Boy chairs and an array of unprecedented amenities. Call (616) 774-4585 ext. 4.

DAVE & BUSTER’S FREE SUPERCHARGE Take your Griffins ticket to Dave & Buster’s or show your mobile ticket to receive a free supercharge of your Power Card.

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

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The global pandemic proved to be a blessing in disguise for Donovan Sebrango, whose accelerated hockey education has allowed him to earn the confidence of his coaches in the AHL.

A TRUSTED DEVELOPMENT

Story and photos

by Mark Newman

26 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Under normal circumstances, defenseman Donovan Sebrango likely would be playing his final season in the Ontario Hockey League right now, using his last teenage year to fine-tune his play in preparation for the pros.

Obviously, these are not “normal” times.

Turn back the clock to mid-January 2021, when hockey in Canada and the U.S. was in limbo due to the coronavirus. Like others his age, Sebrango – who had just turned 19 – was willing to play almost anywhere in hopes of continuing his development as a promising prospect of the Detroit Red Wings.

He headed to Slovakia, a part of the world that was not completely unfamiliar to him. Sebrango had been a member of the silver medal-winning Team Canada at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup summer tournament, which was held in Breclav, Czech Republic, and Piestany, Slovakia.

Playing in the Tipos Extraliga, the highestlevel ice hockey league in Slovakia, Sebrango saw action in five games. He recorded a goal and two assists before getting the news that he was going to play for the Griffins during the abbreviated 2020-21 AHL season.

Thankfully, the Canadian Hockey League rule that prevents 19-year-olds from playing in the AHL was waived. Typically, teenagers are

constrained to their junior teams unless they can make an NHL roster.

“The original plan for me was to play in Slovakia until the OHL started, but then I got word that I was heading to Grand Rapids and the rest is now history,” he said. “A lot of my old teammates weren’t playing, so I was grateful just to get some games in. I got something good out of a bad situation.”

Advancing to the AHL was a big test for Sebrango, who was the fourth-youngest defenseman in the league last season. Challenges, however, were nothing new for the Ottawa, Ontario, native.

As a good Canadian, he started skating at a young age. He was not enthusiastic at first.

“I don’t remember how old I was, but I remember not liking it at first,” he said. “When I was super young, I remember not being a fan of it and wanting to quit. I wasn’t forced, but I was gently pushed to get out there again and I ended up loving it.”

Sebrango leaned heavily on the support of his mother, Kim, who had fallen in love with the sport of hockey as a young girl. She was a big fan of goaltender Glenn “Chico” Resch, who started his pro career with the Muskegon Mohawks before playing 14 seasons in the NHL, including Sebrango was selected by the Red Wings in the third round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 27

1979-80 when he won a Stanley Cup with the New York Islanders.

As a single mom, she made sure that Donovan and his older sister, Gabby, had everything they needed to excel. She knew her son had athletic potential, having inherited physical skills from her former husband, Eduardo Sebrango – Donovan’s dad – who had been a member of the Cuban national soccer team before playing professionally in Canada for the better part of a decade.

Even as a boy, Sebrango was singularly focused. Kim had once described her son as “stubborn” before softening her assessment to the more palatable “determined.”

“Depending on who you asked, I could be either one of those,” he agreed. “Since I was young, I knew what I wanted and nothing was going to get in my way until I got there. I think my mom realized that, too, so she helped me along the way. Some days, you could ask her and she would have said I was stubborn. Other days I was just driven. It all depended on the day.”

Sebrango no longer remembers why he became a defenseman, but it’s the only position that he has ever known. “Once I had been playing the position for a while, I saw no reason to change,” he said.

Sebrango, who turned 20 on Jan. 12, 2022, is in his second season with the Griffins.

28 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

He showed a superior skill set and a strong hockey sense that exceeded his years. By grade 8, he was heading for the Canadian International Hockey Academy, a school where the curriculum is designed to prepare students for the rigors of future careers in the sport, combining quality education with an elite hockey experience.

“Talking to my mom, we felt it was the right decision for me to get ready for the next phase, which was junior hockey,” he said. “Moving away gave me an early step, just living on my own, and it helped make the transition to playing junior a little easier. Some of my best memories in minor hockey were at CIH and it was the best decision I made.”

Sebrango was originally slated to play for the school’s varsity squad, considering he was a year too young for the Major Bantam team. He quickly proved he was ready to play above his age group, dressing for the majority of the season and tallying 11 points in 29 games.

Although he struggled with some homesickness, Sebrango stayed, determined to push forward. He was named a captain for his second season at the school when he scored 29 points in 30 games, tops among the team’s defensemen.

“Everything I did centered around hockey,” he

Sebrango played two seasons of junior hockey with the Kitchener Rangers before turning pro.

said. “Living with your teammates in the same dorm, going to school with them, allowed me to get close with the guys. It was great for my development. Weight training, for example, was relatively new to me because I was still growing, but once I knew what I was doing, it was something I took advantage of. Not every kid gets to be in the gym every day, especially at that age.”

If Sebrango was not an all-star in the classroom, he knew how to hit the books.

“I wasn’t always a fan of school, but I knew if I wanted to play hockey, I had to be a good student,” he said. “It’s kind of cliche, but it’s also true. Going to a hockey school, if you didn’t get your work done, you didn’t get on the ice. That motivated me to get my work done.”

At the age of 15, he verbally committed to Boston University, planning to start his college hockey career in 2020-21. Eight months later, he changed his mind. “(Going to Boston U.) felt right for me and my family at the time, but it didn’t end up working out,” Sebrango said. “It had nothing to do with the school. Some things changed and it just made more sense for me to play junior. It became clear that junior hockey was going to be a better option.”

Sebrango signed with the Kitchener Rangers after the team chose him in the second round (40th overall pick) in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.

In Kitchener, his game took another step forward, thanks in part to one of the team’s assistant coaches, Dennis Wideman, a former NHL defenseman who played 815 games with St. Louis, Boston, Florida, Washington and Calgary before his retirement in 2017.

“He was a big mentor,” Sebrango said.

“Watching video with him and being able to pick his brain helped me a lot. He showed me the way, so he was definitely a big help in my development. My time in Kitchener was the best couple of years of my life. We had a great group of guys, we really bonded, and we had a great run before Covid took us out.”

Kitchener went 33-6-0-3 after Mike McKenzie took over the head coaching reins 21 games into the 2019-20 season. A full dozen of the Rangers were NHL draftees, including Sebrango, who was chosen in the third round (63rd overall) by the Red Wings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

The NHL event was held remotely on Oct. 6-7, 2020 after being postponed earlier in the year due to the pandemic. The draft was originally Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 29

scheduled for June 26-27 at the Bell Centre in Montreal but ultimately took place with teams convening via videoconferencing.

Sebrango’s excitement at being chosen by an Original Six team was tempered by the truth of a highly transmissible virus that had turned the sports world upside down. Indeed, it was a troubling situation for people from all walks of life, including young hockey players hungry for ice time.

“When you’re not playing and not doing what you love, it takes a toll on you, especially when you’re not sure whether you’ll ever get to play,” he said. “Once we found out that it was going to take some time before we would be able to play here (in North America), I went over to Europe and played there.”

While Sebrango enjoyed his short-lived sojourn to Slovakia, he was thrilled when he learned that he would be able to play with the Griffins last season. He made his pro debut on Feb. 11, 2021, in Chicago, then recorded his first point (an assist) in his seventh AHL game.

“Everyone is another level (better) compared to junior hockey, so it took a few games to get adjusted,” he said. “Everyone is faster, everyone is stronger, but once you get adjusted, you realize it’s the same game that you’ve been playing for a

while. When you start to gain more confidence, you can stick to playing your game. You adapt.”

His adjustment to the AHL was made a little easier with the help of teammates who did what they could to make him feel more at ease, even when the league’s coronavirus protocols played havoc with team ideals like camaraderie and esprit de corps, concepts that were tempered by social distancing requirements.

“Everyone helped me out,” Sebrango said.

“Being good teammates, they made me feel comfortable in the room, which allowed me to gain some confidence. The coaching staff showed they believed in me by giving me playing time, which enabled me to feel more comfortable.”

Sebrango played in all but one of the Griffins’ 32 games last season, recording four assists in the process.

He went into this past summer unsure where he would play. Normally he would have been ineligible to play in the AHL, but the NHL was able to negotiate a one-time exception for those players who took part in at least 20 AHL contests during the 2020-21 season when their teams were not operating.

Being sent back to his junior league could have been viewed as a step back in his development.

“When I got the word that I was going to be Sebrango wants to improve his consistency as a shutdown defenseman.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 31

able to play in the AHL again, I was definitely excited,” he said. “I was ready to get going with a ‘normal,’ or at least a full, season in Grand Rapids.”

Twenty games into this season, Sebrango got one last chance to compete with players in his age group when he was named a member of Team Canada for this year’s World Junior Championship. The 10-team tournament was scheduled for Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.

“It was a surreal feeling once I got the word, almost a feeling I can’t describe,” he said. “It’s a huge honor.”

