2019-20 Griffiti - Issue #2

2019-20 SEASON ISSUE NO. 2

SWEET SEIDER Seider Defenseman

Moritz

O F F I C I A L

M A G A Z I N E

O F

T H E

G R A N D

R A P I D S

G R I F F I N S

We’re big fans of the Griffins.

We’re also fans of their fans.

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

Member FDIC. ⬢®, Huntington® and ⬢ Huntington. Welcome.® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. ©2019 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.

e o

Vol. 24, No. 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS STARTING LINEUP 26 DAPPER DEFENSEMAN First-round draft pick Moritz Seider is making an impression during his first season in North America.

26

34 TAKIN’ CARE OF BUSINESS Joe Veleno is working overtime to improve his game and develop himself into an NHL player.

42 TRUE GRIT With an indomitable spirit, Joe Hicketts continues to show the spunk that stamps him as a dependable defenseman.

50 NO BARRIERS A pair of January events will highlight the opportunities for people with disabilities to play the game of hockey.

52 SPRINGBOARD TO ‘THE SHOW’ Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill looks back on his years in the AHL as invaluable time spent honing his craft.

56 FATHER KNOWS BEST As a Griffins assistant coach, Todd Krygier draws on his experience as a former player – and dedicated dad – to provide encouragement and support to the Red Wings’ prospects.

34

ON THE BENCH 40.....Meet the Griffi 63.....Griffins ecords 68.....Griffins ll-Stars 73.....Penalty Calls 74.....Arena Map/Ticket Info 76.....It All Starts Here 79.....Kids Page 80.....Parting Shot

2........Chalk Talk 4........Scouting Report 9........Griffins chedule 12.....AHL Tradition 15.....AHL Team Directory 19.....Detroit Red Wings 20.....Promotional Calendar 24.....Bill LeRoy Tribute

42 COVER: Defenseman Moritz Seider is only the third German-born player to don a Griffins jersey.

Photo by Mark Newman

Griffiti magazine is published four times a year by the Grand Rapids Griffins, Van Andel Ar Arena, 130 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All contents ©2019 Grand Rapids Griffin For advertising information, contact Griffins Sales & Marketing, (616) 774-458 fax (616) 336-5464. Unsolicited manuscripts and other materials will not be returned.

56

Prospects may become NHL players in time.

There are no guarantees, of course, but the goal of every organization is to do everything possible so that the journey more often ends in success than in disappointment.

The path is different for every player, just as the timetable is never the same. Some players can figure out the way to excel in short order, while others can take two or three seasons before they are ready to move up.

Griffins head coach Ben Simon said the process can be complicated.

“Each player faces their own struggles and own little challenges,” he said. “As coaches, our job is to find out what those challenges are for each player and work with each player to ease their struggles and turn any deficiencies into strengths.”

Simon said there is no shortage of reasons why players find some hurdles higher than others.

“Some players may have been able to simply rely on being better athletes at their previous level and now they’re in a league where almost everyone is just as good,” he said. “Some guys were goal scorers in junior hockey and now they find it’s not as easy to score against 25- to 30-year-old men as it was against 18- or 19-year-olds. Some scored 20 goals in college and that fact doesn’t always correlate here.

“Sometimes it’s harder for guys to defend.

Even third- or fourth-line guys can be pretty solid offensively, so they can be more difficult to play against. It may be that it’s harder to find open ice.

European players are going from a larger surface to a smaller one. There are lots of little idiosyncrasies that can take time to overcome. It may take five games, 10 games or even half a year.

“There are other issues to consider, too. Whether they’re coming from junior hockey, European leagues or college, they have to learn time management away from the rink, which can have a direct link to their job. That’s a big thing – this is now a job for them. It’s a fun job, but there’s work to be done.”

2 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Photo: Sam Iannamico

About half of the Griffins’ roster this season is comprised of first- or second-year players. So much youth requires patience, but it’s a situation that also provides a unique opportunity for an organization in a rebuild.

“It’s fun because these kids are hungry,” Simon said. “Some younger players think they have to do something on every shift. They think they have to score a goal or make a pretty play, but as they go, they learn that they’re not going to get on the score sheet every shift. So if you’re a goal scorer and you’re not scoring goals, find a way to defend or find a way to get the puck back.”

Playing in a tough league like the AHL will test the mettle of any young player.

“The AHL is a difficult league to play in,” he said. “If you underestimate the league, it’s going to be an uphill climb. You’re going to take your lumps and take your licks. Players have to figure it out and put in the time necessary.”

A lot of mixing and matching is done as a team attempts to assemble the pieces to the puzzle.

Through teaching, video, on-ice repetition, and game situations, players eventually find their roles – or at least that’s the hope.

“You try to find chemistry and that’s an everevolving puzzle,” Simon said. “You think you’ve got the right combinations and right pairings and then all of a sudden one of them is called up.

“You try to find roles for your players but you also don’t want to pigeonhole them. You want to put your players in the best situation possible, but sometimes it’s helpful to put them into situations that are new to them so that they can grow and gain experience that will be valuable to their careers.”

Pushing prospects will inevitably lead to them making mistakes. That, Simon said, is part of the development process.

“Guys are going to make mistakes,” he said.

“The whole game is predicated on mistakes, so the quicker they learn from their mistakes, the better the team will be, the better their

In Me mo ri

WITH GRIFFINS HEAD COACH BEN SIMON

future will be. We have to show players that they still have our confidence and that we’re not going to sit them after every mistake. You give them other opportunities so they can learn from their mistakes. But you try to hold them accountable, too.”

Simon said correcting mistakes requires different approaches for different players. One might need encouragement, another might require tough love. The choice of medicine and the dose is never the same.

“The approach varies from player to player because every personality is different,” he said.

“As coaches, it’s our job to get to know these kids, where they came from, how they were raised, and how they react to different situations. You have to learn a little bit about their past to lead them to their future.

“Some guys can use tough love. With other guys, yelling is not going to work. So the development process is two-sided. Not only do prospects have to go through an adjustment period, but coaches have to figure out how to best approach each player.

“At the end of the day, you have to hold all of your players to a certain level of accountability and make sure they’re doing the right thing.”

Veterans can act as guideposts for the good of prospects.

“The players who have been around longer – guys who have been here three, four or five years – they have to be the standard in terms of work ethic, their level of compete, their attention to detail,” he said. “Veterans have to bring it every day to show the kids what’s required day in and day out.

“There are many things that older guys can impart regarding their experiences and wisdom.

We have a lot of players who have enjoyed success,

both individually and as part of teams, so we lean heavily on them to help these young kids. They can act almost as surrogate coaches.”

Fans often wonder why veterans are sometimes recalled when promising prospects are available in Grand Rapids. Often, it’s better for young players to play more minutes with the Griffins than to play limited minutes in the NHL. “It’s important to make sure that our first- and second-year players aren’t losing their confidence,” he said. “As coaches, we need to create a positive environment here, whether we’re winning or losing games. We want an environment where the kids want to come to work hard and compete on a daily basis.

“If a first- or second-year guy gets called up and plays a couple of minutes, only to get sent back down the next day, it can be crushing. It’s all in the perception and how you hang the picture, but the Red Wings organization believes that it’s imperative that their prospects play important minutes so if and when they’re called up, they’re able to play significant minutes in Detroit.”

Simon said it’s a testament to the organization every time a prospect like Anthony Mantha or Filip Hronek graduates for good.

“Anyone can be good one night,” Simon said.

“Consistency is key. The things you do day after day become habits and those habits then become who you are as a player. The mindset starts with what you’re doing in practice every day.

“You have to remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint. For better or worse, our job is to make sure that our guys are committed to their careers. We’re helping them achieve their dream, so they keep soldiering on.”

2019-20 GRIFFINS HOCKEY OPERATIONS STAFF

General Manager

Head Coach

Assistant Coach

Ben Simon

Matt Macdonald

Athletic Trainer

Assistant Athletic Trainer

Assistant Coach

Assistant Coach

Goaltending Coach

Todd Krygier

Mike Knuble

Brian Mahoney-Wilson

Equipment Manager

Assistant Equipment Manager

Strength-Conditioning Coordinator

19 63 -20 19

In Me mo ria m

Ryan Martin

Video Coach

Bill LeRoy

Josh Chapman

Anthony Polazzo

Brad Thompson

Charlie Kaser

Marcus Kinney

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 3

SCOUTING

REPORT

MANITOBA

NOV. 29, JAN. 10, JAN. 11 In the first meeting of the season on ct. 25 at Van Andel Arena, Matt Puempel recorded his first AHL h t trick in his 301st AHL appearance. By comparison, Puempel logged his first NHL h t trick as a member of the New York Rangers on Dec. 29, 2016 at Arizona, in what was only his 64th NHL appearance.

Through the first th ee meetings of the season, Chris Terry paces the Griffins with ei t points (3-5—8). That’s not even the most points in the season series as Manitoba’s Jansen Harkins is averaging three points per game against Grand Rapids, showing nine points (27—9) in three appearances.

Dylan McIlrath was born in Winnipeg and Calvin Pickard moved there early in his childhood.

The two played spring hockey together in Winnipeg from 2000-05, and they both return to Winnipeg in the offseason and have remained great friends throughout their lives. They also count Moose captain Peter Stoykewych among their circle of close friends.

CHICAGO

DEC. 4, DEC. 31 Calvin Pickard and Chicago netminder Garret Sparks were teammates with the Toronto Marlies in 2017-18. The duo helped Toronto capture the Calder Cup after winning the regular season’s Harry Holmes Memorial Award, which is awarded to the AHL’s goaltending tandem with the lowest goals against average (2.24).

In the season opener for both teams on Oct. 5, Grand Rapids tied a franchise record for most goals in a season opener (Oct. 4, 2013 at Rochester) by potting eight in a three-goal victory at Allstate Arena.

Second-year head coach Ben Simon and Wolves’ third-year bench boss Rocky Thompson are both members of Todd Nelson’s coaching tree. Simon was an assistant under Nelson in Grand Rapids from 2015-18 and won the 2017 Calder Cup. Thompson served as an assistant on Nelson’s staff i Oklahoma City from 2010-14.

4 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

G

T

ROCKFORD

DEC. 6, JAN. 15, JAN. 17 Filip Larsson became the fi th Griffins ookie goalie in the team’s AHL era (since 2001-02) to pick up the win in his debut thanks to his 24-save performance on Oct. 12 at Rockford, joining Petr Mrazek (Nov. 3, 2012 at Texas), Tom McCollum (Oct. 3, 2009 at Peoria), Jimmy Howard (Oct. 28, 2005 vs. Iowa) and Simon Lajeunesse (Dec. 12, 2001 at Utah).

Rockford is in its 13th season in the AHL and all have been in affil tion with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Both head coaches, Ben Simon (2006-07) and Derek King (1999-01; 2002-04), are former Griffi . The duo were assistant coaches with the Toronto Marlies during the 2014-15 season, a year that ended with Toronto surrendering a 2-0 series lead to the Griffins in the be -of-fi e Western Conference Quarterfinal .

MILWAUKEE DEC. 27

After Milwaukee spoiled Grand Rapids’ 24th consecutive homeopening sellout on Oct. 11, the Griffins en ted a level of revenge by shutting out the Admirals on Oct. 23. Calvin Pickard notched his 13th career AHL clean sheet and first as a G iffin behind 26 ves.

The Griffins ve faced the Admirals more than any other opponent in team history (186 times entering Nov. 22 matchup), and Grand Rapids is closing in on making Milwaukee the first oe the team has amassed 100 regular season victories against (99-65-7-7-8 record entering Nov. 22).

Calvin Pickard’s older brother, Chet, appeared in 43 games with Milwaukee from 2009-11 and registered 15 wins to go along with a 2.86 GAA, a 0.893 save percentage and one shutout.

Chet and Moritz Seider both played with Mannheim of Germany’s Deutsche Eishockey Liga from 2017-19.

BELLEVILLE JAN. 18

In the inaugural matchups between the teams last season, Grand Rapids finished 2-1-0-1. mong returning players, Matt Puempel (2-2—4), Matt Ford (1-3—4) and Vili Saarijarvi (1-3—4) led the Griffins in oring in the series.

Grand Rapids makes its lone trip to Belleville on March 20, sandwiched between March 19 and March 22 visits to Toronto.

During their first two seasons in the AHL, the Senators posted a 66-73-5-8 record and missed the playoffs both years while also seeing more than 30 players suit up for the parent club in Ottawa.

Belleville is in its third season as the primary affil te of the Ottawa Senators. The Griffins sp t three seasons (1999-2002) as Ottawa’s affil te, including their last two as members of the IHL (1999-2001) and their first in the AHL (2001-02) Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 5

kids

foste

r kent

b e the missing pie ce

OVER 800

CHILDREN ARE

IN FOSTER CARE IN KENT COUNTY. You could be the missing piece. www.fosterkentkids.care Sponsored by

6

m 61

me

Power OR play playdate? date?

Power play play OR

Youwere were made to You to move. move.

Athletesaren’t aren’tthe theonly onlyones ones who who need better.

Athletes needto tomove moveand andfeel feel better.

At Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, our team can help At Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, our team can help you overcome an injury, joint pain or whatever it is that’s holding you you overcome an injury, joint pain or whatever it is that’s holding you back. If you’re ready to move like yourself again, we’re here to help. back. If you’re ready to move like yourself again, we’re here to help.

• Evaluation and treatment

• Evaluation and related treatment of movement injuries of movement related injuries

• Expedited access to physicians

• Expedited access to physicians and surgical consultations and surgical consultations • Physical therapy • Physical • Sports therapy physicals • Sports physicals • Concussion evaluations • Concussion evaluations

• Digital X-ray and MRI

• Digital X-ray and MRI

• Diagnostic ultrasound

• Diagnostic ultrasound

• Sports cardiology

• Sports cardiology

• Application and removal of casts

Application •• Gait analysis and removal of casts Gait analysis •• Tenex Health TX for chronic pain TX for chronic • tendon Tenex Health

616.252.7778

metrohealth.net/sportsmedicine 616.252.7778

metrohealth.net/sportsmedicine

tendon pain

KEEPING MOVING MOVING KEEPING WITH THE THE WAVE WITH WAVE Say hello to an easier, faster, and Say hello to an easier, faster, andfare. more convenient way to pay your more convenient way to pay your fare.

