2020-21 The Beacon - Issue #1 by Grand Rapids Griffins

THE

2020-21 GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

RAPIDS RETURN

DIGITAL PROGRAM ISSUE #1

2017 Calder Cup champion Kyle Criscuolo is back with the Griffins

Our reason for being? Your well-being. At Huntington, we know the business of banking is about moving money responsibly. But we also know that behind the numbers there are always people. Human lives. Our families, friends and neighbors. It’s an honor to be part of the lives that help our communities prosper. And for that privilege, we thank you.

CHICAGO

CLEVELAND

@ GR: Feb. 26 @ CHI: Feb. 5, Feb. 11, Feb. 28

• With the Milwaukee Admirals opting out of the 2020-21 season, the

Nashville Predators have instead sent their prospects 80 miles south, where the Wolves are beginning their first season as the primary affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. The Wolves, who were affiliated with Vegas from 2017-20, previously served as the farm team for St. Louis (2013-17), Vancouver (2011-13) and Atlanta (2001-11).

• Rocky Thompson, who led the franchise to the 2019 Calder Cup Finals as head coach, has been replaced by Ryan Warsofsky, who served as head coach of the Charlotte Checkers and many of the Wolves’ current players in 2019-20. Warsofsky, who was an assistant coach for the Checkers when they beat Chicago for the cup two seasons ago, steered Charlotte to a 34-22-5-0 mark and a third-place finish in the Atlantic Division last year.

ROCKFORD

@ GR: Feb. 20 @ CLE: Feb. 13

• Following a two-year foray into the North Division and Eastern Conference, •

the Monsters have been reunited with the Griffins in the Central Division thanks to the AHL’s five-division, COVID-induced realignment.

Mike Eaves begins his second campaign behind the Monsters’ bench, after piloting them to a 24-31-5-2 record and an eighth-place finish in the North Division last season.

• The Monsters welcome back their top two netminders from a season ago.

Veini Vehvilainen appeared in a team-high 33 games in 2019-20, posting a 10-18-4 record, a 2.76 goals against average, a 0.901 save percentage and three shutouts. Understudy Matiss Kivlenieks went 9-8-3 with a 2.96 GAA, a 0.904 save percentage and one shutout in 20 games.

• Chicago is one of three AHL teams that is serving two NHL clubs this season, • Cleveland’s offensive attack features center Ryan MacInnis, whose 30 joining Syracuse (Tampa Bay and Florida) and Utica (Vancouver and St. Louis). points (7-23—30) in 45 games ranked second on the club last season, and right wing Trey Fix-Wolansky, who tied for the Monsters’ lead in • The Wolves have a temporary home this season, forgoing Allstate Arena in favor of their training facility, the Triphahn Ice Arena in Hoffman Estates, which is located about a 25-minute drive northwest of their regular den.

2019-20 by scoring 12 goals as a rookie while contributing 14 assists to tie for fourth in team scoring.

THE BEACON IS A SPECIAL 2020-21 SEASON PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS, 130 W. FULTON ST., SUITE 111, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. ALL CONTENTS ©2021 GRAND

@ GR: March 13, March 16 @ RFD: Feb. 18, March 3, March 11

• One of the greatest players in Griffins franchise history, Derek King returns

for his third season as head coach of the IceHogs. He guided Rockford to a 29-30-2-2 mark and a fifth-place finish in the Central Division in 2019-20. King’s 203 regular season points rank fifth all time on the Griffins while his 41 playoff points are unmatched.

• Grand Rapids has not posted a winning record at the BMO Harris Bank Center in any season since 2016-17, going 3-7-2-3 in their 15 visits to Rockford over the last three seasons.

• The IceHogs’special teams units struggled mightily during the 2019-20 campaign, finishing last out of 31 teams in penalty killing (76.2%) and ranking 29th on the power play (11.4%).

• Defenseman Madison Bowey, who tallied an assist in his one-game debut

with the Griffins last season and played 70 games with the Red Wings over the last two years, signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 28 and was subsequently assigned to Rockford.

RAPIDS GRIFFINS. EDITED BY RANDY CLEVES. WRITTEN BY MARK NEWMAN AND RANDY CLEVES. PHOTOS BY MARK NEWMAN, SAM IANNAMICO, DETROIT RED WINGS AND GETTY IMAGES. GRAPHIC DESIGN BY JONATHAN GUINN.

INTRODUCING YOUR

2020-21 GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS A

RILEY BARBER Forward 6-0, 194 lbs. Born: 2/7/94 Pittsburgh, Pa.

KEVIN BOYLE Goaltender 6-1, 195 lbs. Born: 5/30/92 Manalapan, N.J.

DENNIS CHOLOWSKI Defenseman 6-1, 195 lbs. Born: 2/15/98 Langley, B.C.

KYLE CRISCUOLO Forward 5-9, 175 lbs. Born: 5/5/92 Southamptom, N.J.

PATRICK CURRY Forward 5-11, 187 lbs. Born: 1/9/96 Schaumburg, Ill.

CHARLE-EDOUARD D’ASTOUS Defenseman 6-2, 200 lbs. Born: 4/21/98 Rimouski, Que.

TORY DELLO Defenseman 6-0, 200 lbs. Born: 2/14/97 Lakewood, Ill.

TURNER ELSON Forward 6-0, 190 lbs. Born: 9/13/92 Edmonton, Alta.

KADEN FULCHER Goaltender 6-3, 182 lbs. Born: 9/23/98 Brigden, Ont.

JOE HICKETTS Defenseman 5-8, 175 lbs. Born: 5/4/96 Kamloops, B.C.