Sebrango was one of the final cuts at Canada’s camp the previous year, so being named one of the eight defensemen on the 2022 squad was a moment he will never forget. “I called my mom right away, seconds after I found out,” he said.

“She was crying as soon as I told her. She couldn’t believe it.”

Representing his country on the world stage was an honor that Sebrango was more than happy to share with his mom. “She’s my rock.

She’s my everything,” he said. Growing up, as a single parent, she had to be a father and a mom to me. I owe the world to her.”

He wasted little time in showing that he meant business. In Canada’s opening game against Czechia on Dec. 26, he quickly set the tone by hammering Buffalo Sabres prospect Jakub Konecny with an open-ice hit in the neutral zone, a play that elicited cheers from the Canadian faithful.

Playing physical and fearless is nothing new for Sebrango. “It’s definitely been a part of my game for a while and it’s something that keeps growing as I keep growing,” he said. “I think I’m a bit of an old-school defenseman with a little bit of new school. I think I’m a pretty tough, gritty kind of guy. But I think I add offense, so I got a little bit of the old-age hockey in me and a kind of new-era offensive defenseman.”

In his world juniors debut, Sebrango topped his check of a Czech by scoring the game-tying goal late in the first period. Capitalizing on a perfect backhand pass from Winnipeg rookie Cole Perfetti, he knotted the score at 3-3 on the way to his team’s 6-3 victory.

“It was an incredible feeling, especially since I hadn’t scored in awhile,” he said. “Getting that goal meant everything to me and having my mom there made it even more special.”

Canada defeated Austria 11-2 in its second Sebrango scored a goal for Team Canada in his 2022 World Junior Championship debut.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

32 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

I love the feeling that this home is all mine, and that I was able to do it with the help of LMCU.

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11804 2021-2022 Griffiti Ads_Jan3.indd 1 game on the strength of four goals from 16-yearold Connor Bedard, a nephew of former Red Wings goalie coach Jim Bedard. The rest of the tournament was canceled as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus continued to spread.

Sebrango was disappointed by the premature end of the event, but he was pleased that he was able to experience the excitement around it, even on a limited basis. “You’re grateful for every moment you’re there,” he said. “Even though it was cut short, I wouldn’t take back any time I spent there.”

Upon his return to Grand Rapids, he scored his first pro goal in his second game back. His New Year’s Day tally was his first goal in 53 games with the Griffins. Given his Boxing Day goal in the world junior tournament, Sebrango chuckles at the suggestion that he needs to find more holidays to play on.

He knows his offensive play is still a work-inprogress. While his reputation will be built on being a shut-down defenseman, he hopes he can be counted on to chip in points when needed.

“When you’re playing in the AHL, you realize that it’s a tougher league,” he said. “When you’re playing against seasoned pros, it’s definitely more

12/20/21 2:29 PM of a challenge. You can’t take any shifts off or any nights off. You have to be ready to bring it every night.

“I realize that this is my league now and where I will be playing for a bit. I do what I’m asked to do and then see what happens from there. My confidence is good because my teammates and coaches believe in me. It feels good to have them on my side.”

Sebrango feels he is in a good place. His mom visited for a couple of weeks recently, which he says was “a good feeling.”

“Being able to look up in the crowd and seeing her in Grand Rapids was great,” he said. “It was good to show her where I’ve been living. I love it here. I’m playing with a great bunch of guys and great coaches. I have nothing bad to say, so I’m having fun.”

He realizes that he has been fortunate to pursue his dream in less-than-ideal circumstances created by the coronavirus.

“It’s been a weird couple of years, but circumstances switched things around and pushed me forward,” he said. “I’m grateful for everything that has happened for me so far.”

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 33

Story and photos

by Mark Newman

SOONER THAN LATER

34 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Tyler Bertuzzi is hellbent on bringing the Red Wings back to playoff contention, and his recent play has shown that he can be the same difference maker in the NHL that he was in Grand Rapids.

When Tyler Bertuzzi scored four goals in the Red Wings’ 2021-22 season opener against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, it was as though he was shooting a flare with dramatic flair to signal his arrival as a legitimate star.

If some critics dismissed the 26-year-old’s performance as a one-night wonder, Bertuzzi soon proved that he is no flash in the pan. After Detroit’s first 10 games, Bertuzzi had already tallied nine goals and six assists.

“Bert’s a hell of a player,” Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill said in post-game comments after Bertuzzi had two goals and two assists to rally Detroit to a 4-3 overtime win in Buffalo last Nov. 6. “He’s a hell of a competitor. He’s a great person, but he’s a hell of a player. And I don’t know if he gets his due all the time for as good a player as he is.”

Blashill knows what Griffins fans know. When the chips are down, few players are better at producing than Bertuzzi.

During his three-plus seasons in Grand Rapids, Bertuzzi recorded 23 goals and 16 assists in 42 playoff games. Blashill was coaching the Griffins during the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs when the rookie Bertuzzi potted seven goals in

Bertuzzi likes to hustle to the hard areas on the ice.

Goal celebrations were a common occurrence during Bertuzzi’s time in Grand Rapids.

his first 14 postseason games, including four game-winning tallies.

“I remember coming into my first playoff and Blash was the coach,” Bertuzzi said. “I think that playoff run was big for my career. Just getting that early playoff experience was helpful in terms of playing pro hockey.”

Bertuzzi, of course, was only getting started.

After tallying seven more goals in just nine games before the Griffins’ second-round exit in 2015-16, he took home the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the most valuable player of the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs when the Griffins won their second championship in five years.

“Winning a Calder Cup was huge for my development,” said Bertuzzi, who had nine goals and 10 assists in 19 playoff games that year. “In the playoffs, you’ve got to be able to elevate your game. You learn to battle every night and I think it ultimately helps your play.”

The current season has seen Bertuzzi elevate his game to a new level. After a great start, he went 11 games without a goal before he started possibly the hottest streak of his NHL career.

In 13 contests from Dec. 16 to Jan. 22, Bertuzzi scored 10 goals while adding eight assists as the Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 35

Red Wings found themselves on a winning track halfway into the season.

As he often showed during his time in Grand Rapids, Bertuzzi seems to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time – and that’s not something that happens by accident.

Call it good hockey sense or the good fortune that results from putting himself in the best position to score, he excels by creating the kind of chances that often result in points.

“I pride myself in going to the net and trying to create space for myself,” he said. “I’m always trying to go to the net, so I’ll score those types of goals. But I’m trying to expand my goal-scoring ability by trying to shoot from everywhere while still continuing to go to the net.”

Hockey observers often say that the puck follows certain players around the ice, but usually, it’s the other way around. Smart players instinctively put themselves into areas of the ice where the puck finds them, and they are able to create those high-quality scoring chances.

In terms of hockey sense, Bertuzzi’s talent is off the charts.

Like Wayne Gretzky famously observed, the way to become a difference maker is in skating to where the puck is going to be rather than where it has been. When you can anticipate the action, you are able to produce more points.

On Jan. 9 this season, Bertuzzi saw the puck squirt toward him on the far side of the net after defenseman Marc Staal tried a wrap-around chance. Without hesitation, Bertuzzi buried the shot into the open net behind the Anaheim Ducks goaltender.

“A lot of the pucks are going to go toward the net, so that’s where I like to go,” Bertuzzi said. “When you go to the net, you’ll often get rewarded, so I’ll continue to do that. It’s finding those little spots on the ice where you think the puck is going to go and trying to catch the goalie as open as possible.”

Five days earlier, Bertuzzi skated from behind the goal, then backhanded the puck toward the net. The shot surprised the unsuspecting San Jose netminder, allowing the puck to deflect off the goalie’s stick into the open cage.

Bertuzzi knows that today’s goalies are so skilled, it’s a good idea to shoot when they least expect it. Catch them napping or catch them when their guard is down and your chances of getting the puck past them will improve. Create havoc whenever possible to distract them or to 36 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Bertuzzi is scoring at the best pace of his career.

catch them out of position.

On Jan. 15, the Red Wings converted on the power play after tic-tac-toe puck movement allowed Bertuzzi to bury a rebound, giving Detroit the first goal in a 4-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres at Little Caesars Arena. If you blinked, you might have missed his shot.

The fact is that the puck never seems to be on Bertuzzi’s stick for long. He prefers a quick release rather than waiting for the perfect shot and possibly telegraphing his actions. “You want to get your shot off as quick as possible so they can’t get set in their position, that’s the biggest thing,” he said.

Most of Bertuzzi’s points come from those spots on the ice that are described as the “hard areas,” down low and close to the net where players have to fight for every inch. In another recent game, Bertuzzi was battling along the boards before he managed to free the puck to Robby Fabbri, who found Dylan Larkin coming off the bench and streaking toward the net.

“I was trying to keep working hard down low, hold onto the puck, and make a smart play,” Bertuzzi said. “Obviously ‘Fab’ made a good play to find Dylan in the slot.”