RIDETHERAPID.ORG

RIDETHERAPID.ORG

Dear Griffins Fans, Has there ever been a better time to live in West Michigan and be a Griffins fan?

The energy around Grand Rapids is as exciting and palpable as it’s been since the revitalization of downtown was sparked by the development of Van Andel Arena and the birth of the Griffins in the mid-‘90s. Everywhere you look it seems there is a construction crane in the sky, and the arena continues to be in the center of the action as we welcome the opening of the Studio Park complex this fall and the debuts of two new hotels within a block of the arena.

DAN DEVOS LETTER FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

That spirit of renewal extends to the inside of Van Andel Arena, where a collaboration between SMG, the Griffins and the Detroit Red Wings spawned a $2.3 million renovation of the Griffins’ locker room and weight room, The Zone team store, visiting locker room and other areas. As our players continue their hopeful development into AHL champions and NHL stars, they’ll do so in firstfi stclass facilities that provide every resource they need for the tasks ahead.

Detroit’s ongoing youth movement could result in as many as six recent firstfi stround Red Wings draft icks suiting up for the Griffins at some point this season, offering an amazing opportunity for our fanbase and an incredible stat that calls for a little perspective. While the success of the organizational pipeline has been impressive – each Red Wings draft rom 2006 to 2016 produced at least one player who later helped the Griffins win a Calder Cup – a total of only seven Detroit fi st-rounders suited up for us during the fi st 13 seasons of our affiliation (200215). The level of top-tier talent showcased at Van Andel Arena this season could be unprecedented.

Add in factors such as our franchise-record seven consecutive playoff ppearances and six straight seasons with attendance over 300,000, plus the new era in Hockeytown under the leadership of Steve Yzerman, and fans in our city have a lot to be proud of. National media is noticing, as Sports Business Journal recently named Grand Rapids as its Top Minor League Market for 2019. Th s gratifying honor recognizes a number of factors that make our area the place to be for sports – from team success to facilities to attendance to community involvement – and confi ms what we’ve always known: that our fans are simply the best.

On behalf of everyone in our organization, I raise a toast to you and the part you play in our continued success. Enjoy the 2019-20 season!

Sincerely,

Dan DeVos Chief Executive Offic Grand Rapids Griffins

10 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Dear Fans, It is my pleasure once again to welcome you all to a new season of American Hockey League action, as we continue a tradition of excellence that dates back to our founding as a league in 1936.

The AHL remains proud of its role in developing nearly all of the players, coaches, executives, trainers, broadcasters and offi als who you see throughout the National Hockey League today. For more than eight decades, generations of our great fans have been able to cheer on future superstars and Stanley Cup champions, and more than 100 eventual members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The 2019-20 season is sure to be another memorable one as we drop the puck in 31 cities across North America, all vying to become the next Calder Cup champion.

Thank you all for your continuing support of the AHL. Sincerely,

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 11

BY THE NUMBERS

88%

Percentage of all NHL

A TRADITION OF

players in 2018-19 who were graduates of the AHL

879

Former AHL players who skated in the NHL last season

THE BEGINNINGS Marking its 84th season of play in 2019-20, the American Hockey League is continuing a tradition of excellence that began in 1936 when the Canadian-American Hockey League merged with the International Hockey League to form what is today known as the AHL. Eight teams hit the ice that first season, playing in Buffalo, Cleveland, New

Haven, Philadelphia,

recent championship

Pittsburgh,

was captured by

Providence,

the Charlotte

Springfield and

Checkers last spring.

Syracuse.

From those roots,

356

Frank Calder, the

the American Hockey

National Hockey

League has grown into

AHL players who also played in the NHL in

League’s president

a 31-team league that

2018-19

at the time, was

provides fans with

instrumental in the

exciting, high-level

forming of this new

professional hockey

league, and his name

while preparing

would be given to its

thousands of players,

championship

coaches, officials,

trophy. The first

executives, trainers,

Calder Cup was won

broadcasters and more

by the Syracuse Stars

for careers in the NHL.

in 1937; the most

242

Former 1st- and 2ndround NHL draft picks who skated in the AHL in 2018-19

FROMTO LEFT TO RIGHT: TUUKKA RASK, LOGANCOUTURE, COUTURE, NIKITA KUCHEROV, JAKE GUENTZEL, P.K. SUBBAN FROM LEFT RIGHT: TUUKKA RASK, LOGAN NIKITA KUCHEROV, JAKE GUENTZEL, P.K. SUBBAN

THE PLAYERS

THE LEGENDS

THE COACHES

In today’s National

For the past eight

At the start of the 2019-20 season, the National

Hockey League nearly

decades, the American

Hockey League featured 23 head coaches who were

90 percent of the

Hockey League has

former AHL bench bosses, including 2019 Stanley

players are AHL alumni,

been home to some of

including 2019 Hart

the greatest players in

Trophy winner Nikita

the history of our sport.

Kucherov, Vezina

In fact, more than 100

Trophy recipient Andrei

honored members

Vasilevskiy and Norris

of the Hockey Hall

Trophy winner Mark

of Fame have been

Giordano. The 2019

affiliated with the AHL

Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper, Colorado’s Jared Bednar,

Stanley Cup champion

during their careers.

Boston’s Bruce Cassidy, New Jersey’s John Hynes,

St. Louis Blues were

All-time greats like

Chicago’s Jeremy Colliton and Minnesota’s Bruce

stocked with AHL

Johnny Bower, Toe

Boudreau are also among the current NHL coaches

graduates including

Blake, Gump Worsley,

Jordan Binnington,

Terry Sawchuk, Glenn

who spent time in the American Hockey League before

whose storybook season

Hall, Brad Park, Ken

began with the AHL’s

Dryden, and Brett

San Antonio Rampage.

Hull came through the AHL ranks and

During the 2018-19

now find themselves

season, a total of 879

enshrined in Toronto,

AHL alumni played in

and the coveted Calder

the National Hockey

Cup is inscribed with

League. There were

the names of legendary

356 players who

AHL alumni like Patrick

skated in both leagues

Roy, Larry Robinson,

last year alone,

Gerry Cheevers, Andy

including Ottawa’s

Bathgate, Tim Horton,

Drake Batherson,

Al Arbour, Emile

Vegas’s Brandon

Francis, Doug Harvey,

Pirri, Vancouver’s

and Billy Smith.

Thatcher Demko and Philadelphia’s Carter Hart.

In addition, more than 240 former first- and second-round NHL draft picks developed their skills in the AHL last season, including Erik Brannstrom, Tyler Benson, Jake Bean, Martin Kaut, Cal Foote and Cody Glass.

“My time spent in the AHL played a huge role in the person and athlete I am today.”

- J O R DA N B I N N I N G TO N S T. LO U I S B L U E S 2 0 1 8 A H L A L L-S TA R 2 0 1 9 S TA N L E Y CUP CHAMPION

Cup winner Craig Berube of the St. Louis Blues, 2019 Jack Adams Award recipient Barry Trotz of the New York Islanders, and new Anaheim Ducks coach Dallas Eakins, who spent the previous four seasons with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls.

making the jump.

Fear no forecast.

MICHELIN ® PILOT ® SPORT A/S 3+ REAL PERFORMANCE HAS NO OFF-SEASON. Copyright © 2016 Michelin North America, Inc. All rights reserved.

RHD Tire 800.632.8724 650 36TH ST SE WYOMING, MI 49548 www.RHDTIRE.COM

2 0 1 9 - 2 0 A H L D I R EC TO RY EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION: Bridgeport, Charlotte, Hartford, Hershey, Lehigh Valley, Providence, Springfiel , Wilkes-Barre/Scranton NORTH DIVISION: Belleville, Binghamton, Cleveland, Laval, Rochester, Syracuse, Toronto, Utica

BELLEVILLE SENATORS

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 2018-19 RECORD: 37-31-3-5, 82 pts./0.539 WEBSITE: bellevillesens.com

BINGHAMTON DEVILS

NHL AFFILIATION: New Jersey Devils HOME ICE: Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena (4,893) GENERAL MANAGER: Tom Fitzgerald HEAD COACH: Mark Dennehy ENTERED AHL: 2006-07 (as Lowell Devils) CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 4 of 13 2018-19 RECORD: 28-41-7-0, 63 pts./0.414 WEBSITE: binghamtondevils.com

BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS 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 2018-19 RECORD: 43-24-6-3, 95 pts./0.625 WEBSITE: soundtigers.com

CHARLOTTE CHECKERS

NHL AFFILIATION: Carolina Hurricanes HOME ICE: Bojangles’ Coliseum (8,500) GENERAL MANAGER: Derek Wilkinson HEAD COACH: Ryan Warsofsky ENTERED AHL: 2010-11 CALDER CUPS: One (2019) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 5 of 9 2018-19 RECORD: 51-17-7-1, 110 pts./0.724 WEBSITE: gocheckers.com

CLEVELAND MONSTERS

NHL AFFILIATION: Columbus Blue Jackets HOME ICE: Quicken Loans Arena (18,277/9,447 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 2018-19 RECORD: 37-29-8-2, 84 pts./0.553 WEBSITE: clevelandmonsters.com

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

NHL AFFILIATION: New York Rangers HOME ICE: XL Center (15,635) GENERAL MANAGER: Chris Drury HEAD COACH: Kris Knoblauch ENTERED AHL: 1997-98 CALDER CUPS: One (2000) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 15 of 22 2018-19 RECORD: 29-36-7-4, 69 pts./0.454 WEBSITE: hartfordwolfpack.com

HERSHEY BEARS

NHL AFFILIATION: Washington Capitals HOME ICE: Giant Center (10,500) GENERAL MANAGER: Bryan Helmer HEAD COACH: Spencer Carbery ENTERED AHL: 1938-39 CALDER CUPS: 11 (1947, 1958, 1959, 1969, 1974, 1980, 1988, 1997, 2006, 2009, 2010) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 68 of 81 2018-19 RECORD: 43-25-4-4, 94 pts./0.618 WEBSITE: hersheybears.com

LAVAL ROCKET

NHL AFFILIATION: Montreal Canadiens HOME ICE: Place Bell (10,062) GENERAL MANAGER: John Sedgwick HEAD COACH: Joel Bouchard ENTERED AHL: 2017-18 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 0 of 2 2018-19 RECORD: 30-34-6-6, 72 pts./0.474 WEBSITE: rocketlaval.com

LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS

NHL AFFILIATION: Philadelphia Flyers HOME ICE: PPL Center (8,420) GENERAL MANAGER: Bill Downey HEAD COACH: Scott Gordon ENTERED AHL: 1996-97 (as Philadelphia Phantoms) CALDER CUPS: Two (1998, 2005) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 12 of 23 2018-19 RECORD: 39-30-4-3, 85 pts./0.559 WEBSITE: phantomshockey.com

PROVIDENCE BRUINS

NHL AFFILIATION: Boston Bruins HOME ICE: Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence (11,273) GENERAL MANAGER: John Ferguson HEAD COACH: Jay Leach ENTERED AHL: 1992-93 CALDER CUPS: One (1999) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 22 of 27 2018-19 RECORD: 38-27-8-3, 87 pts./0.572 WEBSITE: providencebruins.com

ROCHESTER AMERICANS

NHL AFFILIATION: Buffalo abres HOME ICE: Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial (10,662) GENERAL MANAGER: Randy Sexton HEAD COACH: Chris Taylor ENTERED AHL: 1956-57 CALDER CUPS: Six (1965, 1966, 1968, 1983, 1987, 1996) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 46 of 63 2018-19 RECORD: 46-23-5-2, 99 pts./0.651 WEBSITE: amerks.com Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 15

2 0 1 9 - 2 0 A H L D I R EC TO RY SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS

UTICA COMETS

SYRACUSE CRUNCH

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS

NHL AFFILIATION: Florida Panthers HOME ICE: MassMutual Center (6,793) GENERAL MANAGER: Eric Joyce HEAD COACH: Geordie Kinnear ENTERED AHL: 2016-17 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 0 of 3 2018-19 RECORD: 33-29-9-5, 80 pts./0.526 WEBSITE: springfieldthunderbirds.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Tampa Bay Lightning HOME ICE: War Memorial Arena (6,110) GENERAL MANAGER: Stacy Roest HEAD COACH: Benoit Groulx ENTERED AHL: 1994-95 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 15 of 25 2018-19 RECORD: 47-21-4-4, 102 pts./0.671 WEBSITE: syracusecrunch.com

TORONTO MARLIES

NHL AFFILIATION: Vancouver Canucks HOME ICE: Utica Memorial Auditorium (3,917) GENERAL MANAGER: Ryan Johnson HEAD COACH: Trent Cull ENTERED AHL: 2013-14 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 3 of 6 2018-19 RECORD: 34-34-6-2, 76 pts./0.500 WEBSITE: uticacomets.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Pittsburgh Penguins HOME ICE: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza (8,050) GM/HEAD COACH: Mike Vellucci ENTERED AHL: 1999-00 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 17 of 20 2018-19 RECORD: 36-30-7-3, 82 pts./0.539 WEBSITE: wbspenguins.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Toronto Maple Leafs HOME ICE: Coca-Cola Coliseum (7,851) GENERAL MANAGER: Laurence Gilman HEAD COACH: Sheldon Keefe ENTERED AHL: 2005-06 CALDER CUPS: One (2018) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 11 of 14 2018-19 RECORD: 39-24-9-4, 91 pts./0.599 WEBSITE: marlies.ca

WESTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION: Grand Rapids, Chicago, Iowa, Manitoba, Milwaukee, Rockford, San Antonio, Texas PACIFIC DIVISION: Bakersfiel , Colorado, Ontario, San Diego, San Jose, Stockton, Tucson

BAKERSFIELD CONDORS

NHL AFFILIATION: Edmonton Oilers HOME ICE: Rabobank Arena (8,751) GENERAL MANAGER: Keith Gretzky HEAD COACH: Jay Woodcroft ENTERED AHL: 2015-16 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 1 of 4 2018-19 RECORD: 42-21-3-2, 89 pts./0.654 WEBSITE: bakersfieldcondors.com

CHICAGO WOLVES

NHL AFFILIATION: Vegas Golden Knights HOME ICE: Allstate Arena (16,692) GENERAL MANAGER: Wendell Young HEAD COACH: Rocky Thompson ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALDER CUPS: Two (2002, 2008) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 13 of 18 2018-19 RECORD: 44-22-6-4, 98 pts./0.645 WEBSITE: chicagowolves.com 16 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

