never good. Thank God I Grand Rapids if he was “Hockey is all about quit, because I was not a not in the NHL made natural skateboarder.” his signing with Detroit confidence. Winning Renouf became an a no-brainer. definitely helps you out in unrestricted free agent “When you go to after last season. It meant other teams, you feel that regard. Winning a Calder like there are a lot of he could choose the organization where he you meet who have Cup shows that you’ve been guys felt he could make the the same fond memories most impact. to the peak of the AHL. You of GR,” he said. “For me, “I wanted to go to free everything started in know what to expect. And Grand Rapids. agency and see what was out there and find my “It starts with best opportunity,” he said. you know that you can play.” showing that you “As [an unrestricted free can be an everyday agent], you’re able to put yourself in the best AHLer and showing that you can be part of a position possible. Picking Detroit was a pretty winning team. From there, you just chip away. easy situation.” I think it’s a matter of being put in different He was already spending his summers in situations and improving during your time Michigan. His girlfriend, Kylee Scholten, whom in the AHL. Eventually, you gain more and he met while playing in Charlotte, was from more confidence. Charlevoix. “I already knew northern Michigan “Hockey is all about confidence. Winning from the Red Wings camps in Traverse City, so definitely helps you out in that regard. Winning I fell in love with the area. Spending summer a Calder Cup shows that you’ve been to the there is awesome.” peak of the AHL. You know what to expect. Renouf said the possibility of playing in And you know that you can play.” Renouf appeared in his first NHL game of the 2021-22 season on Nov. 24 in the Red Wings’ 4-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. Photo Credit: Dave Reginek
62 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