Bertuzzi and Larkin have been on the Red Wings’ top line for most of the season, having found chemistry in recent years. “Me and Dylan have always had a pretty good connection on the ice and we seem to draw off each other,” he said of his relationship with the Red Wings’ captain.

Larkin, meanwhile, contends that Bertuzzi doesn’t always get the credit he deserves. “I couldn’t be more proud of him,” Larkin told the media earlier this season. “When he’s been on the ice with us, he battles. He battles for his guys, his teammates, and he’s one of my best friends. It’s great to see his confidence just take off.”

Before the start of the season, there was some question of who would fill the other spot on the Larkin-Bertuzzi line. Lucas Raymond, now a candidate for this season’s Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie alongside teammate Moritz Seider, quickly filled the role.

“Raymond has been awesome for us,” Bertuzzi said. “He brings another ability to score from anywhere. If we can get him the puck and he can create some space, we know we’ll get our chances.”

It didn’t take long for the Red Wings to recognize that they had something extra special in the player that general manager Steve Yzerman

had decided to take with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

“Even during our summer skates, Dylan and I were talking and Raymond looked really good,” Bertuzzi said. “Obviously you can’t judge him on that alone, but he continued to look good during the preseason and he managed to transition right into the regular season.

“He’s made a good name for himself and he’s been really good for us this year.”

Larkin and defenseman Danny DeKeyser are the only players who remain from Bertuzzi’s first substantial season (2017-18) in Detroit, which Bertuzzi called “crazy,” but which is evidence of the wholesale changes that the Red Wings needed to make to regain their reputation as a perennial Cup contender.

Bertuzzi said the team as a whole is building confidence.

“We’ve made positive steps this year,” he said.

“We’re a very young team with a few older guys who are really good in the locker room and are key pieces on the ice. I think everyone is jelling together great, but we need to keep improving and keep getting wins.”

Although he missed most of last season with a back injury, Bertuzzi said he could see signs Bertuzzi was awarded the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the playoff MVP for the 2016-17 season.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 37

that the team was already beginning to turn the corner back to respectability.

“You could see toward the end of last season that the team was playing with more confidence and guys were playing good hockey,” he said. “I think it transitioned into this year and we added some more pieces to the team. I think we’re going pretty good now.”

While the addition of rookies Raymond and Seider have provided a boost of youth and energy this season, the past couple of years have seen the Red Wings add other critical pieces like Vladislav Namestnikov, Pius Suter, and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic.

“Everything is starting to come together,” Bertuzzi said. “Everyone is playing really well and we all are playing together as one unit.”

Finally, the Red Wings feel they can battle any team on any given night. “That’s what we’re looking for every night. We want to be competitive,” Bertuzzi said. “Obviously you try to win every night, but it’s important to be able to stay in the game and give yourself a chance every night.”

Bertuzzi thinks Blashill has become a better coach since coming to Detroit after winning the 2013 Calder Cup in Grand Rapids. He feels the coaching staff does a good job of getting the Red Wings ready to win every night.

“Whether you’re a hockey player or a coach, you learn through the years and through your experiences,” he said. “We’ve been growing together as a team, and you learn from one season and then move on to the next. He’s a better coach today, for sure.”

Bertuzzi looks forward to seeing the Red Wings return to the postseason, where they have been missing since the 2015-16 season. “That’s our goal. We want to be in the mix and fight for a playoff spot. That’s our goal now and that will be our goal next year and for years to come.”

As far as Bertuzzi is concerned, it’s only a matter of time, a moment that he expects will come sooner than later.

“We know we’re heading in the right direction,” Bertuzzi said. “We feel we have a lot of key pieces now. With time and more players, we’ll get to where we need to be.”

Few players in Griffins history have scored more timely goals than Bertuzzi.

38 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

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2021 -22 11

27 RILEY BARBER

51

Defenseman 6-2, 200 lbs.

Born: 8/18/90 Kelowna, B.C.

9

KYLE CRISCUOLO

Forward 5-9, 180 lbs.

Born: 5/5/92 Southampton, N.J.

17 Forward 5-10, 170 lbs.

Born: 6/30/96 Calgary, Alta.

40 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

1

JONATAN BERGGREN Forward 5-11, 195 lbs.

Born: 7/16/00 Uppsala, Sweden

PATRICK CURRY

Forward 5-11, 190 lbs.

Born: 1/9/96 Schaumburg, Ill.

Defenseman 6-3, 215 lbs.

Born: 7/16/90 Albany, N.Y.

Goaltender 6-4, 202 lbs.

Born: 3/22/97 Goteborg, Sweden

TURNER ELSON

KADEN FULCHER

Forward 6-0, 194 lbs.

Born: 9/13/92 Edmonton, Alta

71 BRIAN LASHOFF

VICTOR BRATTSTROM

36

15

18 TARO HIROSE

E S T. 1 9 9 6

48 SETH BARTON

Forward 6-0, 205 lbs.

Born: 2/7/94 Pittsburgh, Pa.

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS ROSTER

Goaltender 6-3, 201 lbs.

Born: 9/23/98 Brigden, Ont.

3 JON MARTIN

Forward 6-2, 215 lbs.

Born: 8/23/95 Winnipeg, Man.

JARED McISAAC Defenseman 6-1, 192 lbs.

Born: 3/27/00 Truro, N.S.

West Michigan’s Power Play.

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6

40 RYAN MURPHY

Defenseman 5-11, 180 lbs.

Born: 3/31/93 Markham, Ont.

20

WYATT NEWPOWER

DAN RENOUF

79 Forward 5-10, 177 lbs.

Born: 8/8/00 Yekaterinburg, Russia

Forward 6-3, 203 lbs.

Born: 8/23/97 Alpharetta, Ga.

65

DONOVAN SEBRANGO

Forward 6-2, 200 lbs.

Born: 1/13/00 Kirkland, Que.

Goaltender 6-1, 210 lbs.

Born: 4/15/92 Moncton, N.B.

32 Forward 5-11, 180 lbs.

Born: 4/18/93 Detroit, Mich.

TYLER SPEZIA

Forward 5-10, 175 lbs.

Born: 6/7/93 Clinton Township, Mich.

28

38 JOE VELENO

CALVIN PICKARD

DOMINIK SHINE

Defenseman 6-2, 195 lbs.

Born: 1/12/02 Kingston, Ont.

90

KIRILL TYUTYAYEV

CHASE PEARSON

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

37

Defenseman 6-3, 205 lbs.

Born: 6/1/94 Pickering, Ont.

31

22

HAYDEN VERBEEK Forward 5-10, 183 lbs.

Born: 10/17/97 Kingston, Ont.

LUKE WITKOWSKI Defenseman 6-2, 220 lbs.

Born: 4/14/90 Holland, Mich.

NOT PICTURED #81 Justin Abdelkader, Forward #14 Matt Berry, Forward #26 Erik Bradford, Forward #55 Josh Dickinson, Forward

21 DENNIS YAN

Forward 6-2, 192 lbs.

Born: 4/14/97 Portland, Ore.

#41 Blake Hillman, Defenseman #25 Brett McKenzie, Forward #16 Gordi Myer, Defenseman Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 41

‘PIC’ OF THE LITTER The most prolific scorer in Grand Rapids Griffins history will be immortalized on Saturday, Feb. 19 when the team retires the No. 7 jersey of left wing Michel Picard. He will join longtime teammate Travis Richards (No. 24) as the only Griffins players to have their numbers raised to the Van Andel Arena rafters, with esteemed former captain Jeff Hoggan’s No. 10 set to join them on Saturday, April 2.

After making his Griffins debut and scoring the franchise’s first goal in its inaugural game on Oct. 5, 1996, Picard went on to play 364 games over six seasons with Grand Rapids (1996-00; 02-04) – the fourth-highest games played total in franchise history – and still ranks as the Griffins’ all-time leader with 158 goals, 222 assists, 380 points, 40 power play goals and 26 game-winning goals.

Beginning in 1996-97, when his 101 points (4655—101) made him the first and only Griffin to date to hit the century mark, he led the team in scoring in each of his five full seasons, something no other Griffin has done more than twice. Among Griffins who’ve played at least 100 games, his scoring average (1.04 points per game) stands first while his goal average (.43 goals per game) ranks third.

Picard helped the Griffins claim division titles in both 2002-03 and 1999-00, the latter time when he led the team in scoring during both the regular season and playoffs on its way to a berth in the 2000 IHL Turner Cup Finals. An owner of 14 franchise records, Picard was named an IHL First Team All-Star in 1997 and an AHL Second Team All-Star in 2003, in addition to representing Grand Rapids in the 1997 and 1998 IHL All-Star Games. He also became the Griffins’ fourth NHL graduate when he played for the St. Louis Blues on Jan. 6, 1998.

Quite simply, many of Picard’s individual achievements have not and will never be approached by any other Grand Rapids player. Make plans to join us on Feb. 19 when his No. 7 takes its rightful place in the arena’s rafters.

42 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

158 GOALS

55% More Than No. 2 Francis Pare (102)

222 ASSISTS

22% More Than No. 2 Travis Richards (182)

380 POINTS

60% More Than No. 2 Travis Richards (238)

Purchase your tickets now for these historic jersey number retirement ceremonies!