COLORADO EAGLES

NHL AFFILIATION: Colorado Avalanche HOME ICE: Budweiser Events Center (5,289) GENERAL MANAGER: Craig Billington HEAD COACH: Greg Cronin ENTERED AHL: 2018-19 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 1 of 1 2018-19 RECORD: 36-27-4-1, 77 pts./0.566 WEBSITE: coloradoeagles.com

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

NHL AFFILIATION: Detroit Red Wings HOME ICE: Van Andel Arena (10,834) GENERAL MANAGER: Ryan Martin HEAD COACH: Ben Simon ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALDER CUPS: Two (2013, 2017) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 13 of 18 2018-19 RECORD: 38-27-7-4, 87 pts./0.572 WEBSITE: griffinshockey.com

IOWA WILD

NHL AFFILIATION: Minnesota Wild HOME ICE: Wells Fargo Arena (8,356) GENERAL MANAGER: Tom Kurvers HEAD COACH: Tim Army ENTERED AHL: 2013-14 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 1 of 6 2018-19 RECORD: 37-26-8-5, 87 pts./0.572 WEBSITE: iowawild.com

2 0 1 9 - 2 0 A H L D I R EC TO RY MANITOBA MOOSE

SAN JOSE BARRACUDA

NHL AFFILIATION: Winnipeg Jets HOME ICE: Bell MTS Place (8,812) GENERAL MANAGER: Craig Heisinger HEAD COACH: Pascal Vincent ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 (played through 2010-11; re-entered 2015-16) CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 10 of 14 2018-19 RECORD: 39-30-5-2, 85 pts./0.559 WEBSITE: moosehockey.com

NHL AFFILIATION: San Jose Sharks HOME ICE: SAP Center at San Jose (6,123, curtained) GENERAL MANAGER: Joe Will HEAD COACH: Roy Sommer ENTERED AHL: 2015-16 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 4 of 4 2018-19 RECORD: 39-22-3-4, 85 pts./0.625 WEBSITE: sjbarracuda.com

MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS

PRIMARY MARK

STOCKTON HEAT

NHL AFFILIATION: Nashville Predators HOME ICE: UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena (9,450) GENERAL MANAGER: Scott Nichol HEAD COACH: Karl Taylor ENTERED AHL: 2001-02 CALDER CUPS: One (2004) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 15 of 18 2018-19 RECORD: 36-24-14-2, 88 pts./0.579 WEBSITE: milwaukeeadmirals.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Calgary Flames HOME ICE: Stockton Arena (6,705) GENERAL MANAGER: Brad Pascall HEAD COACH: Cail MacLean ENTERED AHL: 2015-16 CALDER CUPS: None ONTARIOSEASONS REIGN IN PLAYOFFS: 1 of 4 PRIMARY MARK 2018-19 RECORD: 31-31-4-2, 68 pts./0.500 WEBSITE: stocktonheat.com

ONTARIO REIGN

NHL AFFILIATION: Los Angeles Kings HOME ICE: Toyota Arena (9,491) GENERAL MANAGER: Richard Seeley HEAD COACH: Mike Stothers ENTERED AHL: 2015-16 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 3 of 4 2018-19 RECORD: 25-33-6-4, 60 pts./0.441 WEBSITE: ontarioreign.com

STOCKTON HEAT

PANTONE 186 C

PANTONE 110 C

PANTONE 425 C

PANTONE 142 C

PROCESS BLACK

TEXAS STARS

PANTONE 429 C

PROCESS BLACK

NHL AFFILIATION: Dallas Stars HOME ICE: H-E-B Center at Cedar Park (6,779) GENERAL MANAGER: Scott White HEAD COACH: Derek Laxdal ENTERED AHL: 2009-10 CALDER CUPS: One (2014) SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 7 of 10 2018-19 RECORD: 37-31-4-4, 82 pts./0.539 WEBSITE: texasstars.com 2015-16

WHITE

ROCKFORD ICEHOGS

TUCSON ROADRUNNERS

NHL AFFILIATION: Chicago Blackhawks HOME ICE: BMO Harris Bank Center (5,895) GENERAL MANAGER: Mark Bernard HEAD COACH: Derek King ENTERED AHL: 2007-08 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 6 of 12 2018-19 RECORD: 35-31-4-6, 80 pts./0.526 WEBSITE: icehogs.com

NHL AFFILIATION: Arizona Coyotes HOME ICE: Tucson Arena (6,521) GENERAL MANAGER: Steve Sullivan HEAD COACH: Jay Varady ENTERED AHL: 2016-17 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 1 of 3 2018-19 RECORD: 34-26-5-3, 76 pts./0.559 WEBSITE: tucsonroadrunners.com

SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE

NHL AFFILIATION: St. Louis Blues HOME ICE: AT&T Center (6,374, lower bowl) GENERAL MANAGER: Kevin McDonald HEAD COACH: Drew Bannister ENTERED AHL: 2002-03 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 4 of 17 2018-19 RECORD: 31-38-6-1, 69 pts./0.454 WEBSITE: sarampage.com

THE ROAD TO THE CALDER CUP Eight teams in each conference will qualify for the 2020 Calder Cup Playoffs.

PRIMARY MARK

SAN DIEGO GULLS

NHL AFFILIATION: Anaheim Ducks HOME ICE: Pechanga Arena San Diego (12,920) GENERAL MANAGER: Bob Ferguson HEAD COACH: Kevin Dineen ENTERED AHL: 2015-16 CALDER CUPS: None SEASONS IN PLAYOFFS: 3 of 4 2018-19 RECORD: 36-24-5-3, 80 pts./0.588 WEBSITE: sandiegogulls.com

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

SAN DIEGO GULLS ranked

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

PANTONE 1655 C

PANTONE MEDIUM BLUE C

PANTONE 5455 C

PROCESS BLACK

WHITE

2015-16

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 17

WHITE

Photo: Getty Images

DE

T

Atha com (101 the G Detr wore the 2

TOP A AREN CONT STAN 1954, 19

MANA EXECUT ASSIST

COAC HEAD C ASSIST Adam N ASST. C GOALTE ASSIST

Photo: Getty Images

DETROIT

T

he Red Wings’ young forward core of Tyler Bertuzzi, Andreas Athanasiou and Anthony Mantha combined to log 221 points (101-120—221) in 352 games with the Griffins before graduating Detroit. In all, 27 Griffins alum wore the Winged Wheel during the 2018-19 season.

TOP AFFILIATE: Grand Rapids Griffins • 18th Seas 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 MANAGERS: Ryan Martin, Pat Verbeek COACHING STAFF HEAD COACH: Jeff Blashil ASSISTANT COACHES: Dan Bylsma, Doug Houda, Adam Nightingale ASST. COACH/VIDEO: LJ Scarpace GOALTENDING COACH: Jeff Salajk ASSISTANT VIDEO COACH: Jeff Weintrau

RED WINGS

GRIFFINS WHO HAVE EARNED THEIR WINGS

Justin Abdelkader, 2008-09 Adam Almquist, 2013-14 Joakim Andersson, 2011-12 Andreas Athanasiou, 2015-16 Sean Avery, 2002-03 Ryan Barnes, 2003-04 Tyler Bertuzzi, 2016-17 Patrick Boileau, 2002-03 Darryl Bootland, 2003-04 Fabian Brunnstrom, 2011-12 Mitch Callahan, 2013-14 Jake Chelios, 2018-19 Dennis Cholowski, 2018-19 Ty Conklin, 2011-12 Chris Conner, 2011-12 Jared Coreau, 2016-17 Danny DeKeyser, 2013-14 Aaron Downey, 2008-09 Patrick Eaves, 2013-14 Christoffer Ehn, 2018-19 Matt Ellis, 2006-07 Cory Emmerton, 2010-11 Jonathan Ericsson, 2007-08 Landon Ferraro, 2013-14 Valtteri Filppula, 2005-06 Martin Frk, 2017-18 Luke Glendening, 2013-14 Mark Hartigan, 2007-08 Darren Helm, 2007-08 Joe Hicketts, 2017-18

Jimmy Howard, 2005-06 Filip Hronek, 2018-19 Jiri Hudler, 2003-04 Matt Hussey, 2006-07 Doug Janik, 2009-10 Nick Jensen, 2016-17 Tomas Jurco, 2013-14 Jakub Kindl, 2009-10 Tomas Kopecky, 2005-06 Niklas Kronwall, 2003-04 Marc Lamothe, 2003-04 Josh Langfeld, 2006-07 Dylan Larkin, 2015-16 Brian Lashoff, 2012-13 Brett Lebda, 2005-06 Ville Leino, 2008-09 Matt Lorito, 2016-17 Joey MacDonald, 2006-07 Donald MacLean, 2005-06 Anthony Mantha, 2015-16 Alexey Marchenko, 2013-14 Darren McCarty, 2007-08 Tom McCollum, 2010-11 Dylan McIlrath, 2018-19 Derek Meech, 2006-07 Wade Megan, 2018-19 Drew Miller, 2016-17 Kevin Miller, 2003-04 Mark Mowers, 2003-04 Petr Mrazek, 2012-13

Jan Mursak, 2010-11 Anders Myrvold, 2003-04 Andrej Nestrasil, 2014-15 Kris Newbury, 2009-10 Tomas Nosek, 2015-16 Gustav Nyquist, 2011-12 Xavier Ouellet, 2013-14 Matt Puempel, 2018-19 Teemu Pulkkinen, 2013-14 Kyle Quincey, 2005-06 Dan Renouf, 2016-17 Mattias Ritola, 2007-08 Jamie Rivers, 2003-04 Nathan Robinson, 2003-04 Stacy Roest, 2002-03 Robbie Russo, 2016-17 Riley Sheahan, 2011-12 Brendan Smith, 2011-12 Givani Smith, 2019-20 Ryan Sproul, 2013-14 Garrett Stafford, 2007-08 Ben Street, 2016-17 Libor Sulak, 2018-19 Evgeny Svechnikov, 2016-17 Eric Tangradi, 2015-16 Tomas Tatar, 2010-11 Jordin Tootoo, 2013-14 Dominic Turgeon, 2017-18 Jason Williams, 2002-03 Filip Zadina, 2018-19

* not including conditioning stints for Curtis Joseph (2003-04), Chris Osgood (2005-06), Manny Legace (2005-06), Chris Chelios (2008-09), Andreas Lilja (2009-10), Jonas Gustavsson (2012-13), Carlo Colaiacovo (2012-13), Stephen Weiss (2014-15) and Michael Rasmussen (2018-19).

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 19

CALENDA MARK YOUR

NOV. 29

20th Annual Teddy Bear Toss presented by J&H Family Stores, benefiting Hug ABears of Kent County

DEC. 6

Fifth Annual Red Kettle Game presented by The Salvation Army/ Jersey Auction

DEC. 31

23rd Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration/ Post-Game Fireworks/ 6 p.m. start

JAN. 11

Heroes vs. Villains Night presented by Michigan First Credit Union/ Character Appearances

JAN. 18

Wizards Night presented by Marathon/Jersey Auction

JAN. 18-19

17th Annual Great Skate Winterfest at Rosa Parks Circle, benefiting the G iffin Youth Foundation

JAN. 24

Presented by Spectrum Health Stroke Awareness

JAN. 25

Hockey Without Barriers Night presented by Comerica Bank/ Fleece Blanket Giveaway

JAN. 26

Try Blind Hockey at Griff’s IceHouse at Belknap Park

FEB. 8

Stranger Griffs Night presented

by Lake Michigan Credit Union/ Trucker Hat Giveaway

FEB. 9

Princess Day/Princess Appearances

FEB. 14

Valentine’s Day

20 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

DAR

ircle, uth

ealth

ight nk/

ented nion/

FEB. 22

‘90s Night presented by Adventure Credit Union/Fanny Pack Giveaway/Fan-Designed Jersey Auction

FEB. 25

CHECK OUT THE JERSEY LINEUP THIS SEASON!

MARCH 16

Ninth Annual Hockey, Hops & Hope, benefiting Eas erseals Michigan

MARCH 27

15th Annual Griffins & Sle Wings Sled Hockey Game at Griff’s IceHouse at Belknap Park, benefiting the G and Rapids Sled Wings and the Griffin Youth Foundation

Ninth Annual Purple Community Game presented by Van Andel Institute/ Jersey Auction

MARCH 7

Star Wars Night presented

by DTE Energy/Character Appearances

Margaritaville Night presented

by Centennial Securities/ Straw Hat Giveaway

MARCH 13

APRIL 10

Salute to Badges Night presented by Comerica Bank

MARCH 14

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration presented by Michigan Office Solutions/Chris Terry Bobblehead Giveaway

MARCH 28

Fan Appreciation Night presented by Huntington Bank/Friday Night Jersey Auction

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 21

SEASON-LONG

PROMOTIONS $2 BEERS AND $2 HOT DOGS

Every Friday, enjoy $2 domestic drafts and $2 hot dogs from 6-8 p.m., while supplies last.

GET IN THE D-ZONE Presented by Coppercraft Distillery, every Friday night is a Griffins -Zone night. Avoid the concession lines and get your $2 beers and $2 hot dogs served to you in your seats. Call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2 or visit griffinsho ey.com/ dzone today to purchase a package of four or more D-Zone tickets for any Friday night game.

MILITARY NIGHTS Every home game, current members of our military can purchase up to four Upper Level Faceoff tic ets for $14 each, four Upper Level Center Ice tickets for $17 each, or four Lower Level Faceoff tic ets for $20 each with a valid military ID. The offer also extends to veterans who present a VA ID or discharge papers.

COLLEGE NIGHTS Presented by Michigan First Credit Union, college students can buy online using their school .edu email address or show their ID at every Friday game to purchase an Upper Level Faceoff tic et for $13 (or $12 in advance at The Zone) or an Upper Level Center Ice ticket for $16 (or $15 in advance at The Zone). Limit one ticket per ID if purchasing in-person. Visit griffinsho ey.com/college to sign up for College Night alerts.

FREE RIDE FRIDAY ON THE RAPID Ride the Rapid to and from any Friday game and enjoy a complimentary fare by showing your ticket to that night’s game. Visit ridetherapid.org for schedule information, routes and maps.