TARO HIROSE Forward 5-10, 162 lbs. Born: 6/30/96 Calgary, Alta.

MAX HUMITZ Forward 5-9, 175 lbs. Born: 7/8/95 Livonia, Mich.

BRIAN LASHOFF Defenseman 6-3, 215 lbs. Born: 7/16/90 Albany, N.Y.

GUSTAV LINDSTROM Defenseman 6-2, 187 lbs. Born: 10/20/98 Ostervala, Sweden

TROY LOGGINS Forward 5-10, 170 lbs. Born: 7/21/95 Huntington Beach, Calif.

JARID LUKOSEVICIUS Forward 5-10, 191 lbs. Born: 2/5/95 Squamish, B.C.

GREGOR MacLEOD Forward 6-0, 182 lbs. Born: 6/7/98 Dartmouth, N.S.

DYLAN McILRATH Defenseman 6-4, 235 lbs. Born: 4/20/92 Winnipeg, Man.

JARED McISAAC Defenseman 6-1, 195 lbs. Born: 3/27/00 Truro, N.S.

PAT NAGLE Goaltender 6-2, 200 lbs. Born: 9/21/87 Rochester, Mich.

CHASE PEARSON Forward 6-3, 205 lbs. Born: 8/23/97 Alpharetta, Ga.

CALVIN PICKARD Goaltender 6-1, 210 lbs. Born: 4/15/92 Moncton, N.B.

MICHAEL RASMUSSEN Forward 6-6, 203 lbs. Born: 4/17/99 Surrey, B.C.

DONOVAN SEBRANGO Defenseman 6-1, 190 lbs. Born: 1/12/02 Ottawa, Ont.

DOMINIK SHINE Forward 5-11, 180 lbs. Born: 4/18/93 Detroit, Mich.

TYLER SPEZIA Forward 5-10, 175 lbs. Born: 6/7/93 Clinton Township, Mich.

EVGENY SVECHNIKOV Forward 6-3, 205 lbs. Born: 10/31/96 Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia

DOMINIC TURGEON Forward 6-2, 203 lbs. Born: 2/25/96 Pointe-Claire, Que.

GRIFFINS HOCKEY OPERATIONS STAFF

RYAN MARTIN GENERAL MANAGER

BEN SIMON HEAD COACH

MATT MACDONALD ASST. COACH

TODD KRYGIER ASST. COACH

MIKE KNUBLE ASST. COACH

BRIAN MAHONEY-WILSON GOALTENDING DEVELOPMENT COACH

JOSH CHAPMAN ATHLETIC TRAINER

ANTHONY POLAZZO ASST. ATHLETIC TRAINER

BRAD THOMPSON EQUIPMENT MANAGER

CHARLIE KASER ASST. EQUIPMENT MGR.

MARCUS KINNEY STRENGTH/COND. COORDINATOR

Story by Mark Newman Much has changed since Kyle Criscuolo was a rookie center for the Griffins in the fall of 2016. Long before the world had been turned upside down by a pandemic, the South Jersey native was turning himself into a pro and building the kind of curriculum vitae that would serve him well during his hockey career. The Harvard graduate is wiser, if not smarter, for all that he has experienced since he left Grand Rapids to burnish his credentials as an aspiring NHL player. Now 28, Criscuolo may no longer be considered a prospect but he still envisions a future in the NHL, which is precisely the reason that he is back with the Griffins, hoping for another opportunity to prove himself. “When I had the opportunity to come back to Grand Rapids, I jumped at the chance,” he said. “It’s definitely a place you want to play, from the way the program is run, to the arena, to the fans. And every year the team is competitive, so it’s easy to come back because you want to play winning hockey.” Criscuolo could hardly have had a more memorable first season as a pro. He was the only player on the 2016-17 team to appear in all 76 games and he tallied 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) to rank ninth in team history among rookie scorers. Best of all, he was an important cog in the team’s playoff run, with five goals and four assists in 19 postseason games. He will always remember what it meant to defeat Syracuse in the Calder Cup Finals, helping secure the second AHL championship in five years for the city.

“We had a really special team that year,” Criscuolo said. “We had a lot of good veteran players who carried the load but also helped bring along the younger guys. We had a good rookie group as well. A lot of us played good minutes and filled important roles on the team. “You couldn’t ask for a better group of guys to guide you and help you along that first year.” Criscuolo will never forget the thrill of scoring the game-winning overtime goal to eliminate crosslake rival Milwaukee in the opening round of the playoffs. Not only did the goal clinch a hard-fought sweep, it also broke a personal 13-game streak without a goal. “Most people probably didn’t know it, but I had been on a goal drought for some time,” he said. “I hadn’t scored in quite a while.” Statistics don’t always tell the true tale. “Towards the end of the year, a lot of guys were going up to Detroit, so I was playing more minutes and getting a lot of opportunities, but I couldn’t seem to score,” he said. “When I was finally able to score the overtime winner against Milwaukee, it was a little bit of a relief.” Criscuolo, who played a total of 71 games during his last two years at Harvard, said he never felt like he was running out of gas, a topic that had been addressed by Griffins head coach Todd Nelson earlier in the year. “At the beginning of the season, Nelly took a couple of us college guys aside and told us that the playing pro hockey was a different animal. He said, ‘At some point in the year, you might

Criscuolo celebrated a Calder Cup championship as a Griffins rookie. hit a dry spell, but we’ll keep playing you, so just stick with it.’ “I felt like I was still playing well at the end of the season, but I couldn’t score. I don’t know if it was the long season or what it was. It was one of those things where I felt the chemistry with my linemates had been great all season long and, for some reason, I couldn’t find the back of the net.” The playoffs provided a reset. “When you look at the team we had, I think we were built for the playoffs,” he said. “When you play 76 games, guys understand that you have to pick your spots. In the playoffs, that kind of thinking goes out the window. Everything is 100 percent. “In the playoffs, every play matters. Every round is hard. The intensity is completely ramped up. And when you have the fans that we did at the Van, every play seemed like it was the most important. “With our fans cheering behind us, it gave us life. It helped us feel like the momentum was in our favor. It was an exciting finish to what was a great start to a pro career,” he said. With a Calder Cup now to his credit, Criscuolo sought to capitalize on the experience with a new contract.