MICHEL PICARD Sat., Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. vs. Rockford IceHogs

JEFF HOGGAN 40 POWER PLAY GOALS 54% More Than No. 2 Kip Miller/ Eric Tangradi (26)

26 GAME-WINNING GOALS 44% More Than No. 2 Darryl Bootland (18)

Sat., April 2 at 7 p.m. vs. Texas Stars

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 43

Story by Mark Newman

ROLLING WITH THE PUNCHES Life is always an adventure for rugged Luke Witkowski, the Holland native who has made a career out of bouncing between the NHL and AHL.

44 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Around the right elbow of Luke Witkowski is a tattoo that reads “Movimiento es vida,” which is Spanish for “Movement is life.” It’s a reference from World War Z, the zombie pandemic film starring Brad Pitt that happens to be a favorite of his and his wife Erin.

The phrase resonates on a couple of levels for Witkowski, an avid outdoorsman who loves all types of fishing as well as other adventure activities. It is also an approximation of his pro hockey career, which has seen him move twice between the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings as well as moves up and down to their AHL affiliates.

Witkowski has already made a few trips to the Wings’ taxi squad this year after starting the season with the Griffins. Although he would always rather be playing, he doesn’t mind waiting for another chance to play in the NHL. Being on the taxi squad, “the food is way better, the rooms are nicer, but you’re not playing, so you’re in limbo, but you’ve got to stay ready,” he said. “You’re in the middle but you’re still closer to where everybody wants to be.”

Never one to be afraid to drop the gloves to protect his teammates, Witkowski has learned to roll with the punches.

“That’s been the story my entire career,” he said. “And I don’t plan on changing (careers) any time soon.”

His story starts in Holland, Mich., where he was born into a blue collar family, four years after his older brother Nick, now a management program analyst with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“When we were younger, he’d beat me up a lot… until I got bigger. Of course, we got mature so he doesn’t mess with me now,” he chuckles.

“We’ve been best friends from the time I was 14 until the present.”

Their parents, John and Kristen Witkowski, loved the outdoors, so camping and fishing became frequent family pastimes. The outdoors was always their favorite playground.

His official start in hockey came at Griff ’s IceHouse West in Holland, which was known as the Edge Ice Arena when it opened in 1998 when he was eight years old.

“The dad of one of my best friends growing up was from Vancouver and he had seen me skate,” he said. “In Holland, they had these tennis courts that they would fill up and freeze and that’s where we played hockey. When he saw me skate, he told my dad, ‘You gotta get that kid into hockey.’ The Witkowski is not afraid to drop his gloves if the situation calls for a response.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 45

rest is history.”

Witkowski took to the sport like a duck takes to water.

“I immediately loved it and the other sports fell to the wayside,” he said. “I ran a little track in high school and the soccer coach in high school tried to get me to play goalie but I didn’t want to do that. The football coach always wanted me to play because I played a little football in middle school, but hockey just really took over because I enjoyed it more than anything else.”

He spent two seasons in the GRAHA program and soon was immersed in the local hockey scene. “I grew up going to Griffins games,” he said. “It’s funny that I’m now playing for the team.”

Although neither of his parents had played the sport, they were totally supportive of his interest in hockey.

“They would take turns driving me,” he said.

“My dad would usually do the longer weekend trips. Sometimes they’d both go. When we went to places like New York or Minnesota, they would turn it into a camping trip. They’d take me out to wherever and they’d stay the week and camp. They’d find ways to kill two birds with one stone.”

Eventually, his play reached the point where he decided to leave home for hockey. At 17, he headed to the USHL to play for the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets in preparation for college hockey at Western Michigan University.

“As soon as I had the chance, I was going, no questions asked,” he said. “I was already committed to Western at the time and I didn’t want to go play major junior, so it was a pretty easy decision. My mom may have missed me. My dad probably didn’t miss me much. He probably wanted me out of the house.”

Already regarded as a physical, stay-at-home defenseman, he was picked by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the sixth round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

“That was amazing,” he said. “I knew there was a chance because I was ranked, but I wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t go to the draft because I was at my grandparents’ house in Holland for their 50th anniversary, so I was with all my family when I got the call. It still gives me chills thinking about it. That was a very good moment.”

He played another year in the USHL with the Fargo Force before joining the WMU Broncos, a struggling team in its last season under head 46 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

coach Jim Culhane.

“I may have thought about Michigan and I was kind of a Boston College fan, but Western invited me to a visit,” he recalled. “The head coach at the time said, ‘Would you rather play for Michigan or would you rather beat Michigan?’ I thought about it and I thought OK, let’s do it. And that first year we didn’t beat Michigan once.”

But the fortunes of Western, which had been unranked for years, soon changed.

Jeff Blashill took charge of the Broncos during Witkowski’s sophomore year before leaving to be an assistant coach with the Red Wings and, later, the head coach of the Griffins. Andy Murray, who had spent the previous 10 years as an NHL head coach with the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues, was WMU’s bench boss during his junior and senior years.

“With Andy Murray, we were always prepared for every game,” he said. “That guy prepares more than anybody. I don’t think he sleeps. He lives hockey. He breathes hockey. He eats hockey.

Attention to detail was very important to him.”

When it came to his development, Witkowski gives special kudos to Pat Ferschweiler, an assistant at the time who would later become an assistant with the Griffins and Red Wings before becoming the head coach at Western this season.

“Pat Ferschweiler did the most for me,” he said. “Because I was playing defense there, he helped me hone my game and made me a more consistent player. Look at what he’s doing now as head coach. Western is ranked third in the country this year.”

Witkowski joined the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch after his senior season and saw action in three regular season games, but his youth and inexperience cost him a spot on the playoff roster for the team that would eventually face the Griffins in the 2013 Calder Cup Finals.

He spent the next three seasons splitting his time between Syracuse and Tampa. He made his NHL debut during the 2014-15 season and appeared in a career-high 34 NHL games during the 2016-17 season when he found himself becoming a more valuable piece, thanks to newfound versatility.

“I think there was one game in the minors where I played forward but I was in Tampa sometime in 2016 and we had some injuries.

(Head coach) Jon Cooper asked me if I would play forward and I said, ‘Yeah, sure.’ I think I did pretty well. I was doing my job and doing what I

needed to do, so I just went with the flow.”

In addition to his 34 contests in Tampa, Witkowski also played 19 games for the Syracuse Crunch during the 2016-17 season. He was back in Tampa at the end of the regular season when the Crunch began another Calder Cup run that once again ended at the hands of Grand Rapids.

“They didn’t want to send me through waivers and risk losing me, so I didn’t get to play,” he said.

As luck would have it, Tampa would lose him during the off-season to another team that recognized his value. Witkowski signed with the Red Wings and started 2017-18 in Detroit, where he would remain for the next two seasons.

“Joining the Red Wings organization for the first time was amazing,” he said. “The day my agent called and said they were really interested and the day I signed with the team rank among the best days in my life. There were instant chills and my phone began ringing off the hook.

“Honestly, it was a dream come true. When you grow up a hockey player in Michigan that’s where you want to play, and to have gotten that opportunity is incredible.”

He saw sporadic action during his first season in Detroit. He had played only 20 games with the Wings before he notched his first NHL

goal on Feb. 17, 2018. A pass from Anthony Mantha sent him on a breakaway and he used a beautiful backhand to beat Nashville netminder Juuse Saros.

“It happened to be the Red Wings fathers’ trip, so my dad was there,” he said. “I wasn’t even supposed to be on the ice. [Justin] Abdelkader had run into [Trevor] Daley and Daley was slow getting off the ice. Our ‘D’ coach didn’t say who was up, so I jumped onto the ice and just happened to get the puck, and away I went.

“It was awesome that I got to share that moment with my father. It can’t get much better than that.”

After two seasons in Detroit, Witkowski returned to the Lightning for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 campaigns. His fishing pole likely saw more action than he did. His playing time was curtailed both years, first by the talent on Tampa’s Stanley Cup-winning roster and secondly by the shortening of the season due to the threat of the coronavirus.

Witkowski is as serious about fishing as he is with his chosen profession. Whether it’s the Great Lakes or the Florida coast or somewhere between or beyond, he will happily go anywhere there are fish to be caught. His Instagram feed is filled with

Witkowski (center) celebrated his first NHL goal with Red Wings teammates Anthony Mantha and Justin Abdelkader, who assisted on the play.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 47

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48 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

pictures of species of all sorts, from brown trout and sturgeon to tarpon and tuna.

“When you’re actively pursuing a certain fish and you catch it, it’s awesome,” he said. “I have a pretty big list of fish I want to catch in my life.

Roosterfish, mahi-mahi, marlin, pretty much any fish that exists. I’ve been to Alaska multiple times, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

“My family went on camping and fishing trips all the time when I was growing up. My dad would throw us in the car and we would travel all over the country. We’d bring our fishing poles and usually camp wherever we went. I didn’t grow up golfing. My dad taught me how to fish.”