WINNING WEDNESDAYS Presented by Farm Bureau Insurance, every time the Griffins win t home on Wednesday,

each fan in attendance will receive a free ticket to the next Wednesday game.

low-fat yogurt, apples, oranges, granola bars and smoothies.

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

SUNDAY IS FUN DAY

BIG E’S SCORE 4 FOR MORE If the Griffins ore four or more goals during a home game, take your ticket from that game to Big E’s Sports Grill in Grand Rapids or Holland within four days to receive 50% off a y food item. Dine in only.

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 tic et for $14 (regularly $16 advance and $19 day of game), an Upper Level Center Ice ticket for $17 (regularly $19 advance and $22 day of game) or a Lower Level Faceoff ticket for $20 (regularly $22 advance and $25 day of game). Limit four tickets per card per person, subject to availability.

FRIENDS & FAMILY 4-PACKS Presented by Big E’s Sports Grill and available for all Saturday games, each pack includes four tickets and $20 in concession cash for a great low price. Visit griffinsho ey.com/f4p or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2. Continuing this season, fans may use their concession cash to purchase healthy choice menu options at the stand located outside of section 126, including

For all Sunday games, enjoy $1 small Pepsi drinks and $1 small ice cream cups from 3-5 p.m.

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: C Bookmark #1 – Nov. 29, Dec. 4; Bookmark #2 – Feb. 23, March 11 and 25, April 1.M

POST-GAME OPEN SKATES Nov. 29, Dec. 31, April 10

HUNTINGTON BANK POST-GAME AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS MY

Jan. 11, Jan. 25, Feb. 9, March 7, MarchCY28

MOS CORNER OFFICE

CMY

W

Presented by Michigan Office Solutions,K this section, located on the terrace level above section 118, provides the best seats in the house for groups of up to 30 people, with La-Z-Boy chairs and an array of unprecedented amenities.

Call (616) 774-4585 ext. 4.

J. GARDELLA’S SLIDERS SPECIAL Available on select tickets, take your used Griffins ti et to J. Gardella’s Tavern to buy one slider and get one of equal or lesser price free. Refer to the back of select tickets for details.

GRIFFINS WIN, YOU WIN When the Griffins win t home, take your ticket from that game into any participating West Michigan Tim Hortons the following day and receive a free donut.

All promotions and dates subject to change.

For more information, visit griffinshockey.com.

22 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Y

CM

MEM CB-21

G

S C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

MY

K

Want to feel like an MVP? Get full-service banking.

At Comerica Bank, every account comes with the tools, knowledge and one-on-one support you need every step of the way.

That’s full-service banking.

Proud sponsor of the Grand Rapids Griffins

MEMBER FDIC. CB-215050 09/19

In memory of Bill LeRoy G R I F F I N S

V I D E O

Bill was a valued member of the Griffins’ coaching staff since 2001 and a key contributor to the team’s success for nearly two decades, including the Calder Cup championships in 2013 and 2017 that meant so much to him. Including his prior tenure with the Kalamazoo Wings, Bill served a number of future NHL coaches during his four decades in the game, including Kevin Constantine, Ken Hitchcock, Claude Noel, Jim Playfair, Guy Charron, Bruce Cassidy, Curt Fraser, Jeff 24 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

C O A C H

(1963-2019)

Blashill and Todd Nelson. His dry wit, memorable personality and passion for hockey endeared him to all, and his impact upon our organization will be enduring.

Our prayers remain with Bill’s children, Tyler and Becca, and all of his loved ones, including his mother Janet, father William, brother Tim, and girlfriend Tami.

We miss you, Billy, but don’t worry.

We’ll always remember to pack the two points.

her

y. he Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 25

First-round draft pick Moritz Seider is making an impression during his first season in North America.

When Moritz Seider was figuring out what to wear during the 2019 NHL Entry Draft at Rogers Arena in Vancouver last June, he decided to rock a bowtie.

“I wanted to keep the German tradition going,” he said. “Dominik Bokk (fellow German who was the 25th overall pick in 2018) did it the year before and I thought, ‘Maybe it’ll be lucky and I’ll go in the first round, too.’ That’s why I wore a bowtie.”

Even so, he still wore the look of surprise when Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman 26 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

announced his name as the sixth overall pick.

“It was pretty funny because my mom told me like 15-20 seconds earlier, ‘Hey, it’s going to be your time – they’re going to call your name now’ and I thought, ‘Yeah mom, I know you’re excited and you’re nervous, but calm down.’ So when he said my name I was like, ‘Wait. What’s going on?’

Many hockey observers were taken aback by the choice, even though Seider was highly touted as a smart and mobile two-way defenseman of good size and hockey instincts with few weaknesses. continued on page 28

Story and photos

by Mark Newman

a.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 27

Seider is the Red Wings’ second consecutive sixth overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft, following Filip Zadina in 2018.

In fact, Seider was interviewed by all 31 teams during the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo just a few weeks earlier.

“I had the pleasure to meet all the teams and get to know a little bit about their organizations,” he said. “I knew there was interest from Detroit but they were always at No. 6, so I didn’t really think that far ahead.”

His interview with Yzerman, which was his final meeting of the NHL Scouting Combine, lasted 40 minutes and was a harbinger of what was to come. Yzerman quizzed him up and down, wanting to know almost everything about his family and his upbringing.

“He wanted to make sure that he didn’t miss anything,” Seider said. “He’s such a calm guy that it was like talking to a friend. He visited me three times, including twice with Tampa and once with Detroit. It was very exciting for me because I got the chance to actually meet a Hall of Famer.”

The bow-tied Seider was left tongue-tied by the shock of becoming the second-highest drafted German-trained player in NHL history, behind only Leon Draisaitl, who was 28 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

the third overall pick in the 2014 draft by the Edmonton Oilers.

“I don’t have any words for how I felt,” he said. “I remember thinking, ‘Don’t fall and do anything stupid on the stairs.’ I just wanted to enjoy the moment. And when you stand up there in front of all those people, your hands are so sweaty. But it was a phenomenal moment.”

It was the culmination of a memorable journey for Seider and his parents, Kay and Sabine, who had once quit their jobs as managers of a retirement home so that their son could pursue his dream of playing hockey at the highest level.

They weren’t always so sure of his chosen dream.

Seider still remembers his introduction to the game at age five.

“In kindergarten, we had the chance to jump on the ice once a week and after a couple of months, I got a little piece of paper in my stall from the local hockey organization in Erfurt. It was like, ‘Hey, you want to come over the next morning just to try it out.’

“I went with my mom and I was a little bit

nervous but totally excited. All the professionals from the top team were there waiting for us, and they skated with us for a couple of hours. I was totally fascinated by hockey and it became a beautiful moment (in my career).”

Seider said his parents initially were a bit hesitant about his ambitions. They equated hockey with fighting, not exactly what they envisioned for their younger son. His brother Marius, 10 years his elder, had played a lot of sports growing up, but hockey was not among them.

His father had competed in track and field and his mother had played a little basketball, but hockey was not their idea of sport.

“They actually bought a book about the hockey ABCs so they were able to get in touch with the game,” he said. “I think they eventually gave the book to my grandma. Now they’re my biggest supporters and my biggest fans. Now they really like the sport.”

As a young teen, Seider showed enough talent that his parents found themselves faced with a monumental decision. When the opportunity came for him to play junior hockey in the Adler Mannheim system, both Kay and Sabine quit

their jobs and left their home in Erfurt so they could move with then 14-year-old Moritz.

“I played a couple of tournaments with Mannheim as a guest player, so when I turned 14, we had a big discussion at home because Mannheim wanted me to come and I wasn’t ready to leave my parents,” he said.

“They decided to move with me, so they quit everything and we moved to Mannheim. It was a huge risk they took, but in the end, it worked out pretty well. They got good jobs, we had a nice apartment and it was a great move for my hockey career.”

After a couple of years of junior hockey, Seider got his first taste of the professional game at age 16.

“I played my first pro game at 16 and it was a huge challenge,” he said. “The main thing was I got to train with the team, so when the next season started, it was a lot easier than coming in as a complete stranger.”

At age 17, he appeared in 29 regular season games with Adler Mannheim in the top German league during 2018-19, then recorded five assists in 14 playoff games to help the Eagles win the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) title.

Seider is the first German defenseman to be selected in the first round of an NHL Entry Draft.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 29

Seid

Say hello to the venue you’ve been searching for.

5,000 SQ. FT. 14 GLASS DOORS SEATING FOR UP TO 300 HEAT & AIR CONDITIONING PRIVATE BRIDAL PREP SUITE WIFI STATE-OF-THE-ART PRESENTATION SYSTEM EXECUTIVE CHEF

PRIVATE EVENTS | WEDDINGS REHEARSAL DINNERS UNIONATRAILSIDE.COM

Seider is an excellent skater for a big man (6-3, 209 lbs.).

He topped the year off by playing for Germany in the IIHF World Championship.

Looking back, Seider believes it was a year of great growth.

“In the beginning, I struggled a bit, but I think that’s normal for someone playing pro hockey at such a young age,” he said. “When I figured out my role, I was pretty happy. I felt I played very solid in the playoffs and I was very proud to represent my country in the World Championships, too.”

In many ways, it was an unforgettable season, from being paired with Joonas Lehtivouri, a 13year pro out of Pirkkala, Finland, to babysitting for the veterans on the Mannheim team.

“Joonas was a great teammate,” Seider said.

“He has such great experience that he helped me every single day, both in the locker room and on the ice. He was just so calm under the pressure. Even under tight situations, I knew I could give him the puck and he would always find the solutions.

“In the end, I think we had pretty good chemistry and worked well together.”

Even the babysitting gig came naturally.

“I was so thankful for that experience,” he said. “We had guys on the team that had won the Stanley Cup (Ben Smith and Andrew Desjardins, both with Chicago) or had played over 600 NHL games (Marcel Goc), so when you can meet their families and play with their kids, it’s fun.

“When they wanted to go out for dinner and asked us younger guys to babysit their kids, we did and it was a great experience.”

Seider shows so much maturity as a player that it’s easy to sometimes forget that he is still a teenager.

He credits his development to the coaching that he has received over the years.

“Every single coach I had did something for me,” he said. “You have to be lucky to be in the right spot, so I am thankful that I got great support not only in Mannheim but Erfurt, too. Now I’m in a great organization that I can trust, so I think everything has worked out well so far.”

Defense is his natural position, but he played some at the center position earlier in his career.

“I think it’s good to play every position once and figure out what you do best,” he said. “I like playing defense because you get to see the whole ice. You’re the one who can make Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 31

spac creat “I excit my c out t Se of th “G Nikl help “Now and some time A wou Seid play “I he sa the N oppo worl well

Scouts project that Seider could become a top pairing, minute-munching defenseman in the NHL.

space for your teammates and make plays to create offense.

“I always wanted to be a goalie, so I was so excited when I tried it when I was younger, but my coach was like, ‘No chance. We need you out there.’”

Seider said he learned from watching some of the best.

“Growing up, I liked defensemen like Niklas Lidstrom and Scott Niedermayer who helped change the game of hockey,” he said.

“Nowadays, I look up to guys like Roman Josi and Zach Werenski. You always try to take something from each game and do it the next time on the ice.”

Although there was some speculation that he would return to play in Germany this season, Seider is clear that it was always his intention to play in North America.

“I think this is the next step in my career,” he said. “Now it’s just about getting ready for the NHL and I think the AHL presents the best opportunity. It’s the second-best league in the world. You have guys with a lot of experience as well as young guys who want to make the NHL,

so it’s very competitive.”

Although he is praised for possessing good hockey instincts, he knows he still has much to learn. “Playing pro hockey last season helped me, but I know that every time I step into this building I will have to work hard and come to compete every day. That’s what (the AHL) is all about.”

There will be adjustments to be made along the way.

“I think the hardest thing is daily life,” he said. “It’s cooking dinner, cleaning the apartment, washing clothes, and all those kinds of tasks.”

It helps that his English is very good. His play on the ice, however, still needs some polishing.

“I think the biggest area for improvement is my overall play in the defensive zone,” he said. “I need to provide tight coverage and not be afraid to play tough against other teams. I just need to get more smoothness in my game. I want to be calm under pressure.”

Playing top minutes with the Griffins, he knows, will ultimately pay dividends at the next level.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 33

Joe Veleno is working overtime to improve his game and develop himself into an NHL player.

Story and photos by Mark Newman

T

alk to Joe Veleno for any length of time about what it will take to go from being a late first-round draft pick to becoming a bonafide NHL star and you might get the idea that the young man has a one-track mind.

Work, work hard, work harder. Pick any variation of the endeavor to excel through endless effort and you will have found the essence of his ethos. Keep working is Veleno’s mantra, and he will do his best to assure you that a good work ethic is ultimately the only way forward.

At age 19, Veleno already shows considerable maturity, a gift of his upbringing in Kirkland, Quebec, a suburban outpost on the Island of Montreal, where his father Tony managed a catering company while his mother Lina was working to make sure the three kids in the family kept their heads on straight.

Veleno showed exceptional talent as a youngster, honing his skills while playing pond hockey and other games with older brother Michael-Anthony and older cousins Anthony and Michael Buonincontri.

34 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 35

Veleno was the Red Wings’ second choice in the first round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

He dreamed about someday doing what his favorite player could do better than almost anyone. His childhood hero was Alexander Ovechkin, whom he idolized for his scoring ability – even receiving a Washington Capitals jersey as a Christmas present when he was about 8.

“I was always a big Ovi fan,” Veleno said. “As I was growing up, he was in his prime and he was always scoring big goals. I’d watch the Capitals games whenever I could and I’d get pretty excited because they were a fun team to watch with so many skilled players.”

Even so, Veleno learned from an early age that there’s more to being a complete hockey player than just putting the puck into the net. His dedication and determination to the game allowed him to excel far beyond his years.

“It was a combination of coaching and just putting in a lot of work,” Veleno said of his early development. “Certainly there are many coaches who helped me big time over the years and my parents sacrificed a great deal to help me become the player that I am today.”

Minor hockey, for Veleno, was about having fun as much as strengthening his skating ability 36 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

and puck skills. He singles out guidance given by coaches like Dominic Romano and his uncle, Frank Buonincontri.

“They helped me develop even more as a person than a player,” Veleno said. “They brought me up with a good work ethic. They taught me how important it is to be a good, hard worker.