“I wanted to play in the NHL and there were a lot of good prospects in Detroit, so I felt like I wanted to go somewhere where I had a better chance to play in the NHL,” he said. “As I saw it, Buffalo presented that opportunity.” He started the 2017-18 season with the Sabres’ affiliate in Rochester, where he saw a friendly face in defenseman Nathan Paetsch, the former Griffins captain who was back in the Buffalo organization for the third time in his career. “He certainly made my transition from Grand Rapids to Rochester an easy one,” Criscuolo said. “I went to Rochester early and hung out at his house for a while. He was super supportive and super excited for me.” If there was any doubt that going to the Sabres organization was the right move, Criscuolo set right out to disprove any naysayers. He had a share of the team scoring lead with 11 points (5-6–11) in 14 games with Rochester when he got word that he had graduated to the NHL. He barely could contain his excitement when he found out that he would be facing the Red Wings in his NHL debut. He played his first NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on Nov. 17, 2017. 5

is I had a great opportunity and I felt like I was right there. Things were falling into place. But sometimes that’s the way it goes.” Sabres coach Phil Housley lauded the grit of his young center in an interview the next day. “I thought he played a really solid game and brought his speed,” Housley told the Times-Herald. “He’s one of those guys that goes to the tough areas. He took that hit. It’s unfortunate for him, it’s unfortunate for us moving forward.” What was most unfortunate is that the incident started a stretch of bad luck for Criscuolo, who would battle injuries for the better part of his next season in Rochester. “It was a weird year,” he said. “I could never stay healthy. And then, after getting injured early, I felt like I was bouncing around, trying to find my role. It was a tough season overall, but it happens.”

Criscuolo signed a one-year deal to return to the Red Wings organization last October.

“You couldn’t have drawn it up any better,” he said. “During warm-ups, I obviously knew a lot of guys on the other side, so that put my mind to ease a little. I wasn’t as nervous as I could have been. And then I played against Lash (Brian Lashoff) on my first shift, which was pretty cool.” If there was one particularly memorable moment in the game, it was taking a draw with Henrik Zetterberg. “Going into a faceoff with Zetterberg was one of those moments that I’ll always remember,” he said. “He was such a great player, a future Hall of Famer who meant so much to the Red Wings.” So who won the draw? “I beat him – clean! I don’t think he tried too hard. It was a neutral zone faceoff, so there was not a lot riding on it, except for me, there was. “ Two weeks later, Criscuolo had another equally enduring encounter. The opponent was the Pittsburgh Penguins and this time he was in the faceoff circle with one Sidney Crosby. “I took a couple of faceoffs against Crosby, but those weren’t in the neutral zone, so he beat me pretty good,” he said. 6

Criscuolo did his best to contribute where he could, drawing on his experience as the first two-time captain at Harvard in 92 years. He wore an “A” on his Amerks jersey as an alternate captain during both seasons in Rochester.

The other player who really made an impression on Criscuolo was Evgeni Malkin, the two-time winner of the Art Ross Trophy winner as the league’s top scorer. “Just to see just how big that guy is, how skilled he is, and how well he skates was something,” he said, “one of those guys who was fun to play against in real life.” Criscuolo saw action in eight games during his first NHL stint. “When I went back to Rochester, I felt like I picked up where I left off,” he said. “And when I got a second opportunity (later in the season), I was really excited because I felt more comfortable.” Getting to play in the NHL provided a huge boost in confidence. “The first time you’re up, you feel a little nervous and you feel like you’re not playing up to your full potential,” he said. “The second time, you feel like you belong. Unfortunately, I got hurt in the second period of my first game back up.” Criscuolo was back in Buffalo on March 5, 2018, when he incurred a hit by the Matt Martin of the Toronto Maple Leafs with 13:40 left in the second period. He immediately left the ice, clutching his left shoulder. “Injuries happen,” he said. “What hurts

Criscuolo scored 17 goals for the Griffins during the 2016-17 season.

“We had a really good group in Rochester and there were five of us in the leadership group who rotated the responsibility,” he said. “While I was only a second-year player, I was one of the older guys in the locker room.” Although he didn’t get a chance to play in Buffalo during the second season of his two-year deal, Criscuolo has no regrets. “Looking back, I think it was a good decision for me,” he said. “I got to play in the NHL, which was a great experience. Of course, the one thing that is lingering is that I know I can play and I can make it in the league, (but) I just need another opportunity.” Criscuolo thought he might get another opportunity last season after he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. “Everyone in my family was a Philly fan through and through – Flyers, Eagles, Phillies, Sixers,” he said. “We’re just over the bridge in Jersey and a lot of family members live in Pennsylvania, so the Flyers were my hometown team. My dad grew up watching the Flyers all the time.” Although many considered Criscuolo to be a long-shot to make the NHL team out of training camp, he didn’t see it that way.