He has also done his share of hunting. “I grew up rabbit hunting, pheasant hunting, turkey hunting, and deer hunting,” he said. “I didn’t get a buck but I shot two deer last year. My wife doesn’t eat pork or beef, so we eat a lot of venison.”

There is now a third mouth to feed. He and his wife welcomed the arrival of their daughter, Fenn, who will celebrate her second birthday on Feb. 6.

“It’s crazy how much she has changed our lives,” he said. “We own a house on the east side of the state, but we’ve been living at my parents’ house in Holland right now and it’s been great.

Witkowski turned pro after playing four years of hockey at Western Michigan University.

Howard retired with the thirdmost goaltending wins in Red Wings history.

Luke and Erin Witkowski were wed in 2017.

She’s hilarious. One of her favorite things to do is wash dishes with my dad. She definitely has a personality and it’s been fun to watch her grow.”

Luke, Erin and Fenn live upstairs and his parents still work, so everything has been working out since he decided to return to the Red Wings last fall, signing a new two-year deal with Detroit as he continues to bounce between the two organizations.

Now in his 10th pro season, Witkowski considers himself very fortunate. “They’re both very good organizations who treat their players very well,” he said. “That’s why they attract the players they do.”

Some NHL observers might be surprised to learn that Witkowski is more than happy to be playing in Grand Rapids this season.

“I’m really enjoying hockey right now,” he said. “Hockey’s good. Life’s good. We have a good group in both Grand Rapids and Detroit.

When guys are close, you enjoy coming to the rink every day, and that helps everybody when it comes time to play the game.”

He is especially thankful for all the ice time that he is getting this season, whether he’s playing defense or helping out at forward.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 49

“It’s been nice. This year in GR, I get to play at least. When I was in the NHL, I might get only six or seven minutes and I felt like I couldn’t get better. I’ve noticed this year that I’m getting more confident at playing forward.”

“If you ask [Griffins coach] Ben Simon, he doesn’t even need to have the conversation with me. He can just put it on the board. I’ll do whatever he needs.”

In fact, Witkowski has played both forward and defense in the same game this year.

“Most of the time, it’s a quick fix,” he said. “My last game in GR, I played the first two periods at forward and the third period at defense. When I’m playing forward, I’m usually playing on the penalty kill. It’s funny. Sometimes I’ll switch back to defense and I’ll catch myself going in on the forecheck.”

Once he remembers where he is playing, it’s all good. He is just happy to be a regular in the Griffins’ lineup after years of uncertainly – not with which position he is playing but whether he is playing at all.

“I’m at the point where I’m enjoying what I’m doing more than I’ve ever done in my career,” he said. “Even if I’m sitting out games, it beats an office job. I know I’m closer to the end of my

career than I am to the beginning, so you get a perspective on those things. You want to take advantage of all the time you have.”

And that perspective applies to life in general.

He reminisces about the time he went skydiving on a whim in Moab, Utah, after mountain biking in Telluride, Colo. He talks about convincing his wife that it might be a good idea to buy an RV so they can travel the U.S. He dreams of renting a squirrel suit, jumping off a cliff, and gliding to the ground.

While he says he looks forward to the day that he can be a stay-at-home dad, he wonders if his future might lie in becoming a guide. He wonders if he could follow in the footsteps of someone like Steven Rinella, the American outdoorsman and conservationist who built himself into a media personality after growing up in Twin Lake, north of Muskegon.

“What he’s doing is kind of what I would like to do someday,” Witkowski said. “If all the cards fall where they should, maybe I’ll become a guide. It’s intense, from sun up to sundown. That’s why I’m interested in doing something like that. I’ve got to have a passion for what I’m doing.”

Movimiento es vida. Movement is life.

Witkowski will undoubtedly be protective of his daughter. Future suitors of Fenn beware.

50 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

THE ULTIMATE FISHING POLE How do you hold a baby shark? Carefully.

Witkowski shows off a beautiful brown trout.

Luke Witkowski’s Instagram account is filled with images from his many fishing expeditions.

The fun in fishing is in a successful catch.

52 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Witkowski caught his first musky in Lake St. Clair in 2017.

Witkowski poses proudly with a 350-lb. bluefin tuna.

Witkowski caught a real dinosaur when he snagged a 100-pound sturgeon, one of the oldest fish species known to man.

Tarpon got crossed off his bucket list while participating in a story for The Athletic.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 53

Story and photos

by Mark Newman

Dominik Shine is willing to do anything to boost the Griffins’ chances for success.

54 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Hockey doesn’t have utility players like baseball does, but if such a role existed, Dominik Shine would be the embodiment of the allpurpose talent.

He’s the ultimate team player, the can-do chameleon who will happily fill any role. His skill set allows him to be adaptable to anything that is thrown his way, and he is unusually reliable and responsible in the process. What he might lack in pure ability is overshadowed by his versatility and his ability to get the job done.

In other words, Dominik Shine will do whatever it takes.

Nothing illustrates his flexible attitude better than his willingness to play defense when the Griffins found themselves short of blueliners last season. He had played the position briefly a couple of times in junior hockey but the experience was so long ago that it barely counted for anything.

Even so, he jumped at the opportunity.

“It was actually really fun,” Shine said. “The coaches asked me if I could do it and I just said ‘yeah.’ They took a chance and it worked out. I had a really good time.”

A one-game experiment suddenly turned into a several-game stint.

“Honestly, I felt comfortable right away,” he said. “I’ve always been a decent defender, so I felt I could skate with guys and keep up with them. I made sure I was never put into a position where I had to skate backward the whole time. If you watch a lot of the good defensemen, they will often take an angle to cut a guy off so they can stay [skating] forward.”

That is not to say playing defense is the same as playing forward, his natural position.

“It’s a way different game,” he said. “There’s not as much skating as you might think. You would think that there is more skating, but a lot of the hard stuff for defensemen happens inside your blue line. You’re battling with guys in the corners, blocking shots, making sure no shots get through, and doing stuff like that.”

Shine said his temporary shift to defense was eased by his coaches and teammates who were extremely encouraging and supportive.

“They helped my confidence because they were giving me compliments and telling me that I was looking good,” he recalled. “I was feeling good back there, moving around and having fun. It may have helped that the coaches knew I wasn’t a defenseman, so they didn’t have any expectations for me. By the end, I felt a lot more comfortable.”

Shine and Griffins teammate Tyler Spezia (second from right) played youth hockey together.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 55

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The experience paid dividends this season when Shine was asked to play center.

“I think it set me up for success by helping me see the game a whole different way,” he said. “I wasn’t a center my whole life and now I’ve been playing center the whole year. After having played defense last season, I felt so comfortable going to center this year.”

With the coronavirus, call-ups and injuries keeping the Griffins’ roster in a constant state of flux, the coaching staff has continued to be resourceful. But even Shine admits there is a limit to what he is willing to do. “It’s been a crazy couple of years,” he said. “I’ve played left D, right D, left wing, right wing and center. The only place I have not played is goalie. No, thank you!”

Thanks to his resilient nature, Shine quickly adjusted to the responsibilities of a center, which are different from playing either wing.

“As a center, you have to be a little more strategic in terms of how you use your energy in the corners,” he said. “As a winger, I felt like I was just sprinting. That was my game, using my speed all the time. As a center, you’ve got to be a bit more calculated. If something happens in the offensive zone, you’re the one that’s getting all the way back.

You have to think the game a little differently.”

Shine has been finding different ways to contribute ever since he came to Grand Rapids near the end of the 2016-17 season. He joined the Griffins after leading Northern Michigan University in scoring during his senior year, when he tallied 20 goals in 33 games.

Fighting for ice time in the pros required Shine to transform his game.

“At Northern, I was playing 20-25 minutes a game some nights, and when I came to the pros there were some nights where I was only playing five or six,” he said. “In that sense, it was a big transformation. But I’ve always played hard. I’ve always hit and I’ve always tried to do the things that coaches have asked of me.”

Shine joined the Griffins as a solid twoway forward –– a player who was defensively responsible and yet was able to occasionally contribute a goal or two.

“The big thing for my coach at Northern was defense,” he said. “Coming out of juniors, I was just trying to score. That’s the mindset of most young players. They focus on the fun things like scoring. But the things that keep you in the lineup are the little things like playing defense and being hard to play against.”

His role has not changed drastically since he Shine has never been shy about standing up for his teammates.

Before this season’s midpoint, he had already set a personalhigh for penalty minutes as a pro.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 57

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first joined the Griffins, but his perspective has.

“That first year, they wanted me to focus on creating energy, hitting, and maybe some fighting when needed,” he said. “It’s the same things I did in juniors to stay in the lineup. Now that I’m seeing more ice time, I think they’re looking to get a little more out of me.”