With time and good coaching, I think my skill eventually took over.”

Veleno played elite soccer until he was 12 then played a year of lacrosse, before it became evident that his hockey aspirations would benefit from a singular focus. By the age of 14, it was clear that he had special talent that stamped him as the best 2000-born hockey player in the Quebec province.

He became the first player in QMJHL history to be granted exceptional status, allowing him to join the major-junior league as a 15-year-old.

He became only the fifth player in Canadian Hockey League history allowed to join a year early, following John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid and Sean Day. With the petition to be permitted to play against 19- and 20-year-olds in the province ahead of schedule, Veleno was accepting a rare challenge, willing to shoulder untold hype and headlines.

Not even the likes of Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux were tested so early in their hockey careers. For Veleno, living with high expectations was something that he had long known.

“When I was younger, I was taught to be a good example to the other kids who may have been a little behind in their development,” he said.

“The qualities of being a good leader have stuck with me ever since.”

Veleno played Midget Triple-A hockey for the Lac St-Louis Lions, the same program that had produced NHL players like Jonathan Drouin and Anthony Duclair. “I had the idea of school in the back of my mind, but it wasn’t my main priority,” he said. “For me, the biggest thing was to get the chance to play in the Q. I wanted to play on the same ice where those guys had one played, to play on a nice stage, in big arenas.”

The Saint John Ice Dogs selected Veleno with the first pick in the QMJHL draft, which allowed him to join an already talented team that had qualified for the playoffs the previous season and had been fortunate to hold the No. 1 card, thanks to a previous deal with Drummondville.

Veleno quickly learned that facing players a few years older wasn’t going to be easy.

“It was definitely a bigger step,” he said. “It was

a challenge, but the game in the Q is based on skill and speed, so the league fit my style of play. It took me a couple of games to get used to the pace and physicality, but it was eventually just a matter of having fun.”

Playing mostly third-line minutes, Veleno posted respectable, if hardly eye-popping, numbers during the 2015-16 season, when he scored 13 goals in 62 games, along with 30 assists for a total of 43 points.

“It’s not an easy thing to put up the kind of numbers some of the guys put up their first year,” Veleno said. “When I came to the rink every day, I wasn’t worried about getting points. I just kept working hard and trying to become the best player I could be. Being a skilled player, I knew the points would eventually come.”

Veleno started producing at a point-per-game pace during his second season in the Q and continued to score at a similar rate during his third year, when he was traded in midseason to Drummondville, the organization that originally owned the pick that would bring him into the league.

He appeared to elevate his game upon joining the Voltigeurs, tallying 16 goals and 32 assists for 48 points in 33 games with Drummondville.

Veleno recorded his first professional goal on Oct. 25 in a Griffins home game against Manitoba.

He credits his teammates for helping him make the transition to his new club and ascribes his improved play to the instruction of his new coach, Dominique Ducharme.

“Besides scoring and putting up points, my coach had me focus on playing good defense so that I was able to show that I could be responsible and earn his trust,” he said. “To this day, it’s still a learning process.”

His dedication to defense only increased after the Red Wings selected him in the first round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Veleno was Detroit’s second selection, 30th overall, behind Filip Zadina, who the Wings had chosen with the sixth pick.

“I wanted to score goals and put up points, but after I was drafted, Detroit stressed the importance of playing a 200-foot game,” he said. “The game is not all about points. It’s also about playing the game properly and playing a 200-foot game.

Playing defense may not matter when you’re putting up 100 points in juniors, but when you get to the next level, the game gets tougher and things like defensive play become more important.”

Shawn Horcoff, the Red Wings’ director of player development, helped Veleno see the value of becoming a strong two-way player. Ducharme, Veleno adds, helped him stay on track.

“He was hard on me every day during practice because good practice habits often lead into the game,” Veleno said. “He pushed me to use my skills and as I became more comfortable with my linemates, I started playing the way I’m supposed to play.”

Veleno put up some rather impressive numbers during the 2018-19 season. With a renewed focus on defense, he recorded 42 goals and 62 assists for a total of 104 points in 59 games.

“I saw that playing better defensively led to more offense,” he said. “I got to play with some really talented guys, including my current teammate, Gregor MacLeod, who is a smart player and creates a lot of offense. So if I worked hard and distributed the puck to them, I’d often get rewarded.

“As a team, when your group is going good, you’re going to enjoy success individually as well.”

Veleno saw proof of that belief again this past fall when the Red Wings won the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City. The young center had seven goals in four games, including two third-period tallies in the championship game against the Dallas Stars.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 37

Veleno scored seven goals in four games to help the Red Wings win the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City last fall.

“Everything was clicking, so it was fun,” he said. “As an organization, Detroit hadn’t won the prospects tournament in a while, so the guys wanted to make sure that we had that trophy in the end.”

Veleno spent last summer in Detroit, working on a quicker release for his shot and improving himself from a positional standpoint. He watched video clips of a young Dylan Larkin and saw firsthand how the Wings’ budding star worked hard to better himself.

“I thought sacrificing my summer helped my game a lot,” he said. “I wanted to get stronger and get on the same page by working out with NHL players like Larkin, (Luke) Glendening, (Darren) Helm and others. I just tried my best to keep up with them.

“When you see established NHL players looking to get extra reps in the gym, looking to give it their all even on days when they may not feel like it, you realize that they’re doing everything they can to push each other and to prove why they’re able to play in the best league in the world.”

Veleno admits that he was a little surprised that he was selected so late in the first round of the 38 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

draft when some had projected him to be a much earlier pick. In the end, he knows it won’t matter whether he was drafted 10th or 30th overall. What will matter is how well he eventually plays.

“I was just happy to get drafted,” he said. “I didn’t go into the draft hoping I would be picked here or there. That’s not the mentality you want to have because all kinds of crazy things can happen in a draft. Ultimately, it just makes me want to work harder every day and beat all those guys who went ahead of me.”

Veleno talks about “bearing down” and a “winning mentality.” He feels he is in a good spot, playing for a playoff-hungry organization that has been procuring prospects to push the team in the right direction.

“Coming to a great organization like Detroit where it looks like there will be a lot of opportunities for younger players pushes you to work that much harder to make it to the big club,” Veleno said.

“We have a lot of good, young players in the organization, whether they were drafted or coming out of school. There’s a lot of talent, but we have to work hard. It’s a matter of staying patient and finding ways to get better at what we’re doing.”

O

CLEAN CHECKS Our new ticket counters make checking in for your ˜igh t and checking your bags easier.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport ˜ies t o over 30 nonstop destinations.

Jeff Blashil lifted the Calder Cup in his first of three seasons as the head coach of the Griffi .

˜yf ord.org Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 39

YGRIFFINS YOUR OUR 2019-20 GRAND RAPIDS

3

15 ALEX BIEGA

TURNER ELSON

Defenseman 5-10, 199 lbs.

Born: 4/8/88 Montreal, Que.

2

4

Forward 5-11, 185 lbs.

Born: 9/13/92 Edmonton, Alta.

7 JOE HICKETTS

18 Defenseman 6-3, 215 lbs.

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

40 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Defenseman 6-4, 218 lbs.

Born: 3/2/84 Karlskrona, Sweden

RYAN KUFFNER

Defenseman 6-3, 195 lbs.

Born: 9/4/95 Pori, Finland

GUSTAV LINDSTROM Defenseman 6-2, 187 lbs.

Born: 10/20/98 Ostervala, Sweden

MATTHEW FORD

Forward 6-1, 205 lbs.

Born: 10/9/84 Los Angeles, Calif.

30

21

5 BRIAN LASHOFF

JONATHAN ERICSSON

OLIWER KASKI

Defenseman 5-8, 180 lbs.

Born: 5/4/96 Kamloops, B.C.

55

Forward 6-0, 190 lbs.

Born: 6/12/96 Ottawa, Ont.

8

FILIP LARSSON

Goaltender 6-2, 195 lbs.

Born: 8/17/98 Stockholm, Sweden

14 TROY LOGGINS Forward 5-10, 170 lbs.

Born: 7/21/95

Huntington Beach, Calif.

JARID LUKOSEVICIUS Forward 5-10, 192 Born: 2/5/95 Squamish, B.C.

R

S

D

lif.

N

den

IUS

.

Overall odds of winning a Fast Cash game are from 1 in 2.88 to 1 in 3.50.

Overall odds of winnng the Progressive Jackpot: 1 in 400,000.

Knowing your limits is always the best bet. Call the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline for conĂżdential help at 1-800-270-7117.

5

CHRIS TERRY

GUSTAV LINDSTROM

griffinshockey.com

CHRIS TERRY

m

25

griffinshockey.com

10

GR

D

31

CA

B M

53

M

Z

25

Proud Sponsor of Grand Rapids Griffins

B

10

29

GREGOR MACLEOD Forward 6-0, 175 lbs.

Born: 6/7/98 Dartmouth, N.S.

31

52 ALEC MCCREA

Defenseman 6-3, 210 lbs.

Born: 1/12/95 San Diego, Calif.

73 MATT PUEMPEL

Goaltender 6-1, 210 lbs.

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

Forward 6-1, 205 lbs.

Born: 1/24/93 Essex, Ont.

65 MORITZ SEIDER Defenseman 6-3, 209 lbs.

Born: 4/6/01 Zell, Germany

25 Forward 5-10, 200 lbs.

Born: 4/7/89 Brampton, Ont.

MICHAEL RASMUSSEN Forward 6-6, 230 lbs.

Born: 4/17/99 Surrey, B.C.

Forward 6-2, 203 lbs.

Born: 2/25/96 Pointe-Claire, Que.

VILI SAARIJARVI

Defenseman 5-10, 180 lbs.

Born: 5/15/97 Rovaniemi, Finland

37 GIVANI SMITH

Forward 5-11, 180 lbs.

Born: 4/18/93 Detroit, Mich.

Forward 6-2, 200 lbs.

Born: 8/23/97 Alpharetta, Ga.

9

54

DOMINIC TURGEON

CHASE PEARSON

Defenseman 6-4, 235 lbs.

Born: 4/20/92 Winnipeg, Man.

DOMINIK SHINE

23 CHRIS TERRY

DYLAN MCILRATH

27

CALVIN PICKARD

53

22

Forward 6-2, 210 lbs.

Born: 2/27/98 Toronto, Ont.

90

EVGENY SVECHNIKOV Forward 6-3, 208 lbs.

Born: 10/31/96

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia

11 JOE VELENO

Forward 6-2, 200 lbs.

Born: 1/13/00 Kirkland, Que.

FILIP ZADINA

Forward 6-0, 188 lbs.

Born: 11/27/99 Pardubice, Czech Republic

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 41

With an indomitable spirit, Joe Hicketts continues to show the spunk that stamps him as a dependable defenseman.

Story and photos by Mark Newman

It seems like only yesterday that Joe Hicketts was playing his first game for the Griffins after signing with the Red Wings as an undrafted free agent.

Now in his fourth season as a pro, the decidedly determined, diminutive defenseman has played more than 200 games in a Griffins jersey while making several trips to Detroit to provide invaluable service as a depth player.

“The time has gone fast, especially when you look at how much has changed with the roster, not only here but also in Detroit,” Hicketts said.

“Things have changed, but these four years have taught me a lot. As I’ve learned the league, I’ve learned how to prepare myself to play. I think that comes with becoming a veteran. You can start showing younger guys and mentoring them as well.”

This past summer, the Red Wings showed their satisfaction with the progress exhibited by the 5-8, 180-pound Hicketts, whose swagger and self-confidence have allowed him to exceed the expectations of many observers – Detroit signed him to a new two-year contract.

“A two-year deal was important to me,” he 42 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

said. “My exit meeting with management went really well, so another year of security – being in the plan for two more years – was something I wanted and was something that I was thankful that I got. I was happy to be back.”

Hicketts hopes to continue to build his NHL resume, which shows five games in 2017-18 and 11 games in 2018-19. His first recall this season led to a four-game stint in which he averaged 18:01 of ice time.

Making it to the NHL is a major accomplishment for any player, but especially for one who was spurned by every organization during the league’s annual draft.

“That’s what makes it so cool, knowing how much work I had to put in,” Hicketts said.

“Sometimes when you’re drafted, you get more of the benefit of the doubt. Even first-rounders may get a little more of a look than third- or fifthrounders. To go from being undrafted to playing in the NHL, it’s probably one of my biggest and most proud moments.”

It’s why Hicketts will never forget Jan. 22, 2018, when he made his NHL debut against New Jersey in a game that was attended by his parents.

“It was a dream come true, obviously, because you work your whole life to get there,” Hicketts said. “I was good until about 10 minutes and 30 seconds before the game. We skated for warmups and when the lights came on, it felt like the brightest lights ever. It felt like I was living in a fantasy world out there. Everything felt magnified.

“It was unreal. And when we went back to the room, I started to get that butterfly feeling.

And all of a sudden, you get these other feelings.

It’s not doubt, but you feel unsure. ‘What am I getting myself into?’ And my stomach started turning.

“When we went back out, I took one or two shifts and then I started to settle in. And I remember thinking, ‘I’ll be okay. I can play in this league.’ You just need to get rocked once.

You’re thinking, ‘Oh, this is so cool,’ and then bang! But that never happened. Or maybe it did and I just blocked it out.”

In his second NHL game, two months later, he recorded two assists against Pittsburgh, assisting on goals by Frans Nielsen and Darren Helm in a 5-2 win. “That was really cool,” he said. “Any time you can contribute offensively is

a fantastic feeling. To get two assists in one game was very special. And then we went to Buffalo and I got another assist, so I had three points in three games. I thought about retiring.”

Hicketts has since made enough trips back and forth between Grand Rapids and Detroit that he is now comfortable with the process.

In some ways, he thinks playing in the NHL is actually easier than playing in the AHL. “The skill, the speed, and the size are similar between the two leagues, but that extra experience you find in the NHL makes it a little easier because everyone is a little smarter positionally,” he said. “In the NHL, when I’m trying to make a pass, I know my centerman is in the right spot because he’s done it for 12 years. I know my winger can help get the puck out. In the AHL, sometimes we’re a little out of sorts.”

For his part, Hicketts feels he is a smarter player today than he was when he joined the Griffins after four years of junior hockey with the WHL’s Victoria Royals. His play, if not less aggressive, is a bit more conservative. He still enjoys making big hits but is more careful when picking his spots.