“It was pretty exciting to sign with the Flyers,” he said. “I was hoping that my next opportunity was going to be with the Flyers and things would fall into place. They had a lot of prospects, but you still do everything you can to make the team. “

obviously love Grand Rapids, so that was like the cherry on top.” The first person he texted after signing his new contract was Evgeny Svechnikov, his former linemate from the 2016-17 season, who is still in the Red Wings organization after clearing waivers.

He had a connection with Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher. Not only were both Harvard grads, but Criscuolo had interned in the analytics department of the Minnesota Wild several summers earlier when Fletcher was the general manager in Saint Paul.

“We have such great memories from that year – being rookies, living in the same apartment, and playing on the same line,” he said. “We became really good friends and it’s fun to get back together again.

Criscuolo played well for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, tallying 24 points (817–24) in 40 games – the third-highest average point production among regulars for the Flyers’ top affiliate.

“Hopefully we can play some games on the same line and see what happens. I’m sure our chemistry is still there. I can feel it in practice. It’s exciting to get back together with all the guys who are still here.”

“You always want to put yourself in the position that you’re the first callup,” he said. “Certainly, you always want to be optimistic. It would have been one of those cool stories where you play for your hometown team. While it didn’t pan out, I still had a great experience there. “

Criscuolo made his NHL debut in a Buffalo Sabres jersey at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Not only did he not get promoted to the NHL, but the Flyers traded Criscuolo and a fourth-round selection from the 2020 NHL Entry Draft to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for center Derek Grant in late February. Assigned to the San Diego Gulls by the Ducks, Criscuolo went from Lehigh Valley, a team near the bottom of the Atlantic Division, to a club in the middle of the Pacific Division playoff hunt. “Obviously I had never been traded before,” he said. “In Lehigh, the playoffs looked like a long shot. I had been in the playoffs every year as a pro, so I was disappointed that it looked like it was going to be a tough road to even squeak in. “When I heard I was going to San Diego, I was excited to live in California, even for a little while. The Gulls had a great team and if the season had continued, they looked like they were going to be a real contender.” Even though the Gulls had an established lineup, Criscuolo did his best to find his role in the lineup. “It was exciting to go there and win games,” he said. “I didn’t put up points, but I thought I played well. I was joining a team that was playing really well and I was excited to help them continue to win.” Criscuolo had gotten married to his long-time girlfriend, Gabrielle Whitehouse, the previous summer, so he was excited when she was able to join him on the west coast. Everything seemed perfect.

“The weather was great and you’re playing hockey and things were going really well,” he recalled. “And then the pandemic hits and everything shut down. “ Thus began a season of uncertainty. “We didn’t know what was going to happen, whether the season might restart, so we stayed for a while and enjoyed it there as much as we could,” Criscuolo said. “At least we were in warm weather.” The young couple stayed in California until mid-May before heading back east. “It was a really hard summer, at least mentally,” he said. “When you’re in the AHL and you’re a bubble guy, this game is a lot more mental than it is physical. It was difficult hearing all the different rumors and staying motivated.”

single day together. It was definitely been a blessing to have her around this summer, especially during such uncertain times. “Even now, when everything is so unpredictable, it’s great to have someone that you’ve known for 12 years by your side. She’s been awesome. And the dog has been a great distraction for us, especially in San Diego where we could be outside with her almost all day,” he said. Criscuolo maintained a routine of training and skating as much as he could. “And yet summer was dragging on and on. It felt like at some point, we’ve got to know something. It was tough to stay on it. You had to approach it like a job.” When the NHL announced that free agency would open last Oct. 9, Criscuolo said he felt even more purpose.

Criscuolo and his wife attempted to ease the stress by purchasing a house in Connecticut. It also helped they had become owners of a Mini Goldendoodle the previous September. Their dog, Luna, weighs about 20-25 pounds.

Criscuolo and his agent had always kept in touch with Detroit management to see if another opportunity to play in the Red Wings organization might be possible. And this time it happened. Criscuolo inked a one-year deal on the first day of free agency.

“It’s been an interesting first year of marriage,” he said. “My wife works from home, so we’ve spent every

“This year, everything fell into place,” he said. “It felt like this was my best chance to get back to the NHL and I

A rookie only five years ago, Criscuolo will be the fourth-oldest on the Griffins roster during the abbreviated 2020-21 AHL season. He looks forward to being one of the team leaders after being named an alternate captain. “It’s more about what I do than what I say,” he said. “I pride myself on showing up every single day and making sure I’m doing things the right way and showing the young guys how to be a pro. “Whether I’m wearing a letter or not, that doesn’t change. When I’m in the lineup, I’m making sure every game counts.” Starting a season on a new team is usually a challenge. “The biggest thing is you have to prove yourself again. When you go somewhere new, you have to show what you have and if you don’t get off to a great start, it becomes difficult.” He is looking forward to playing for head coach Ben Simon, who was an assistant coach when the Griffins won the Cup. “It’s nice to come to a place where you’ve played well and have had a great relationship with the coaches. “While it’s usually tough going to a new team, there’s a level of comfort coming back here. I feel like I can play my game right from the start and with only 30 games in the season, every game will be important. There’s going to be a lot riding on every game.” In the end, he’s just happy to have the opportunity to play hockey again. “When you’re at the rink every day with the same group of guys, creating that camaraderie, it’s super special and you definitely feel fortunate to be back in the mix and have some semblance of normalcy. “It’s going to be a fun year.” 7

MORE THAN TWO DOZEN GRIFFINS ALUMNI ARE PLAYING IN THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE THIS SEASON. (as of Feb. 4, 2021)