The Detroit native has been living up to the billing of his surname this season, scoring a pair of highlight-reel goals in December that ignited the Van Andel Arena partisans. On Dec. 4, Shine undressed a Rockford defenseman on the rush, dancing around him in the slot before slipping the puck inside the right post, then he ended the year with a bang by scoring an unassisted, shorthanded goal on a breakaway against Milwaukee on New Year’s Eve. Like his similarly unheralded teammates Turner Elson and Tyler Spezia, Shine has stepped up to the challenge of another Covid-crossed season. All three are producing points at a career-best pace.

“We’re three guys who work really hard –– we always have,” Shine said. “Sometimes it’s just a matter of ice time and whether things go in or they don’t, but we take pride in being the kind of players who are hard to play against. We do our

best to play the right way.”

Born less than two months apart, Shine and Spezia grew up playing hockey together on the east side of the state. Their mothers are best friends, so the chance to play a lot of minutes on the same line together this season is an opportunity not lost on them.

“Tyler and I have known each other since we were probably eight or nine years old and we were teammates,” he said. “Later, we played against each other in the USHL and then again in college. He went to Bowling Green while I was going to Northern, so our schools played each other about four times a year. And then we met up again here.

“I think we’re doing a good job with the opportunity that we’re being given. It’s been really fun to play a lot together this season. I love playing with him. I hope he feels the same way. It’s easy to play with him because we can talk and be honest with each other. He’s like a brother to me.”

Now in his fifth full season with the Griffins, Shine feels at home here. He got married in Grand Rapids in 2019. He met his wife, Taylor, when he was playing for the USHL team in Lincoln, Neb., a dozen years ago. “We

Shine’s versatility has allowed him to play a variety of roles during his six seasons with the Griffins.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 59

started dating before we went to different colleges,” he said.

His wife attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., and is now a product manager at Stryker in Kalamazoo. “She’s definitely the brains of the family,” he said. “She’s awesome and I’m very proud of her. She’s a big part of my life and she helps keep things in perspective.”

The stability that Shine has found in his life at home echoes the relative security he has enjoyed at the rink. His entire pro career has been spent in Grand Rapids after four years in Lincoln and four years at Northern.

He had originally been recruited to play at Ohio State University but changed his mind after the Buckeyes changed coaches. Unfortunately, he hurt his knee three games later.

“Northern called me right away after I got injured and told me that they still wanted me to come because they had made an offer earlier.

From that moment, I felt a different level of loyalty,” he said. “When someone takes a chance on you, you want to perform for them and you want to win with them.

“That’s how I felt about Grand Rapids when the Griffins signed me. Obviously being a Wings fan growing up, it’s all I ever wanted to do – I

wanted to play for the Red Wings. To be here and to be part of this organization means the world to me. I just want to do my best and I want to win here for as long as I can.”

Shine is confident that the Wings are building something special.

“There are so many nice guys in this organization right now,” he said. “I think the leaders of this team pride themselves on building a good culture in the locker room. If there are players who don’t want to be part of the team or only care about themselves, they find their way out.

“The core guys here really do care. That’s what makes it fun and I think that’s why we’ve had success for so many years – way before I got here.”

Shine feels his play has improved as he has matured. He’s learned there’s much more to the game than scoring goals.

“If I could go back and tell my younger self anything, I would say, ‘just be honest with yourself.’ Sometimes I got frustrated my first year because I went from the guy who was going to score 20 goals to the guy who had a lot to learn.

“I feel like I’ve grown a lot since I’ve been here.

Instead of being frustrated with the situation,

Shine is playing center this season after playing on the wings for most of his career.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 61

I wish I would have been honest with myself and grown a little faster. You have to be honest about your situation and that gets in the way for some guys.

“Obviously, I found a way to stay here. I know it can be hard for a young guy coming in. Everyone was ‘the man’ wherever they came from, and now you’re playing with a bunch of other guys who were the best wherever they played. You have to look at it as your time to grow as a person and to grow as a player.

“In saying that, I’m happy with the way things have worked out.”

Shine feels for young players who are breaking into the league now, especially given how the pandemic has played havoc with the schedule.

“For the young guys especially, it’s been difficult. Last year was the hardest in terms of the travel we were doing,” he said. “It’s easy to get caught up in being negative, saying ‘Covid is getting the best of us’ and things like that. You try to focus on those things you can control, even when it’s hard to stay positive in times like this.

Of course, that’s true for everyone [in society] these days.”

Shine believes the Griffins are showing signs of finally coming together as a team.

Shine joined the Griffins as a free agent out of Northern Michigan University, where he led his team in scoring during his senior year.

62 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

“The pandemic added a whole different element,” he said. “Before, it was a matter of trying to figure out how we could become a team. Now it’s a matter of figuring out who’s on the team and let’s figure out what we’re doing. It’s still fun, but it adds a whole different level.

“It’s got to be hard on the coaches and management, too. Just figuring out who’s available to play each game, especially when you’re faced with a crazy schedule. Hopefully, at some point, this whole Covid thing will settle down and we can get our team back together and make a push for playoffs.”

Coming into the New Year, the Griffins were facing a slate of 17 games in 37 games. “I’m excited about it,” Shine said. “We just need to get healthy and get all of our guys back. I can count on one hand how many times I was on a line with the same guys. We’re playing all over the place.

Guys are going up to the Wings, guys are out sick. If we can stay healthy and start to get rolling, I think we’ll have a good second half.

“For all the guys, it’s a big opportunity. I think we can take advantage of the opportunity and do a good job. This is a good team. The right pieces are here.”

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RECORDBOOK ANDLEADERS Through games of Jan. 13, 2022

GAMES PLAYED Travis Richards Brian Lashoff (2nd) 5 players tied Riley Barber, Joe Hicketts GOALS Michel Picard Turner Elson (T25th) Donald MacLean (2005-06) Riley Barber ASSISTS Michel Picard Brian Lashoff (17th) Jiri Hudler (2005-06) Taro Hirose

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

655 534 *82 32

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21

158 50 *56 20

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21

222 85 60 23

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21

POINTS Michel Picard Turner Elson (30th) Michel Picard (1996-97) Riley Barber PLUS/MINUS Travis Richards Turner Elson (13th) Ivan Ciernik (2000-01) Turner Elson PENALTY MINUTES Darryl Bootland Brian Lashoff (20th) Darryl Bootland (2005-06) Dylan McIlrath

380 117 101 34 +131 +46 *+41 +6 1,164 281 390 70

* = Led League

Michel Picard

Calvin Pickard

Darryl Bootland

Turner Elson

Brian Lashoff

Joey MacDonald

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

GOALIE GAMES PLAYED Tom McCollum Calvin Pickard (12th) Joey MacDonald (2004-05) Kevin Boyle, Pat Nagle GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE Martin Prusek Calvin Pickard (16th) Martin Prusek (2001-02) Pat Nagle WINS Tom McCollum Calvin Pickard (11th) Joey MacDonald (2004-05) Mike Fountain (2000-01) Kevin Boyle

263 60 *66 12

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21

1.83 2.69 *1.82 2.78

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21

122 30

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2020-21

34 *34 7

* = Led League

SHUTOUTS Joey MacDonald Calvin Pickard (T10th) 6 players tied Kaden Fulcher SAVES Tom McCollum Calvin Pickard (12th) Joey MacDonald (2004-05) Pat Nagle SAVE PERCENTAGE Martin Prusek Calvin Pickard (11th) Joey MacDonald (2003-04) Pat Nagle

20 4 6 1 6,640 1,675 1,785 256 0.930 0.913 0.936 0.892

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 65

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GRIFFINS IN THE ALL-STAR GAME 2020

Matthew Ford

2 019

2 018

Chris Terry

2 016

Chris Terry

2020

Matt Puempel

2 018

Matt Lorito

2 015

2 014

Jeff Hoggan and Xavier Ouellet

Teemu Pulkkinen

Alexey Marchenko

2 013

2 013

2 013

Chad Billins

Petr Mrazek

2019-20

Matthew Ford, Chris Terry

2005-06

2018-19

Chris Terry

2004-05

Niklas Kronwall, Joey MacDonald

2017-18

Matt Lorito, Matt Puempel

2003-04

2016-17

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

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

2002-03

Marc Lamothe, Mark Mowers

2015-16

Jeff Hoggan (captain), Xavier Ouellet

2014-15

Xavier Ouellet, Teemu Pulkkinen

2013-14

Alexey Marchenko, Jeff Blashill (co-coach)

2012-13

Chad Billins, Petr Mrazek, Gustav Nyquist

2011-12

Gustav Nyquist

2010-11

Ilari Filppula, Brendan Smith

1999-00

2009-10

Patrick Rissmiller

1998-99

Robert Petrovicky, Maxim Spiridonov

2008-09

Jakub Kindl, Daniel Larsson

1997-98

Ian Gordon, Kerry Huffman, Michel Picard

2007-08

Jonathan Ericsson, Jimmy Howard

1996-97

Jeff Nelson, Michel Picard, Pokey Reddick

2006-07

Derek Meech, Kip Miller (captain)

68 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

2001-02

2000-01

Valtteri Filppula, Jiri Hudler, Donald MacLean

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

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72 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

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

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

MISCONDUCT 10-minute or disqualification penalty for excessive or additional misbehavior on the ice.