Hicketts is now in his fourth season with the Red Wings organization.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 43

Hicketts became a Calder Cup champion with the Griffins in 2017.

44 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

came r Cup h the 2017.

“Against guys who are bigger, stronger, faster than in juniors, you have to take a risk assessment when you’re trying to do stuff,” he said. “I’ve learned to play smarter. In my first or second year, I was jumping every chance that I could. Now when I jump, I make sure it’s a really good time, that it’s a good opportunity to create a scoring chance. One, you’re not wasting energy. Two, you’re not putting yourself in a position to work harder. It’s all about playing smarter.”

As a rookie, Hicketts was a member of the 2017 Calder Cup champion team – a thrill that has only increased with time.

“It was unreal,” he said. “You win tournaments when you’re younger, whether it’s Pee Wee, Bantam or Midget, but it’s not the same as winning a title as a pro. So when you win the Cup in your first year, there’s so much you can learn. Every playoff game is equal to two or three regular season games of experience when you come back the following year.”

Of course, the peril of capturing a championship in your first year is that there’s a chance that it makes it all seem almost too easy.

“You think, ‘This is awesome. We can do this every year.’ And then you get the reality check,”

Hicketts said. “In the last two years, we’ve had good teams but we’ve run into some trouble with injuries or suspensions and we’ve faced some really hard teams in series. We’ve taken both Manitoba and Chicago to five games, but they’ve been like wars.”

For Hicketts, it’s what makes playoff hockey so special.

“I love the playoffs,” he said. “All those little things that coaches say matter, like playing a full 60 minutes, actually matter in the playoffs.

During the playoffs, everyone has a certain sharpness in their mentality. ‘We’re coming to work. We’re coming to compete. We’re going to leave it all out there.’ It’s a special time.”

Like every young player, Hicketts has benefitted from the experience of playing with veterans. Being able to play with veterans like Brian Lashoff, Dylan McIlrath and, more recently, Jonathan Ericsson has proven to be invaluable.

“Having veteran experience means a lot,” he said. “As a younger player, it helps to be playing with someone who knows what’s going on, someone who can play more of a defensive role. It also helps that you can pick their brain, whether it’s blocking shots on the penalty kill or

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 45

STAY CONNECTED. THEAHL.COM IS YOUR ONE-STOP SOURCE FOR ALL THE LATEST HIGHLIGHTS, NEWS, STATS, AND LIVE UPDATES FOR ALL 31 TEAMS

WATCH

TALK

SHOP Look like the pros with

Don’t miss a minute of

Join the conversation and

the action with live game

get behind-the-scenes

apparel and AHL

streaming at

access via AHL social media

memorabilia exclusively

TheAHL.com/AHLTV

@theAHL

at AHLStore.com & AHLAuthentic.com

46 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

TheAHL.com

h

ly

Hicketts signed a new two-year contract with Detroit this past summer.

making little plays to the middle of the ice. You try to be a sponge as much as you can.”

Hicketts now finds himself playing a similar role with the Red Wings’ youngest prospects.

“Now that I’m one of those older guys, I can play that role with (Moritz) Seider or (Gustav) Lindstrom,” he said. “If I can help those guys get to the next level while also helping myself get there, that’s what I’ll do. It’s all about paying it forward.”

Hicketts feels confident that his game has improved greatly during the past four years.

“I’ve learned how to play within our system,” he said. “When I get the chance to let my skill come out, I’m going to try to use it. That’s important not only for me but for the entire team.”

In his first 11 AHL games with the Griffins this season, Hicketts registered nine points, all assists.

“Everybody likes points,” he said. “I’ve learned that you’ve got to be defensively responsible first. You’ve got to make sure to take care of your end and make sure you take care of the puck, but when you can do that and not cheat for the sake of plays, the points can come.

“At the end of the day, pro hockey is tough.

It’s tough to get points in any league. So you’ve got to make sure that you win all the battles in your D-zone so you can spend more time in the O-zone. When you’re playing like that, the puck finds you, you get points, and everybody is happy.”

Hicketts is excited about what the Griffins can accomplish as a team this year.

“We have a lot of raw skill,” he said. “We have a lot of young guys and we need to learn how to play together. We have to learn how to distribute the puck, how to use our linemates and how to play like a team consistently, night after night. When we can do that from the drop of the puck to the last buzzer, we’ll find that we can win games.”

Hicketts continues to look at every game as an audition for his future.

“Every game you want to be the best player on the ice,” he said. “Of course, it’s not going to happen a lot of nights, but as long as you can come off the ice at the end of the night and say that you did your job and you played your best, that’s all you can do.”

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 47

WE ARE A

CREATIVE AGENCY About Us Grand Rapids Graphix is the leading solution for custom apparel and promotional merchandise, serving Michigan for over a decade. Grand Rapids Graphix (GRX)

specializes in screen printing, embroidery, signage and promotional merchandise with a high standard of

excellence in quality, speed of delivery and pricing. GRX is proud to be locally owned and operated.

Screen Printing

Embroidery

Promotional Items

Even FASTER Turnaround Times All custom orders using your artwork are now printed in 7 days or less!

GrandRapidsGraphix.com

Rich@teamGRX.com

616.723.3826

R

es

work

ess!

26

Graffiti 2019-2020ai.pdf

1

10/28/19

2:51 PM

3% Max Checking, a little extra for life’s little extras.

3.00% APY* Max Checking pays you up to $450 extra per year.

That’s like 65 extra hot dogs with extra mustard of course.

And with no minimum balance requirements, fees, and free access to over 55,000 free ATMs worldwide, that extra cash will grow faster than a concession line at the game.

LMCU.org • (616) 242-9790 *APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Rate as of 10/1/19 and subject to change after account opening. $5 Membership required. No minimum balance required. Interest not paid on balances over $15,000. Fees may reduce earnings. To earn 3.00% APY, some requirements apply. Federally insured by the NCUA.

EMERALD

SPAS & BILLIARDS Official Hot Tub supplier of the Grand Rapids Griffins 2276 28th St SE

w

Grand Rapids

w

616.974.0300 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 49

NO BARRIERS Story by Mark Newman

A pair of January events will highlight the opportunities for people with disabilities to play the game of hockey.

Hockey knows no borders, as the game draws players from around the globe at all levels, with dozens of countries represented just among the ranks of players in the National Hockey League, AHL and ECHL. But for those outside of the pros, there can be significant barriers to playing the sport due to a range of financial, social and physical factors.

Fortunately, hockey also offers opportunities for people with disabilities of all types.

The Griffins will showcase the inclusiveness of the game during the weekend of Jan. 25-26, with two events designed to create greater awareness of the possibilities to play hockey that might surprise some people.

On Saturday, Jan. 25, the Griffins will host Hockey Without Barriers Night, a special celebration of the game that will highlight the different opportunities for people with various disabilities to enjoy playing the sport.

Tryson Smallegan Griffins Youth Foundation 50 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

West Michigan Special Hockey Association

“The whole point of Hockey Without Barriers Night is to introduce to the people of West Michigan the idea that you can be a part of the sport no matter your disability,” said Brandon Nelson, director of game presentation for the Griffins. “There are many different avenues for people to experience the game of hockey.”

During the two intermissions, the Griffins organization will feature short on-ice contests by the Grand Rapids Sled Wings, a team of sled hockey athletes with physical disabilities, and the West Michigan Special Hockey Association, an amateur-level ice hockey program for children and young adults with Down Syndrome, Autism or other developmental disabilities.

“We want to bring greater awareness to the fact that there are virtually no barriers to the game of hockey that can’t be overcome,” Nelson said.

“Our goal as an organization is to facilitate the connections with potential players, coaches and volunteers to these programs.”

Kicking off the evening will be a ceremonial puck drop by Tim Kane, the captain of the U.S. Blind Hockey Team and prime mover of the Griffins’ Try Blind Hockey event on Sunday, Jan. 26 at Griff ’s IceHouse at Belknap Park, located at 30 Coldbrook NE in Grand Rapids.

Visually impaired persons of all ages from across Michigan and beyond are invited to try blind hockey for free at the inaugural event hosted by the Griffins Youth Foundation and the Griffins.

All equipment will be provided, and onice guides – including Griffins coaches and former players – will be present to assist participants. Online registration by Dec. 16, 2019 is encouraged, although registrations will be accepted until the event is full. Information and registration are available at griffinshockey.com/ tryblindhockey.

Blind hockey is the same exhilarating, fastpaced sport as ice hockey with only one main

Taggart VanderMolen Grand Rapids Sled Wings

difference – all of the players are legally blind.

The sport features a puck that makes noise and is much larger and heavier than a traditional puck.

Kane, an athletic trainer from Grandville, Mich., who is legally blind due to a juvenile degenerative condition, said blind hockey is relatively new to the U.S., although the sport has been enjoyed in Canada in various forms for nearly 50 years.

He was unfamiliar with the potential for visually impaired persons to play hockey until his mom emailed him during the last Winter Olympics. Excited by the possibility, he got the blessing of his wife to audition for the national team – the couple’s son was only six months old at the time – and Kane not only earned a spot but eventually became captain of the sightless squad.

“Sports did so much for me growing up, whether it was building confidence or learning to deal with the adversity you face when you lose your vision at 15,” Kane said. “It was exciting to learn there was an opportunity to play the sport I loved so much when I was younger.”

Blind hockey is the newest and one of the fasted growing disabled disciplines – the first American to play the sport took part in a Canadian blind hockey tournament in 2013.

Today there are programs in about a dozen cities across the country, including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis.

“As much as the sport of hockey is loved in Michigan, we want to get a program growing here,” Kane said. “Our goal is to make blind hockey as successful here as it is in other places.

We want people to see that hockey really is for everyone.”

Kane said the puck, which is roughly three times the size of a standard puck, is hollow metal and filled with ball bearings. “It rattles when it goes around the ice, so players with little or no vision have the ability to track its movement on the ice,” he said.

Goaltenders typically have less than one percent vision and must wear a blindfold.

Considering the size and weight of the puck, they truly are fearless. Forwards generally have greater sight while defenders have less.

Blind hockey also features a net that is one foot shorter (6-by-3 rather than 6-by-4). “One of the reasons is to encourage shooters to keep their shots down, the other is to give goalies a little more advantage,” he said.

The action is fast-paced, like traditional hockey. “Every game has its challenges and players learn to adapt,” said Kane, who is passionate about the possibilities of growing the sport.

“The game has come a long way from the time when people were playing with tin cans filled with nuts and bolts up in Canada,” he said. “In the U.S., it’s a very young sport and definitely has room to grow.”

Tim Kane – U.S. Blind Hockey Team

Kane said the current U.S. Blind Hockey Team roster features 14 skaters and two goalies, ranging in age from 15 to the mid-60s. He is hopeful that the Jan. 25-26 events will attract more attention to the sport.

“Learn to skate programs are always enjoyable, so imagine now a kid playing a sport that he or she never thought would be possible,” Kane said.

“It’s a lot of fun to see people get out on the ice for the first time.”

Kane is thankful that more and more groups are providing options for people to enjoy hockey.

“It’s exciting that organizations are creating these opportunities for people with impairments,” Kane said. “It’s especially exciting for people like myself who enjoyed the game when they were younger and then seemingly lost the ability to play.

“It’s incredibly cool to have the chance to compete again.”

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 51

Story and photos by Mark Newman

SPRINGBOARD TO ‘THE SHOW’

Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill looks back on his years in the AHL as invaluable time spent honing his craft.

Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill went straight to the NHL from the college ranks after his predecessor in Detroit, Mike Babcock, plucked him from Western Michigan University, where he had been the head coach of the Broncos during the 2010-11 season.

Blashill became an assistant coach for the Wings, a position that he had held for 10 years between Ferris State University and Miami University (Ohio). His head coaching experience was limited to the USHL’s Indiana Ice during two seasons, winning the league championship in 2009.

So when the Red Wings organization tabbed him to become head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2012, Blashill embraced the opportunity.

“When I looked around the NHL, almost all of the coaches had worked in the American League at some point,” he said. “When I was offered the opportunity to go to G.R. after my first year as an assistant in Detroit, it was a no-brainer. For me, it was a decision that really paid off.”

From his perspective, any time spent in the AHL is invaluable, whether one is a coach or a player.

“I think the American League is one of the best training grounds for coaches anywhere,” Blashill said. “Although they are not exactly alike, there are so many similarities with the National Hockey League, from dealing with NHL general managers to working with NHL prospects.”

His first year in Detroit was also his first year in pro hockey, so Blashill admits that he was unsure what kind of experience he was going to encounter in Grand Rapids when he took over the Griffins’ head coaching duties from Curt Fraser, who had accepted an assistant coaching position with the NHL’s Dallas Stars.

“I honestly didn’t know what to expect,” he said.

“I felt I had a good base of experience to draw upon, but I didn’t know what level of hockey to expect. I certainly didn’t know how difficult three games in three nights could be, so in some sense, I 52 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

had to learn as I was going.

“In the end, the experience was awesome. You play tons of games in really tough environments, not just from a building standpoint but also from a travel standpoint. You have to learn how to manage everything, from managing your practice time to maximizing your players’ abilities, all of which is similar to what you do in the NHL.” The Griffins captured their first Calder Cup championship during Blashill’s first year behind the bench.

“Winning the first year didn’t make me think it was easy. I knew how hard it was,” he said. “We certainly had some things go our way during that run and that’s what has to happen sometimes.

The league is so close with so many teams having a chance to win that sometimes things have to go your way. I knew the challenge to win was great.”

That viewpoint was underscored during the next two seasons following the successful run to the title. The Griffins lost to the eventual Calder Cup champion Texas Stars in the Western Conference Semifinals in 2014, then lost to the Utica Comets in the Western Conference Finals in 2015.

“I have incredible respect for the league, whether you’re talking about the coaches or the players,” he said. “There’s an unbelievable amount of sacrifice necessary to win in the league.”

Blashill forged his reputation for working with young talent during his three years in Grand Rapids, helping develop players like Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Luke Glendening and Petr Mrazek.

“Teaching is certainly important in the AHL,” he said. “It’s why NHL teams invest money in the American League to help players develop to the very best of their abilities, so they can ultimately become future NHL players and help their NHL club.”