PETR MRAZEK

TYLER BERTUZZI (2014-18) DANNY DEKEYSER (2012-13) VALTTERI FILPPULA (2005-07) LUKE GLENDENING (2012-14) DARREN HELM (2007-09;13-14) TARO HIROSE (2019-20) FILIP HRONEK (2016-19) DYLAN LARKIN (2014-15) ANTHONY MANTHA (2014-17) DYLAN MCILRATH (Taxi Squad) (2016-20) CALVIN PICKARD (2019-20) MICHAEL RASMUSSEN (2018-20) GIVANI SMITH (2016-17;18-20) FILIP ZADINA (2018-20)

RILEY SHEAHAN (2011-14)

TOMAS TATAR

TOMAS NOSEK

JASON SPEZZA

(Injured reserve) (2010-14)

GUSTAV NYQUIST

TOMAS TATAR (2009-13)

JASON SPEZZA (2001-02)

PETR MRAZEK (2012-15)

CALLE JARNKROK (2012-14)

ANDREAS ATHANASIOU (2013-16) MARTIN FRK (2013-17;18-19)

BRENDAN SMITH (2010-13)

TOMAS JURCO

MATTIAS JANMARK (2013-14)

(Taxi squad) (2012-14;15-17)

TOMAS NOSEK (2014-17)

THE RED WINGS

ACCOUNT FOR MORE THAN HALF OF THE GRIFFINS ALUMNI IN THE NHL THIS SEASON.

NICK JENSEN (2013-17) 9

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W003481

THE LIFE OF RILEY

After playing in the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens organizations, Riley Barber is excited about the chance to play hockey in the state where he played most of his formative years. — Story by Mark Newman “Listen to your parents.” It’s the earnest edict that every kid dreads, a directive like “eat your vegetables” or “do your homework.” In other words, a call to action about as unwelcome as “go to your room.” As a kid growing up outside Pittsburgh, Riley Barber likely heard all these admonitions and more. But listening to his parents was a proverbial piece of cake to Barber, a boy who had dreams of following in their footsteps. For someone destined to make his living on the ice, he entered this world with almost the perfect pedigree. His mother was a skating instructor and his father was a former NHL player, so following their advice made all the sense in the world.

he said. “My dad never really pushed hockey, but I picked up a stick and never let it go, even in the house, for a couple of years.” His mother still has the plastic stick with which he fashioned countless highlightreel goals of his imagination. By the time he was old enough to play organized hockey, he was already playing with kids who were older than he was.

“The game has changed, but it was awesome to hear his stories and hear about some of the characters who were his teammates,” he said. “Having my dad there – someone who knew the game so well – really helped me out.

The Pittsburgh Hornets amateur hockey program had its share of elite players. Barber grew up playing with center Vincent Trocheck, a future third-round draft pick of the NHL’s Florida Panthers. Other notables included center J.T. Miller, the New York Rangers’ 2011 first-round selection, and goaltender John Gibson, who was taken by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round of the same draft.

“It gives you a big advantage when you’re at the age of 12, 13, 14 or 15. Those are huge development years and you have to make important decisions about figuring out the game, where to play, and whom to play for.”

All of them dreamt of the day they would wear the black and yellow colors of Team Lemieux (Mario, of course, not Claude).

“As a little kid, I remember going on the public outdoor rink in Washington, Pa., with my dad,” Riley said. “My parents told me that I loved it from the start and I would never want to get off the ice.”

He remained an ardent fan – although his allegiance became a bit more covert – after moving to Michigan with his family so that he could play in the storied Little Caesars and Compuware amateur hockey programs.

“I was out on the ice every chance I could get, with or without a stick,” Barber said. “I would skate all the way to one end and not be able to stop – run into a wall, then get back up and do it again.” Riley, the oldest of three boys, absolutely loved the feel of blades beneath his feet. “Every time my mom had ice (time), I was out there, just getting the basics down,”

He admits that it was fun following the exploits of Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg – not to mention Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom, Niklas Kronwall and all the others. He even got to see his father’s old roommate, Livonia’s Mike Modano, finish his career in Detroit. The elder Barber played with his more than his share of talented players during his brief but memorable hockey career. His teammates include`d Dino Ciccarelli, Phil Housley, Larry Murphy, Eddie Olczyk and Keith Tkachuk, along with future Griffins head coaches Danton Cole and Curt Fraser.

Don Barber played parts of four seasons in the NHL with the Minnesota North Stars, Winnipeg Jets, Quebec Nordiques, and San Jose Sharks during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Stacy Barber, meanwhile, coached figure skating and led a learn-to-skate program in the family’s suburban community, located on the outskirts of the city of Penguins.

While other kids were being told to look both ways before crossing the street, Barber was going full throttle into traffic – on the ice. He was hardly the Barber of Civil when it came to skating. Crash and dash were more his speed.

“I’ll never forget that big famous (MarcAndre) Fleury save on (Nicklas) Lidstrom at the end of that game,” Barber said. “I got to see the Penguins hoist the Cup, which was a big deal because once I moved from Pittsburgh to Detroit in the seventh grade, it became the Wings all day, every day.”