TRIPPING Called for using the stick, arm or leg to cause an opponent to trip or fall.

CHARGING Taking a run at an opposing player using more than three strides to build up speed.

HOLDING Clutching an opposing player’s body with the hands, arms or legs.

ROUGHING Called for engaging in fisticuffs or shoving.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT Called for unsportsmanlike actions such as disputing an official’s decision, grabbing the face mask of a player, etc.

CROSS CHECKING A check or block delivered by a player with both hands on the stick and no part of the stick on the ice.

HOOKING The use of the stick or blade to impede the progress of an opponent.

SLASHING Striking an opposing player with the stick.

DELAYED PENALTY Referee extends his arm and points to the penalized player until the penalized team regains possession of the puck.

INTERFERENCE When a player impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck.

SPEARING Called for using the stick like a spear.

ELBOWING Called when a player uses an elbow to impede an opponent.

KNEEING Called when a player uses a knee to impede an opponent.

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

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 73

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

74 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Griffins in the NHL Since their inception in 1996, the Griffins have sent 188 players to the National Hockey League, 17 of whom have gone on to win the Stanley Cup. In fact, a Griffins alumnus has had his name engraved on Lord Stanley’s chalice in eight of the last 14 years and in 10 of the last 17 seasons. In chronological order, here are the 23 goalies and 165 skaters who have worn an NHL sweater after playing for Grand Rapids, along with the dates of their NHL debuts/returns.

76 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

IT ALL

STARTS

HERE

1............Pavol Demitra............................3/17/97 STL at PHX 2............Kevyn Adams...........................10/1/97 TOR vs. WSH 3............Tyler Moss................................10/28/97 CGY vs. PIT 4............Michel Picard..................................1/6/98 STL at SJ 5............Jeff Nelson.............................10/10/98 NSH vs. FLA 6............Patrick Traverse.......................10/10/98 OTT at COL 7............Mark Greig...................................1/7/99 PHI vs. NYI 8............Radim Bicanek............................2/1/99 OTT at VAN 9............Robert Petrovicky........................2/15/99 TB at NYI 10..........Andrei Vasilyev...........................3/5/99 PHX vs. DET 11..........Todd Hlushko...............................4/25/99 PIT vs. NJ 12..........Patrick Lalime............................10/2/99 OTT at PHI 13..........Glen Metropolit......................10/2/99 WSH at FLA 14..........Kevin Miller.............................10/31/99 OTT at ATL 15..........Karel Rachunek.......................10/31/99 OTT at ATL 16..........Erich Goldmann....................11/11/99 OTT vs. NSH 17..........Yves Sarault...............................11/20/99 OTT at NJ 18..........John Gruden...........................11/30/99 OTT vs. CHI 19..........Mike Fountain..............................12/3/99 OTT at NJ 20..........Dave Van Drunen....................12/13/99 OTT at TOR 21..........Petr Schastlivy..............................1/3/00 OTT vs. NJ 22..........John Emmons............................1/6/00 OTT vs. PHX 23..........Slava Butsayev..........................1/28/00 OTT at BUF 24..........Aris Brimanis.............................2/13/00 NYI at NYR 25..........Dieter Kochan............................3/28/00 TB vs. DAL 26..........Jani Hurme....................................4/9/00 OTT vs. TB 27..........Shane Hnidy.............................10/5/00 OTT at BOS 28..........Donald MacLean...................10/14/00 TOR vs. OTT 29..........David Oliver...............................11/4/00 OTT vs. CBJ 30..........Jamie Rivers............................11/12/00 OTT at CAR 31..........Sean Gagnon.........................11/26/00 OTT at NYR 32..........Joel Bouchard........................11/29/00 PHX at COL 33..........Mike Crowley..........................12/8/00 ANA at MIN 34..........Ivan Ciernik.................................1/23/01 OTT at NYI 35..........Darren Rumble..............................2/6/01 STL at COL 36..........Joel Kwiatkowski......................2/19/01 OTT at BUF 37..........Todd White................................2/19/01 OTT at BUF 38..........Chris Neil....................................10/3/01 OTT at TOR 39..........Toni Dahlman..........................1/3/02 OTT vs. WSH 40..........Steve Martins............................1/11/02 OTT at FLA 41..........Kip Miller.......................................1/17/02 NYI at SJ 42..........Jody Hull.........................................2/4/02 OTT at TB 43..........Dmitry Afanasenkov.......................2/6/02 TB at FLA 44..........Simon Lajeunesse..........................3/7/02 OTT at SJ 45..........Martin Prusek...........................3/23/02 OTT vs. ATL 46..........Chris Bala....................................3/27/02 OTT at NYI 47..........Neil Little...................................3/28/02 PHI at CAR 48..........Josh Langfeld..............................3/30/02 OTT vs. TB 49..........Gaetan Royer...............................4/1/02 TB vs. NYR 50.........Jason Spezza...................10/24/02 OTT at BOS 51..........Sean Avery................................10/29/02 DET vs. SJ 52..........Jason Doig.................................12/3/02 WSH at PIT 53..........Jason Williams.........................12/5/02 DET at PHX 54..........Patrick Boileau......................12/19/02 DET vs. DAL 55..........Stacy Roest...............................2/20/03 DET vs. EDM

56..........Wade Brookbank..................10/9/03 NSH vs. ANA 57..........Julien Vauclair........................10/25/03 OTT at MTL 58........ Jiri Hudler............................10/29/03 DET vs. STL 59..........Curtis Joseph..........................10/30/03 DET at NSH 60..........Darryl Bootland......................11/8/03 DET vs. NSH 61..........Mark Mowers........................11/19/03 DET vs. CBJ 62..........Nathan Robinson..................11/28/03 DET vs. NYI 63..........Blake Sloan.................................12/4/03 DAL at LA 64........ Niklas Kronwall...................12/10/03 DET at BUF 65..........Ryan Barnes...........................12/15/03 DET vs. FLA 66........ Chris Kelly............................... 2/5/04 OTT vs. TOR 67..........Marc Lamothe.........................2/23/04 DET at EDM 68..........Anders Myrvold........................2/26/04 DET at CGY 69..........Mathieu Chouinard...................2/29/04 LA at ANA 70..........Brett Lebda..................................10/5/05 DET vs. STL 71..........Mark Eaton..................................10/5/05 NSH vs. SJ 72..........Chris Osgood.............................10/29/05 DET at CHI 73..........Kyle Quincey..........................11/25/05 DET at ANA 74..........Jimmy Howard.........................11/28/05 DET at LA 75..........Valtteri Filppula.........................12/15/05 DET at FLA 76..........Rob Collins..............................12/17/05 NYI vs. COL 77..........Manny Legace............................1/5/06 DET vs. STL 78..........David Gove...............................1/31/06 CAR at MTL 79..........Tomas Kopecky..............................2/28/06 DET at SJ 80..........Alexandre Giroux........................3/25/06 NYR at TB 81..........Joey MacDonald........................10/19/06 DET at SJ 82..........Derek Meech...............................12/7/06 DET vs. STL 83..........Matt Ellis...................................12/18/06 DET at CBJ 84..........Matt Hussey...............................1/26/07 DET at STL 85..........Sheldon Brookbank.......................2/6/07 NSH at PIT 86..........Danny Syvret..........................2/27/07 EDM vs. PHX 87..........Mark Hartigan.........................11/29/07 DET vs. TB 88..........Drew MacIntyre........................12/13/07 VAN at SJ 89..........Peter Vandermeer..................2/10/08 PHX vs. NSH 90..........Jonathan Ericsson.....................2/22/08 DET at CGY 91..........Garrett Stafford.........................2/23/08 DET at VAN 92.........Darren Helm.......................3/13/08 DET vs. DAL 93..........Mattias Ritola..........................3/15/08 DET vs. NSH 94..........Clay Wilson................................3/25/08 CBJ at NSH 95..........Darren McCarty..........................3/28/08 DET vs. STL 96..........Krys Kolanos.................................11/4/08 MIN at SJ 97..........Landon Wilson.....................11/22/08 DAL vs. ANA 98..........Bryan Helmer.....................11/28/08 WSH vs. MTL 99..........Chris Chelios ..........................12/13/08 DET at PHX 100........Aaron Downey.........................1/29/09 DET vs. DAL 101........Justin Abdelkader..................1/31/09 DET at WSH 102........Ville Leino................................1/31/09 DET at WSH 103........Aaron Gagnon......................10/16/09 DAL vs. BOS 104........Scott Parse................................10/24/09 LA at PHX 105........Doug Janik...............................11/3/09 DET vs. BOS 106.........Ryan Keller................................11/25/09 OTT at NJ 107........Jakub Kindl.............................12/3/09 DET vs. EDM 108........Kris Newbury........................12/14/09 DET vs. PHX 109.........Darren Haydar...........................2/10/10 COL vs. ATL 110........Andreas Lilja................................3/1/10 DET at COL 111.........Jeremy Williams......................10/24/10 NYR vs. NJ 112........Jan Mursak..............................12/27/10 DET at COL 113........Chris Mueller.........................12/28/10 NSH vs. DAL 114........Tomas Tatar......................12/31/10 DET vs. NYI 115........Cory Emmerton........................1/22/11 DET vs. CHI 116.........Patrick Rissmiller......................2/23/11 ATL at BUF 117 .......Tom McCollum .........................3/30/11 DET vs. STL 118 ......Gustav Nyquist ...............11/1/11 DET vs. MIN 119 ........Fabian Brunnstrom....................11/5/11 DET vs. ANA 120.......Brendan Smith..................11/17/11 DET at SJ 121......Mark Cullen.................11/29/11 FLA at CAR 122........Chris Conner..............................12/2/11 DET at BUF 123........Joakim Andersson.................12/27/11 DET vs. STL 124.......Ty Conklin ..........................3/21/12 DET at NYR 125.......Riley Sheahan......................4/7/12 DET vs. CHI 126........Brian Lashoff..............................1/21/13 DET at CBJ 127........Mike Knuble...............................1/26/13 PHI at FLA