Of course, getting the most of your players

Blash his fi

wman

D W’

years t.

Blashill won a Calder Cup championship during his first season behind the Griffins’ bench.

is important at any level, and the AHL is no exception.

“It’s critical to help your players to become the best they can be and that’s something that I certainly don’t think is exclusive to the AHL or NHL,” he said. “There are lots of ways to maximize their abilities, whether it’s practice, skills sessions or just holding them accountable.

When they do something right, you give them ice time. When they don’t, they lose ice time.”

Bench management skills are especially relevant in the AHL, where roster moves can become almost daily occurrences.

“The one thing you learn is that you never know what your lineup will look like from one night to the next,” he said. “There are days when you get someone called up and you learn to roll with the punches.

“You learn that you have to adapt. You can’t complain or whine about it because it doesn’t do any good. You have to find ways to win with the group that you have, regardless of what happens.

That lesson has served me well, not only in Detroit but also while coaching the U.S. National Team in tournaments.

“In my second year in the AHL, Detroit had a ton of injuries so we had a lot of people called up,

but we didn’t look around and make excuses.

We just tried to find ways to win. Trying to find ways to win serves any coach well at any level.”

During his time in Grand Rapids, Blashill learned the value of veterans in not only providing leadership but also in mentoring those young prospects who can benefit from being shown the right way to play.

“I was very lucky during my time in the AHL to have veterans like Jeff Hoggan, Nathan Paetsch, Brennan Evans and Triston Grant.

Those guys were excellent at helping our young players be the very best they could be.

“They were veterans who weren’t worried about the young guys taking their jobs.

Certainly, they still wanted to play in the NHL, but they did an unbelievable job of showing what it takes to win. Having the right leaders in your room is a critical part of an organization’s long-term success.

“Veterans, of course, are important in the NHL, too. What is unique in the AHL is that you have young prospects who need to be mentored by veteran players who are are not only okay with young prospects enjoying success but who, in fact, encourage it.”

Blashill started his fifth season as head coach of the Red Wings this fall.

Obviously, there are other differences between the AHL and NHL. “The game is the game and managing people is the same at every level,” he said. “One of the biggest differences is the schedule. Even though the NHL is only six more games, the schedule is more relentless. In the American League, it’s more binge hockey. You often play three games in three nights with some time to practice. In the NHL, you are often playing every other night.

“In the NHL, you don’t get as much time to practice as you’d like and that’s been a learning experience for me. Certainly managing all your different thoughts about your team is something you have to learn as well.

“In the NHL, you have to be really convicted in what you believe. You still want to listen and learn, but you don’t really change your fundamental beliefs. Even so, you better adapt and get better, so there’s a fine line there.”

Blashill believes the AHL offers coaches the chance to hone their head coaching techniques.

“The league offers coaches the opportunity to think outside of the box, to try new ideas, because you’re not under the same microscope as when you’re in the NHL,” he said. “It’s a huge advantage when you’re able to try new things. When you get

Blashill won the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL’s most outstanding coach in 2013-14, his second season in Grand Rapids.

Blashill is working with a changing roster as the Red Wings rebuild their team.

to the NHL, you better know the way you want to play. If you’re doing trial and error at the NHL level, it’s tough to win.”

Blashill insists that prospects should look at their time in the AHL as the best thing for their development.

“The one mistake many young players make when they go to the AHL is they think it’s going to be easy and it’s not at all,” he said. “It’s super hard and I think that causes a lot of guys to struggle, but I think that struggle is a great thing in the end if they can keep their head above water.

If they can keep improving, they’ll be way more prepared mentally to have success in the NHL.” One of the benefits of the AHL is that it allows players to learn from their mistakes far from the glare of the National Hockey League.

“There is no spotlight like the NHL,” he said.

“It’s the biggest spotlight, for sure, and there’s a learning process for coaches and players alike. A little less spotlight allows for players to develop without the every-single-day pressure that they would face in the NHL, especially when they’re not ready to be real impact players.”

Blashill has no problem with keeping a player in the AHL until they’re ready to perform up to NHL standards.

as the

nt NHL

ke ng r

ing water. ore L.” ows the

id. a e. A op ey ’re

yer to

“I think both Ken Holland and Steve Yzerman subscribe to the belief that it’s better not to put young players on rollercoasters where they’re up and down. Sometimes it’s unavoidable and sometimes you get to the point where you feel that a player can manage that emotionally. With most young players, however, you’re better off leaving them in one spot until they’re ready to succeed at the next level.

“If guys play in the NHL too early and they struggle, it can really rock their confidence. One of the best things that can happen is for them to play in the AHL and even if they struggle, they find a way to build their confidence so when they come to Detroit, they’ve gone through the ups and downs a little bit so they can handle the tough times that almost every player will face.

“The best way to know when a player is ready is when they’re having great success at the level where they are playing. It’s rare to find a guy who struggles in the AHL and then enjoys great success in the NHL. The goal should be to prove you’re a great player in the AHL and then come up and be ready to be an impact player in the NHL.” How much time should a player need in the AHL? Invariably, it all depends, according to Blashill.

“There’s no set timetable for a player,” he said.

“Sometimes it depends upon the opportunities that are available in the NHL for your particular position. Sometimes it depends upon the particular player’s maturity, both as a person and as a player.

The more trustful you are as a player, the quicker you can play in the NHL. “Everybody is ready at a different rate. Not everyone is going to grow at the same pace. We – as coaches, as management, as fans – have to be okay with that. We have to understand that everyone has their own path and it’s important that we allow each player to take that path.”

It’s important that the organization practices patience when it comes to the development of its prospects in the AHL. Teams should avoid the temptation to sacrifice long-term goals for shortterm success.

“If guys are ready, they’re ready. If they’re not, they’re not,” Blashill said. “If we need a scoring left winger, for example, and we have a young player who’s not ready, you can’t rush things. By forcing it, you might take a minor step ahead but could hurt the player in the long term. We have to make sure that we do what’s best for our players. I’m not sure every player always understands that.

“At the end of the day, we’re looking out for their long-term development. We want them to be the very best players they can be long-term. That might mean spending more time in the AHL than they would like. They might not understand that it’s the right thing for their careers now, but ultimately they’ll look back and understand it.”

Promotions from the AHL to the NHL, it should be noted, are not determined by numbers alone.

“Success, in no fashion, is completely determined by statistics,” Blashill said. “We’re interested in developing winning hockey players.

Certainly, goals and assists are a big part of any team’s success. You have to make plays and you have to score, but if you’re getting points by playing the wrong way and playing what I would call losing hockey by cheating to get points and not playing good defense, you won’t help us win.

We’re looking for guys who want to win. There’s a huge difference.”

One of the best ways for players to learn to win is by participating in the playoffs.

“One of the great things that the AHL can provide is the opportunity to go through the Calder Cup Playoffs,” he said. “Players get the chance to learn the level of sacrifice necessary and understand the level of commitment it takes while developing the ability to handle the emotional rollercoaster of a playoff run. It’s all about learning to be a winning player.”

Blashill stresses that players need to learn the importance of continuing to work hard every day, regardless of whether they happen to be in the AHL or NHL. “Certainly one of the messages is to control what you can control and that’s your play,” he said. “You don’t have to like the decision to play in the AHL, but you don’t make the decision, so don’t spend two seconds worrying about it. Spend time worrying about whether you’re playing good hockey. The best way to end up where you want to be, which is the NHL, is to play great hockey.”

Ultimately, the AHL can provide a solid foundation for both coaches and players alike. “I wouldn’t have wanted to coach in the NHL without first having spent some time in the AHL,” Blashill said. “My years in the league provided a huge resource for me to rely upon as I’ve coached in the NHL.” Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 55

FATHER KNOWS BEST As a Griffins assistant coach, Todd Krygier draws on his experience as a former player – and dedicated dad – to provide encouragement and support to the Red Wings’ prospects.

Story and photos by Mark Newman

56 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Being a coach is not Krygier is in his altogether different first season as an from being a father. assistant coach Just ask Todd with the Griffins.

Krygier, who joined the Griffins’ staff following three years at Western Michigan University as an assistant, three years with the Muskegon Lumberjacks as head coach and, perhaps most significantly, after helping raise five Division I athletes at home.

His youngest, identical twins Cole and Christian, are currently sophomore hockey players at Michigan State University, following in the footsteps of their older brother Brock, who played with the Spartans from 2013-15 before finishing his college career at Arizona State.

Daughter Grace is a junior soccer player at the University of Wisconsin while her sister Natalie played three years of soccer at the University of Iowa after one season at the University of Connecticut, her father’s alma mater.

One could debate whether to credit nature or nurture for the Krygier family’s good fortune, but he believes that it was ultimately up to the kids to accomplish whatever they were able to achieve. He and his wife Kim could provide words of advice and encouragement, but the kids had to do the work.

“My biggest thing was I wanted them to become great people with a great work ethic,” he said. “Sports can provide a microcosm to learn the lessons of life. My goal was for them to be better prepared for life when they were finished playing their sport.

“We had the expectation that they would work hard no matter what they were doing.

Coming from a professional perspective, I knew how much work it can take – how much focus, determination and perseverance. As parents, we can’t do their work, but we could provide support and guidance.”

Krygier scored 100 goals in an NHL career that spanned 543 games with Hartford,

Washington and Anaheim. His professional journey started in the AHL after four years at Connecticut and finished in the IHL with the Orlando Solar Bears.

“One of the benefits of having played in the minors, making the NHL, and then finishing back in the minors, you learn a lot about yourself in the process,” he said.

“If I could help my kids learn their lessons a little easier than I had to learn mine, then I was doing my job as a coach.”

It was his boys who had pulled him back into hockey and into coaching.

Krygier tore his rotator cuff during his final season (1999-00), and a difficult comeback at age 35, along with limited professional options and a growing family, led him to decide to retire from the game.

“My wife had twins a day or two after our season ended, which meant we had five kids age 7 and under,” Krygier recalled. “I knew I wasn’t going to play in the NHL, but I had opportunities to play in the minors or Europe. It came down to a family values decision. I knew inevitably I was going to have to find a career after hockey, so that became my focus.”

Krygier opened his own State Farm Insurance agency in Novi, where he had bought a home a couple of years earlier because his parents lived there. He eventually spent seven seasons (2006-13) as head coach at Novi High School, compiling a 102-51-15 mark. He was named MHSHCA Division I Coach of the Year in 2011 after leading Novi to the school’s first hockey state championship.

He posted a winning record in all three seasons with the USHL’s Lumberjacks (2013-16) before accepting an assistant coaching position under Andy Murray, who had been hired by the Broncos after Jeff Blashill left to join Mike Babcock’s Detroit Red Wings staff as an assistant coach in 2011.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 57

“I wish I could have coached before I became a player,” said Krygier. “I’ve learned so much while coaching. I feel like I could have been a much better player because I understand the game so much better now. If you could somehow reverse coaching and playing, I feel like I would have had a better career. That’s one of the things that motivates me to coach now.”

After splitting the past six years between Muskegon and Kalamazoo, he seemed destined to find his way to Grand Rapids. His job with the Griffins is his first coaching position in the pro ranks.

“For me, this was the next step after having coached at all the other levels, from youth hockey to juniors to college,” he said. “I’m thrilled to be here and I’m excited to work with the Red Wings’ prospects and help the Detroit organization.”

Ironically, his greatest memory in the NHL came against the Red Wings. He played in the 1998 Stanley Cup Final as a member of the Washington Capitals.

“It was a thrill to play against that team and they deserved to win,” he said. “You can’t beat playing in the Stanley Cup Final. And now

here I am, working for the organization that I got beat by. As they say, ‘if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.’ What a privilege I have now to work in the Red Wings organization.”

Although Washington was swept in four games by Detroit, Krygier said that he will never forget the 1997-98 season and how close the Capitals came to capturing hockey’s Holy Grail.

“We had a really good team, too,” he said. “We were considered overachievers to get there, and the experience changed my outlook on what it takes to win. I wish I had managed to have had that experience earlier in my career. I would have become a lot better player.

“You realize that it’s about the team. It’s about finding a role on a team and being the best you possibly can be in that role. You’re not trying to be the superstar, you’re not trying to be the goal scorer, you’re not trying to be what you think you should be or want to be.

“Ultimately, it’s about being the guy who adds value every shift for the good of the team. Look at the Wings and guys like (Kirk) Maltby or (Kris) Draper. They were guys who grasped their roles on the team and were absolutely fantastic.

Krygier shook hands with Steve Yzerman after the Red Wings swept the Washington Capitals in the 1998 Stanley Cup Final.

Photo credit: Getty Images

58 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Krygier joined the Griffins after three seasons as an assistant coach for Western Michigan University.

“I had every opportunity to become like Wayne Gretzky, Steve Yzerman or Mario Lemieux. I played on the power play, played on the penalty kill. I got a regular shift, but I couldn’t get the results that they did.

“That’s when you realize that you’ve got to grasp a role. You’ve got to become better at something and I learned that too late in my career, but it’s one of those things that motivates me to coach.”

Even though he says there are times when he wishes he could go back, Krygier harbors no regrets about his playing days.

“I enjoyed everywhere I played,” he said. “As a player, I would have loved the opportunity to have played for an Original Six team but it never happened. That’s why it’s so exciting for me to work for one now.”

Talking to Krygier, it sounds like he enjoys being behind the bench even more than he did playing.

“I love coaching,” he said. “As a parent with five kids, there are some similarities. You get these guys who want to be successful and become the best they can be and it’s the same with our kids.

You try to guide them and help them but at the end of the day, they’re the ones who have to get the job done.

“I can help facilitate the process and work with these players, but ultimately it has to come from their heart – their willingness to compete, their determination, their perseverance. That desire – that they’re not going to be denied – has to be inside them.”

Krygier hopes others can benefit from his experience.

“Having played in the AHL and IHL, having that experience at both the beginning and at the end of my career, helps me to understand what guys are going through,” he said. “My job is to help these guys through the process so we can win here while putting players into Detroit who can help the Red Wings become Stanley Cup contenders again.”

He feels fortunate to have joined the Griffins organization at a time when the Red Wings have stocked the team with several highly talented prospects possessing raw skill that only needs time to develop.