Barber spent four seasons playing for Compuware, leading his team in scoring each year, before he became the first overall pick in the 2010 USHL draft and headed off to Dubuque, Iowa. Being separated by hundreds of miles, Barber had to admit that he missed the almost daily words of wisdom from his mom and dad. “That was a huge adjustment, especially being only 16 and moving away from living at home,” he said. “You’re playing with new teammates, some of whom are 21 years old, and it was probably my biggest year in terms of development.” In hindsight, Barber thinks the move was especially hard on his mom, who found it difficult to say goodbye to her oldest son, even though the Barbers attended as many games as they could. “For some reason, I was pretty calm about the whole situation, even though I didn’t know anyone in high school,” he said. “I guess it was just that I knew this was what I wanted to do, so I just focused on getting myself ready for that first game.” It helped that the Voss family in Dubuque proved to be the best billets any kid could hope to encounter, and it didn’t hurt that he found himself playing for Jim Montgomery, a coach whom he still holds in high regard to this day.

Barber signed a twoyear contract with the Red Wings last fall.

“It was all about the Penguins,” Barber recalled. “I remember the day that we drafted (Sidney) Crosby after getting (Evgeni) Malkin (the previous year). That was huge for my brothers and me.”

“We had some good players in Pittsburgh, but the access to play with really, really good players every week in Detroit, along with the opportunity for showcases in Toronto, prompted our decision to come to Michigan,” Barber said. But his attachment to his hometown team meant he could not keep his affection clandestine forever. He attended Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Final in Detroit when Pittsburgh edged the Red Wings by a 2-1 score, exacting revenge for the Wings’ conquest of the Penguins only one year prior.

accept a scholarship to Miami University in Oxford, the school reached out to Barber with an offer. “I hadn’t really talked to them or even had contact with them,” Barber said, “when they asked if I wanted to come that week. I went on a Thursday and I signed by Friday morning. After going around campus and meeting the guys, I knew right away. It was one of those gut feelings.” Again, Barber found himself in the right place at the right time. Reilly Smith chose to turn pro rather than play his senior season at Miami, opening a spot on the RedHawks’ top line for Barber, who quickly found himself clicking with sophomore Austin Czarnik. “We hit it off, both on and off the ice,” Barber said. “We developed a great friendship, but also we just had a good feel for each other on the ice, which made it a really fun year.” Barber became the top freshman scorer in the nation, earning CCHA Rookie of the Year honors. He remains thankful for the opportunity he was given by head coach Enrico Blasi. “He showed great confidence in giving me all those minutes to play right away. To get to play in all situations and play down the stretch as a freshman, I can’t thank him enough.”

Barber scored 31 goals during the 2018-19 season with the Hershey Bears. “Monty was probably one of the best coaches I ever had,” Barber said. “To be able to learn from him and then end up playing meaningful games before ultimately winning the Clark Cup made that year very special for sure.” Claiming the Cup was rather bittersweet for Barber, however, because it was during the championship series that he learned that his mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The news turned his world upside down. Barber had attended the 40-man camp of USA Hockey before the USHL draft, but the program turned him away with a “not yet” reply. Taking the rejection as a slap in the face, he figured the national program would be the last place where he would go next. “I wasn’t thinking at all about coming back to the program,” he said. “When my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and when a spot opened in Ann Arbor – about 30 minutes from home – it was a no-brainer.”

“I always had a passion for shooting the puck,” Barber said. “I can still hear my dad, yelling to shoot it at his feet and shoot it quick. That stuff is now ingrained. “I spent hours working with Mike during my college years to solidify my shot to be able to score. I took it personally and tried to get better every day. I did a lot of shooting outside – it’s probably why my youngest brother Cullen became a goalie because he had no other option but to get in the net.” Barber also tested himself at the international level, playing in U17 and U18 tournaments before appearing in the 2013 and 2014 editions of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship as a member of the U.S. team. “It was a huge boost to my confidence,” he said. “To be honest, the NHL was on my radar going back to my days in the USA program, but I was going to Miami for the chance to get a degree from a great school. Whatever happened after school would be great. “Playing against the best of the best during the World Juniors convinced

“My coach was Danton Cole,” Barber said. “I loved my time with Danton. Like Monty, he stressed the little things, while also paying a lot of attention to the importance of playing defensively, penalty killing, and playing a physical game.” Barber used his time with the U.S. program to become stronger and get his body ready to play college hockey. The Washington Capitals selected Barber in the sixth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the same round that the Edmonton Oilers had chosen his dad some 29 years earlier. “When you’re a young kid, you want to be drafted higher, of course,” Barber said. “To be drafted by Washington was one of those moments that you celebrate but in the end, I was motivated by the fact that I was drafted later than I had hoped. “I wanted to go to college to prove to everyone that I wasn’t a sixth-rounder.”

As important as hockey was to Barber, his mother’s health was all that mattered at the time. “Thankfully, my mom is cancer-free now, but initially we didn’t know what her diagnosis was coming to mean for the family,” he recalled.

Barber had visits planned for North Dakota and Boston University. He also paid a visit to Bowling Green where his dad had played before turning pro – “It was awesome to hear him reminiscing,” he says. In the end, it was a different school in Ohio that would get his attention.

In a way, hockey became a useful distraction, although he made the most of his time with the national program.

When defenseman Connor Murphy, a first-round pick of the Phoenix Coyotes, opted to play junior hockey rather than

Barber also benefitted from working with former NHL winger Mike Donnelly, a Livonia native who had played for the Michigan State Spartans in the early 1980s with Kelly and Kevin Miller, Danton Cole and Don McSween – all one-time Grand Rapids Griffins.

Barber spent most of the 2019-20 season in the AHL with the Laval Rocket.

me that I might have a chance to build something special. Mentally, it was a huge thing for me to be able to produce at that level.”

Barber appeared in nine games last season with the Montreal Canadiens.

Even so, he knew he needed a fresh start last season. He signed with the Montreal organization and spent most of the season with the Laval Rocket, although he got to see action in nine NHL games with the Canadiens.