128........Jamie Tardif.................................2/2/13 BOS at TOR 129........Petr Mrazek ...........................2/7/13 DET at STL 130........ Jonas Gustavsson...................2/19/13 DET at NSH 131........Carlo Colaiacovo.........................4/1/13 DET vs. COL 132.......Danny DeKeyser..............10/2/13 DET vs. BUF 133.......Luke Glendening...........10/12/13 DET vs. PHI 134........Xavier Ouellet............................10/21/13 DET vs. SJ 135........Adam Almquist .....................11/4/13 DET at WPG 136........Chad Billins...............................11/5/13 CGY at MIN 137........Patrick Eaves............................12/14/13 DET vs. PIT 138........Tomas Jurco..............................12/15/13 DET vs. TB 139........Jordin Tootoo..........................12/19/13 DET vs. CGY 140........Alexey Marchenko......................1/4/14 DET at DAL 141........Teemu Pulkkinen ..................3/14/14 DET vs. EDM 142........Landon Ferraro........................3/18/14 DET vs. TOR 143.......Calle Jarnkrok....................3/21/14 NSH at CGY 144........Mitch Callahan...........................3/25/14 DET at CBJ 145........Ryan Sproul................................4/13/14 DET at STL 146........Andrej Nestrasil.......................10/9/14 DET vs. BOS 147........Stephen Weiss.......................11/24/14 DET vs. OTT 148.....Mattias Janmark............10/8/15 DAL vs. PIT 149.......Dylan Larkin.....................10/9/15 DET vs. TOR 150...... Kevin Porter...........................10/10/15 PIT at ARI 151.......Andreas Athanasiou......11/8/15 DET vs. DAL 152.....Tomas Nosek...............12/26/15 DET at NSH 153........Eric Tangradi...............................1/25/16 DET at NYI 154.......Anthony Mantha..............3/15/16 DET at PHI 155........Alan Quine...................................4/9/16 NYI vs. PHI 156.....Martin Frk.................. 10/18/16 CAR at EDM 157.....Tyler Bertuzzi.................11/8/16 DET at PHI 158........Jared Coreau...............................12/3/16 DET at PIT 159.......Nick Jensen........................12/20/16 DET at TB 160........Drew Miller...............................2/28/17 DET at VAN 161........Robbie Russo..............................3/7/17 DET at TOR 162.....Dan Renouf.................. 3/27/17 DET at CAR 163........Ben Street..................................3/28/17 DET at CAR 164.....Evgeny Svechnikov.........4/3/17 DET vs. OTT 165........Matt Lorito.................................4/8/17 DET vs. MTL 166.....Kyle Criscuolo.............. 11/17/17 BUF at DET 167........Dominic Turgeon.......................1/14/18 DET at CHI 168........Joe Hicketts..................................1/22/18 DET at NJ 169.....Dennis Cholowski..........10/4/18 DET vs. CBJ 170........Libor Sulak................................10/4/18 DET vs. CBJ 171.....Filip Hronek...................10/4/18 DET vs. CBJ 172........Wade Megan..............................11/1/18 DET vs. NJ 173........Christoffer Ehn........................11/6/18 DET vs. VAN 174........Eddie Pasquale............................12/4/18 TB at DET 175.....Michael Rasmussen........2/7/19 DET vs. VGK 176.....Filip Zadina......................2/24/19 DET vs. SJ 177........Matt Puempel..........................3/23/19 DET at VGK 178........Dylan McIlrath.............................3/25/19 DET at SJ 179........Jake Chelios.................................3/29/19 DET vs. NJ 180.....Givani Smith.............. 10/25/19 DET vs. BUF 181........Calvin Pickard..........................11/29/19 DET at PHI 182.....Madison Bowey.......... 12/14/19 DET at MTL 183.....Taro Hirose...................... 2/6/20 DET at BUF 184.....Gustav Lindstrom........... 2/6/20 DET at BUF 185.....Joe Veleno..................... 4/27/21 DET at CBJ 186........Mathias Brome............................5/7/21 DET at CBJ 187.....Moritz Seider................10/14/21 DET vs. TB 188.....Riley Barber..................12/18/21 DET vs. NJ Bold = Has played in the NHL this season (as of Jan. 17, 2022) Italics = Had name engraved on the Stanley Cup after playing for Grand Rapids All photos by Getty Images Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 77

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78 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

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LAUNCHING PADS We all start somewhere, and every AHL player first honed his skills with a college or junior team before turning pro. Can you match the amateur team of each member of the 2021-22 Griffins with its nickname? Beware, as some of the nicknames are used by more than one team. Good luck!

(Note: Jonatan Berggren’s and Victor Brattstrom’s former teams in Sweden’s J20 SuperElit league do not have nicknames, so they are not included.)

AMATEUR TEAMS

NICKNAMES

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

1. BOSTON U. (HOCKEY EAST) - PATRICK CURRY 2. BOWLING GREEN (WCHA) - TYLER SPEZIA 3. CLARKSON (ECAC) - JOSH DICKINSON 4. CONNECTICUT (HOCKEY EAST) - WYATT NEWPOWER 5. DENVER (NCHC) - BLAKE HILLMAN 6. DRUMMONDVILLE (QMJHL) - JOE VELENO 7. HAMILTON (OHL) - KADEN FULCHER 8. HARVARD (ECAC) - KYLE CRISCUOLO 9. KINGSTON (OHL) - BRIAN LASHOFF 10. KITCHENER (OHL) - RYAN MURPHY, DONOVAN SEBRANGO 11. LAKE SUPERIOR STATE (WCHA) - MAX HUMITZ 12. MAINE (HOCKEY EAST) - CHASE PEARSON, DAN RENOUF 13. MIAMI (NCHC) - RILEY BARBER 14. MICHIGAN STATE (BIG TEN) - JUSTIN ABDELKADER, MATT BERRY, TARO HIROSE 15. MONCTON (QMJHL) - JARED MCISAAC 16. NEW BRUNSWICK (USPORTS) - RANDY GAZZOLA 17. NORTHERN MICHIGAN (WCHA) - DOMINIK SHINE 18. OHIO STATE (BIG TEN) - GORDI MYER 19. OWEN SOUND (OHL) - ERIK BRADFORD, BRETT MCKENZIE

ATTACK AVTO BLACK BEARS BRONCOS BUCKEYES BULLDOGS CATARACTES CRIMSON FALCONS FRONTENACS GOLDEN KNIGHTS GREYHOUNDS HUSKIES LAKERS PIONEERS RANGERS REBELS REDHAWKS REDS RIVER HAWKS SPARTANS SPIRIT TERRIERS THUNDERBIRDS VOLTIGEURS WILDCATS

20. RED DEER (WHL) - TURNER ELSON 21. SAGINAW (OHL) - D.J. KING 22. SEATTLE (WHL) - CALVIN PICKARD 23. SHAWINIGAN (QMJHL) - DENNIS YAN 24. SOO (OHL) - HAYDEN VERBEEK 25. SWIFT CURRENT (WHL) - JON MARTIN 26. UMASS LOWELL (HOCKEY EAST) - SETH BARTON W I K M O Y

7. F 8. H 9. J 10. P 11. N 12. C

13. R 14. U 15. Z 16. S 17. Z 18. E

19. A 20. Q 21. V 22. X 23. G 24. L

ANSWERS

28. YEKATERINBURG (MHL) - KIRILL TYUTYAYEV

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

27. WESTERN MICHIGAN (CCHA) - LUKE WITKOWSKI

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 79

25. D 26. T 27. D 28. B

PARTING SHOT

CALLING ALL HEROES: Erik Bradford (left) and Matt Berry (right) celebrate the game-winning goal by Josh Dickinson (center) during the lineup-depleted Griffins’ 3-1 victory over Iowa on Jan. 7, 2022. All three players started the current season in the ECHL (Dickinson and Berry with the Toledo Walleye; Bradford with the Kalamazoo Wings).

Photo by Mark Newman 80 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

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