“It’s really exciting to join Ben’s staff and Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 59

be in a position to assist him in the process of helping mold these young guys to get them ready to be impactful in Detroit,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to work in a capacity where you can help players who want to be in the NHL.” Just because a prospect is a first-round draft pick doesn’t guarantee that player a spot in the NHL. “They have to understand that there’s so much more to it than hockey talent,” he said. “You have to have that work ethic. It’s not all about playing hockey. It’s the mental, physical, emotional aspects of the game, too. It’s grit, character and work ethic. What are you willing to do to sacrifice to get there? As coaches, we’re trying to help them understand what it takes.”

Krygier is more than happy to share stories of his days in the NHL. “Peter Bondra was a 50-goal scorer, one of the fastest skaters in the league, and I’ll never forget a practice with Jim Schoenfeld one year. It was one of the toughest practices I ever had – I was absolutely exhausted. As I was getting undressed, I saw Bondra taking off his jersey and shoulder pads and he had worn a 25-pound weight vest for that whole practice. Amazing.

“When I played with Ron Francis in Hartford, he was unbelievable on draws, one of the best.

You wondered how he did it and then you’d see him work on his quickness by having heavy pucks taped to his stick all the time. It’s those little things that can make a difference.”

Krygier likes to remind players that there are no shortcuts to success.

“You have to work for exactly what you get,” he said. “These guys have to understand that Detroit owes them nothing. The Wings give them the opportunity, but they’re called prospects for a reason. They have to turn themselves into players.

I’m here to help Ben facilitate that process, to help turn prospects into NHL players, but in the end it’s up to them.

“It’s not always talent that will get you there.

I’ve seen many players with talent. The minors are filled with highly talented players who will never play in the NHL. It’s the intangibles – the drive, the determination, the heart – that makes the difference. There’s that feeling of ‘this is what I’m meant to do and no one’s going to take it from me and I’m going to find a way to get it done.’

“If you want to get there, that’s what it takes.

You’ve got to make a difference.”

HOLLAND LITHO TRIPLE THREAT

DIGITAL. OFFSET. DIRECT MAIL.

Founded in 1957, HLPS has developed into a leading provider of superior print products and marketing materials.

800.652.6567 60 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

www.hollandlitho.com

ord, . ee ucks hings

Krygier has an array of responsibilities in his new role, including overseeing the Griffins’ power play.

re

,” he troit e

yers. help nd

e. s are ver e,

I’m m me

s.

m Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 61

MICHEL PICARD

All-Tim Active Single 2018-1

All-Tim Active Single 2018-1

Apps are for Apps are for

The Office!

The Office!

All-Tim Active Single 2018-1

MOS-XEROX.COM MOS-XEROX.COM

All-Tim

Single

2018-

All-Tim

Single

2018-

All-Tim

Single

2018-

Michel Picard

Chris Terry

GAMES PLAYED Travis Richards Brian Lashoff (2nd) 5 players tied 3 players tied GOALS Michel Picard Matt Puempel (20th) Donald MacLean (2005-06) Chris Terry ASSISTS Michel Picard Brian Lashoff (18th) Jiri Hudler (2005-06) Carter Camper

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2018-19 All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2018-19 All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2018-19

Martin Prusek

655 467 *82 72

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2018-19

158 54 *56 29

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2018-19

222 80 60 33

All-Time Active Leader Single-Season 2018-19

POINTS Michel Picard Matt Puempel (T24th) Michel Picard (1996-97) Chris Terry PLUS/MINUS Travis Richards Turner Elson/Brian Lashoff (T28th) Ivan Ciernik (2000-01) Vili Saarijarvi PENALTY MINUTES Darryl Bootland Dylan McIlrath (19th) Darryl Bootland (2005-06) Dylan McIlrath

380 121 101 61 +131 +28 *+41 +19 1,164 274 390 98

* = Led League

RECORDBOOK ANDLEADERS Through Nov. 14, 2019

Dylan McIlrath

Brian Lashoff

Joey MacDonald

GOALIE GAMES PLAYED

SHUTOUTS

All-Time

Tom McCollum

263

All-Time

Joey MacDonald

Single-Season

Joey MacDonald (2004-05)

*66

Single-Season

6 players tied

6

Harri Sateri GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE

40

2018-19

Patrik Rybar SAVES

2

2018-19

20

All-Time

Martin Prusek

1.83

All-Time

Tom McCollum

6,640

Single-Season

Martin Prusek (2001-02)

*1.83

Single-Season

Joey MacDonald (2004-05)

1,785

2018-19

Patrik Rybar WINS

2.49

2018-19

Harri Sateri SAVE PERCENTAGE

996

All-Time

Tom McCollum

123

All-Time

Martin Prusek

0.930

Single-Season

Joey MacDonald (2004-05)

34

Single-Season

Joey MacDonald (2003-04)

0.936

Mike Fountain (2000-01)

*34

2018-19

Patrik Rybar

0.908

2018-19

Harri Sateri

22

* = Led League

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 63

"Olivia Grace & Company is hands

"Olivia Grace & Company is hands "Olivia "Olivia Grace & Company is hands Gra down the highest quality character down thedown highest quality character the highest quality character down the h entertainment company in the Nation. entertainment company in the entertainment company inentertainmen theNation.

Nation.

"Olivia Grace & Company is hands If highest you want theme park standards inIf you want down the character Ifquality you want theme park standards in If you want theme park standards in your hometown, there really is no other entertainment company in the Nation. your hometown, there really your is no hometow other your hometown, therepenny really is no other option. Worth every option. Worth every pennyoption. and some." option.

Worth every penny If you want theme parkthen standards in some." and then an your hometown, there really is no other and then some." option. Worth every penny @OliviaGraceAndCompany @OliviaGraceAndCompany @Oliv and then some."

Olivia Grace & Company Olivia Grace & Company Olivia @OliviaGraceAndCompany @OliviaGraceAndCompany

Olivia Grace & Company

poster for $20 off your next OliviaMention Grace this & Mention Company this poster for $20 off your Mention next thi

private or corporate event booking. private or corporate event booking. private o

poster for $20 off your next Mention thisMention poster for this $20 off your next As Seen On: As Seen On: booking. private or corporate booking. privateevent or corporate event

As Seen On:

As Seen On:

ds "Olivia Grace & Company is hands er down the highest quality character ion. entertainment company in the Nation.

s inIf you want theme park standards in other your hometown, there really is no other

xt

option. Worth every penny and then some."

@OliviaGraceAndCompany Olivia Grace & Company

Mention this poster for $20 off your next private or corporate event booking.

As Seen On:

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

65

Y

FACE-OFF FLAVOR IN HOCKEYTOWN WEST Indulge in authentic global classics and hand-crafted cocktails in the kitchen of the world’s first celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck. Made with the best available, locally sourced ingredients, The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck promises a relaxed and welcoming dining environment inside the Amway Grand Plaza with breakaway flavors in your neighborhood.

For reservations visit opentable.com

YES, THEY’RE FUN TO DRIVE!!

HIRING MOTORCOACH DRIVERS NOW 616-696-0022

COMPASSCOACH.COM

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 67

GRIFFINS ALL-STARS

2019

2016

2019 AHL All-Star Chris Terry

2015

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

68 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

2018

Matt Puempel

2018

Matt Lorito

2014

2013

Chad Billins

2018-19 2017-18 2016-17 2015-16 2014-15 2013-14 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08

A C

Teemu Pulkkinen

Jeff oggan and Xavier Ouellet

2013

JANUARY 26-27

Alexey Marchenko

2013

Petr Mrazek

2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 2000-01 1999-00 1998-99 1997-98 1996-97

Gustav Nyquist

Derek Meech, Kip Miller (captain) Valtteri Filppula, Jiri Hudler, Donald MacLean Niklas Kronwall, Joey MacDonald Jiri Hudler, Niklas Kronwall, Travis Richards (captain), Nathan Robinson Marc Lamothe, Mark Mowers 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 Robert Petrovicky, Maxim Spiridonov Ian Gordon, Kerry Huffman, ichel Picard Jeff elson, Michel Picard, Pokey Reddick

R0921

R092124

binson

livy,

A healthier future for our kids?

Count on it.

Confidence comes with every card.ÂŽ

Count on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network to teach the next generation the importance of building healthy futures. We believe that eating right and staying active will help children build healthy habits that last a lifetime. Discover how we’re impacting future generations at ahealthiermichigan.org.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

R092124

R092124_AD_GriffitiProgram.indd 1

9/13/19 11:14 AM

Integrity • Quality • Solutions

1-800-444-6430

www.powellrelocationgroup.com

HOME & OFFICE RELOCATIONS

• LOCAL • STATEWIDE • NATIONWIDE • WORLDWIDE

www.powellrelocationgroup.com

70 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

*A m re

Graffiti 2018-2019.pdf

1

9/13/18

Our 3% Max Checking account offers one of the best rates you can find anywhere! Call, click or visit us today! Anyone can join!

4:24 PM

*

LMCU.org • (800 or 616) 242-9790 *APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Rate as of 9/1/18 and subject to change after account opening. Membership required. No minimum balance required. Interest not paid on balances over $15,000. Fees may reduce earnings. To earn 3% APY, some requirements apply. Federally insured by the NCUA.

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 71

Celebrating 10 YEARS as the Griffins Trusted Catering Partner YoChef’s Catering Company will take care of all the details from preparation to clean up.

Our experience and reliability ensure that your event will be a hit!

• Corporate Breakfast Meetings • Express Business Lunches • Full Service Weddings • Graduations • Food Truck Available

PHPA AD_2015 8.5” x 5.5”

VISIT PHPA.com

Your source for hockey news, player information, and PHPA merchandise.

Find us at @thephpa Sign up for our Insider Newsletter at:

www.phpa.com/newsletter PROUD TO REPRESENT AHL AND ECHL PLAYERS

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 disqualifi ation penalty for excessive or additional misbehavior on the ice.

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

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

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

ROUGHING Called for engaging in fisti uff or shoving.

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

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

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

SLASHING Striking an opposing player with the stick.

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

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

SPEARING Called for using the stick like a spear.

ELBOWING 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 offsid .

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 73

A

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

2019-20 AHL TEAM LANDSCAPE

74 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Bakersfield Condors • Belleville Senators • Binghamton Devils • Bridgeport Sound Tigers • Charlotte Checkers

DO

s

AN EMAIL NEWSLETTER THAT YOU’LL ACTUALLY READ

Subscribe to Griffins Nation to catch every detail this season griffinshockey.com/griffins-nation

DOWNLOAD THE GRIFFINS APP

Ticket Discounts

News & Live Score Updates Game Night Experiences

Since their inception

chalice in six of the last 12

in 1996, the Griffins have sent 1

years and in eight of the last 15

players to the National Hockey

seasons. In chronological order,

League, 16 of whom have

here are the 22 goalies and 158

gone on to win the Stanley Cup. In fact, a Griffi alumnus has had his name 76 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

engraved on Lord Stanley’s

skaters who have worn an NHL sweater after playing for Grand Rapids, along with the dates of their NHL debuts/returns.

IT ALL

STARTS

HERE

15

der,

158

HL

and

s of

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 TORÂ 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 Bold = Played in the NHL this season (as of Nov. 19, 2019) Italics = Had name engraved on the Stanley Cup after playing for Grand Rapids All photos by Getty Images Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 77

Don’t miss any of the action this season! *All playoff games and when regular season conflicts arise.

LISTEN TO BOB KASER’S PLAY-BY-PLAY ON NEWSRADIO WOOD 106.9 FM / 1300 AM & STREAM THE ACTION ON IHEARTRADIO!

A Big Thanks To Our Radio Sponsors For Their Help In Bringing Griffins Hockey To You This Season

78 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

FI

o h

org

A (2012

(2013

D (201

(2014

(2016

(201

y

ON M O!

FIND THOSE NEEDLES!

KIDS PAGE

Choosing the right players through the NHL Entry Draft process is often compared to finding needles in a haystack. From the eight drafts held since 2012, a total of 18 players selected by the Detroit Red Wings have played for the Griffins at some point and remain within the organization. Find the last name of each of them by searching horizontally, vertically and diagonally, both forward and backward. HAVE FUN!

Andreas ATHANASIOU (2012, 4th round, 110th overall)

Filip LARSSON (2016, 6th round, 167th overall)

Moritz SEIDER (2019, 1st round, 6th overall)

Tyler BERTUZZI (2013, 2nd round, 58th overall)

Gustav LINDSTROM (2017, 2nd round, 38th overall)

Givani SMITH (2016, 2nd round, 46th overall)

Dennis CHOLOWSKI (2016, 1st round, 20th overall)

Anthony MANTHA (2013, 1st round, 20th overall)

Evgeny SVECHNIKOV (2015, 1st round, 19th overall)

Christoffer EHN (2014, 4th round, 106th overall)

Chase PEARSON (2015, 5th round, 140th overall)

Dominic TURGEON (2014, 3rd round, 63rd overall)

Filip HRONEK (2016, 2nd round, 53rd overall)

Michael RASMUSSEN (2017, 1st round, 9th overall)

Joe VELENO (2018, 1st round, 30th overall)

Dylan LARKIN (2014, 1st round, 15th overall)

Vili SAARIJARVI (2015, 3rd round, 73rd overall)

Filip ZADINA (2018, 1st round, 6th overall)

O S M P N A M D D S M I T H U

E P X U I E N A P I Z K P V I

O N E L E V S I N Z N G V Z U

X G E D I V B S D T T B O G O

N Y N S T Q D M U A H Q N N I

G T X M P R S Z J M Z A S V S

S V E C H N I K O V S C R N A

M O R T S D N I L H H A O B N

P L T L L H S Q R O J E R E A

L R A A E I Z O L I G D V R H

P E A R S O N O R R N M T T T

Y D Q K S E W A U Q C Q S U A

K I I I K S A T L H A J I Z O

E E F N K S O A H C B N T Z N

U S Q I W C G N S H N P B I D

Grand Rapids GRIFFINS 79

AN

PARTING SHOT

Julie Diekema captured this cute close-up of her 17-month-old grandson, Leo Hoesch, perusing the pages of the latest issue of Griffiti. w that’s a smart kid!

80 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS

Fox

T

Available at all Fox Motors Grand Rapids Locations

Proudly Serving West Michigan with 17+ brands

FoxMotors.com/Fox-Delivers.htm

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY © 2019 ANHEUSER-BUSCH, BUD LIGHT® BEER, ST. LOUIS, MO

Crisp.