Barber won a gold medal at his first World Junior tournament in Ufa, Russia, a Soviet outpost which he describes as cold, dark, and in the middle of nowhere (north of Kazakhstan).

“Each year I’m hoping to play more and more in order to reach the dream of becoming a full-time NHLer,” Barber said. “Sometimes the dream seems far away, but it really isn’t. I know that from playing in the league that it can happen in a heartbeat.”

“We definitely had a great time,” he said without a hint of irony. “When you beat Canada and end up winning the tournament, it’s something you’ll never forget.”

He was traded in a four-player deal to Pittsburgh last February. He ended up playing seven games with the Penguins’ AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before the coronavirus shut down the whole league.

His parents watched the games on TV. “I saw how much it meant to my dad and his whole family,” he said. “I didn’t realize how big that tournament is to Canadians, even from a cultural standpoint. To see how excited my dad got watching our games at 2 or 3 a.m. before going into work was pretty cool.”

“It was pretty cool when I got the call that I was going to get that chance to play in Pittsburgh,” he said. “I loved my time in Wilkes-Barre. Obviously, with everything that happened with COVID, it was kind of a bummer, but it was still cool when I finally got to wear the (Penguins) colors.”

Barber was chosen to captain the U.S. team during the 2014 World Juniors in Malmo, Sweden. He led the team with four goals in five games, but the U.S. failed to medal after dropping a 3-2 heartbreaker to Canada and losing to Russia in the medal round. “It was really cool to be voted captain by my teammates,” he said. “That’s a jersey that will have a prominent place in my future basement whenever I settle down somewhere. That jersey will be front and center.” Back at Miami, Barber’s play continued to progress. He improved his offensive production to better than a point per game during his sophomore season, although the year was disappointing from a team perspective. “But everything came together during my third year,” he said, “with the whole team working toward a common goal – even though the season didn’t end the way we wanted it to end.” Barber tore his knee in the conference championship game, then watched from the sidelines as his teammates lost in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. “It was unfortunate because I thought we had the team to win it all that year,” he said. “It was a tough way for me to go out, especially knowing that it was the last game that I was going to play with Miami.” Barber had made the difficult decision to leave school before his senior season. “Looking back, it was tough coming back from a knee injury and going right into an NHL training camp,” he said. “The truth is I was not ready for that kind of hockey after suffering that injury. It took a while to get in shape and get my skating back up to speed.”

It was an unusual summer.

Barber scored 26 goals during his rookie pro season for the Hershey Bears, who went all the way to the Calder Cup Finals before being swept by the Lake Erie Monsters. “We had such a good group of guys that it was probably my most fun year,” he said. “When you’re winning those big games down the stretch, you feel like the whole team is behind you and it’s a whole lot of fun.” His promising pro career, however, suffered a setback his second season when he broke his hand. Barber hurt his scaphoid, one of eight small bones that comprise the carpal bones of the wrist. When the scaphoid is broken, the few tiny blood vessels that supply the bones with nutrients can be damaged, meaning it can take longer to heal. Even so, Barber still managed to play 39 games with Hershey in 2016-17, in addition to getting his first taste of the NHL. He saw action in three games with the Capitals. He remembers getting the memorable phone call about the promotion from Bryan Helmer, the former Griffins defenseman who was an assistant coach with Hershey at the time. “Obviously, it’s something you dream about it,” said Barber, who made his NHL debut against the Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 24, 2017.

“When you see players like (Alex) Ovechkin and (Nicklas) Backstrom and all the other guys, you realize it’s a once-ina-lifetime experience. To be able to have my family and my brothers in the stands was awesome.” He can still recall his first shift. “I saw (Connor) McDavid winding it up in the neutral zone and I was thinking, ‘Oh, oh. He’s coming toward my side.’ I remember thinking, ‘I don’t want to be on SportsCenter’s Top 10.’ Fortunately, he went to the other side and it was one of those ‘Thank God’ moments for me.” Barber continued to excel in Hershey the next two seasons – he had his first 30goal season in 2018-19, his fourth year with the Bears – but the Capitals didn’t need to call for his services again. “Obviously, you would rather be playing in the NHL – that’s what we’re all here to do,” he said. “During my four years, the Capitals won a lot of hockey games, so Washington didn’t need to change much.” He remains sanguine about his time in the Capitals system. “As you get older, you realize that even though you’re not in the NHL, you’re making a living and you still have the chance to play the game that you love,” he said. “In my case, I became more thankful for my whole situation.”

“After you got past the seven- or eightmonth mark, you realize this – being a hockey player – is what I do, this is who I am,” he said. “It’s crazy when it gets taken away from you and you miss it way more than you normally do. It makes you even more excited to get back to playing.” Barber was thrilled when he signed a two-year contract with Detroit last October. “When my agent told me that the Red Wings had expressed interest, I was ecstatic,” he said. “I was excited about the idea of coming to Grand Rapids and getting the chance to play for the organization.” Barber was recalled to the Red Wings’ taxi squad early during the current NHL season. It put him one step closer to another chance at his dream. “I think I can produce at the NHL level,” Barber said. “I’ve had some chances here and there, but all it takes is a couple to go in off a shin pad or something and all of a sudden, you get to stay there.” Whether he is waiting for his opportunity in Detroit or doing his best to get noticed in Grand Rapids, Barber can honestly say that he is simply excited to be able to play again. “You just have to stay positive and stay ready, especially with everything that’s going on,” he said. “The more you play, the more confidence you gain in your ability to play in the league. I know I can play with those players. “I’m just hoping for that next opportunity.” 13

Unprecedented Times, Indeed

The Griffins are one of only eight American Hockey League franchises whose head coach, arena, city, division, NHL affiliate, and status as an active team are all the same as they were one year ago, before the pandemic canceled the end of the 2019-20 season. As the league finally hits the ice for an 85th campaign unlike any that has come before it, here are the changes – some permanent, some temporary – that you need to know from across the circuit. Golden Knights), Chicago is also the 2020-21 affiliate of the Nashville Predators, due to Milwaukee opting out of this season. BELLEVILLE SENATORS Joined the newly formed Canadian Division (previously in the North Division).

NY BINGHAMTON DEVILS Granted a provisional relocation from the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena, the Devils will play this season at the RWJ Barnabas Health Hockey House inside the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., home of their NHL affiliate, the New Jersey Devils.

The Wolves are playing at the Triphahn Center Ice Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill., a temporary relocation from Allstate Arena in Rosemont.

NC OH CLEVELAND MONSTERS Rejoined the Central Division after spending the last two seasons in the North Division.

NYNC CHARLOTTE CHECKERS Opted out of playing the 2020-21 season. Signed a multi-year affiliation agreement with the Florida Panthers (previously with the Carolina Hurricanes). Head coach Geordie Kinnear came over from the same position with Florida’s previous affiliate in Springfield and replaced Ryan Warsofsky, now with Chicago.

IL CHICAGO WOLVES The new primary affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes (previously with the Vegas 14

New head coach Ryan Warsofsky, previously in the same position over Carolina’s prospects in Charlotte, replaced current San Jose Sharks associate coach Rocky Thompson.

NV HENDERSON SILVER KNIGHTS The primary affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights is playing its inaugural AHL season at the Orleans Arena in Paradise, Nev., as members of the Pacific Division. The Silver Knights chose Manny Viveiros, former head coach of the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs, to lead their team. The franchise was previously located in San Antonio, where the Rampage were a member of the Central Division.

PA HERSHEY BEARS Joined the North Division (previously in the Atlantic Division).

NY LAVAL ROCKET Granted a provisional relocation from Place Bell, the Rocket will play this season at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Que., home of their NHL affiliate, the Montreal Canadiens. Joined the newly formed Canadian Division (previously in the North Division).

PA LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS Joined the North Division (previously in the Atlantic Division).

NY MANITOBA MOOSE Joined the newly formed Canadian Division (previously in the Central Division).

WI NY MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS Opted out of playing the 2020-21 season.

ONTARIO REIGN PRIMARY MARK

NY ONTARIO REIGN Granted a provisional relocation from the Toyota Arena, the Reign will play this season at the Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo, Calif., the practice facility of their NHL affiliate, the Los Angeles Kings.

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New head coach John Wroblewski joined the Reign after four seasons as a head coach with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. He replaced former Griffins bench boss Mike Stothers, whose contract was not renewed.

RI NY PROVIDENCE BRUINS Granted a provisional relocation from the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence, the Bruins will play this season at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Mass., which boasts eight ice rinks and 65 locker rooms.

NY ROCHESTER AMERICANS New head coach Seth Appert, once a goalie for Ferris State and most recently a coach with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, replaced Chris Taylor, now an assistant coach with the New SAN DIEGO GULLS Jersey Devils. PRIMARY MARK

will play in their new home, Solar4America Ice at San Jose, the practice facility of their NHL affiliate, the San Jose Sharks. This was a planned relocation from the Barracuda’s former home, the SAP Center at San Jose, which they shared with their parent club. What’s old is new again behind the Barracuda bench. Head coach Roy Sommer, whose 773 head coaching wins are the most in AHL history, returned to the Barracuda in September following a callup to the Sharks as an associate coach in Dec. 2019.

SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS Opted out of playing the 2020-21 season.

Named former San Antonio Rampage head HEAT coach DrewSTOCKTON Bannister as their bench boss to replace Geordie Kinnear, now with Charlotte. PRIMARY MARK

NY STOCKTON HEAT Granted a provisional relocation from the Stockton Arena, the Heat will play this season at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alta., home of their NHL affiliate, the Calgary Flames.

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Joined the newly formed Canadian Division (previously in the Pacific Division).

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CA NY NY SAN JOSE BARRACUDA Pending the easing of health restrictions in Santa Clara (Calif.) County, the Barracuda

TUCSON ROADRUNNERS Elevated former assistant coach Steve Potvin to head coach, after Jay Varady was named an assistant coach with the Roadrunners’ parent club, the Arizona Coyotes.

NY UTICA COMETS The primary affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks is also the 2020-21 affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, due to Springfield opting out of this season.

Signed a five-year affiliation agreement with the St. Louis Blues (previously with the Florida Panthers).

CA SAN DIEGO GULLS Granted a provisional relocation from the Pechanga Arena San Diego, the Gulls will play this season at the FivePoint Arena at Great Park Ice in Irvine, Calif., the practice facility of their NHL affiliate, the Anaheim Ducks.

SYRACUSE CRUNCH The primary affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning is also the 2020-21 affiliate of the Florida Panthers, due to Charlotte opting out of this season.

PA WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS Gave the team’s reins to former assistant coach J.D. Forrest, after Mike Vellucci joined the parent club in Pittsburgh as an assistant coach. Joined the North Division (previously in the Atlantic Division).

COMING IN 2022

Palm Springs, Calif., will join the AHL in 2022-23 as the league’s 32nd franchise and the primary affiliate of the NHL’s expansion Seattle Kraken.

TORONTO MARLIES Joined the newly formed Canadian Division (previously in the North Division).

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