Category: Griffins
-
Smith scores first NHL goal as Wings win big
By Matt Mackinder – DETROIT – This one was over before it started. Or at least, it was over 35 seconds into the first period. Valtteri Filppula scored the game’s first goal and added another in the second period as the Red Wings defeated the Minnesota Wild 6-0 Friday night in front of another…
-
Patience is the path for Brendan Smith
Editor’s note: The Red Wings just announced that Smith has been recalled from Grand Rapids to join Detroit for their game in Columbus Tuesday night. By Kyle Kujawa – When Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland acquired defenseman Kyle Quincey a week before the NHL’s trade deadline, he emphasized a well-known organizational philosophy when…
-
Chris Minard: The Road to Health and Redemption
By Kyle Kujawa – After finishing the 2010-11 season with his lowest professional goal total since his first season, Chris Minard began looking towards this season as a chance for redemption. Unfortunately, his brain had other ideas. Minard was signed to a two-year contract by the Detroit Red Wings in July of 2010 for his…
-
McCollum Making his Mark
By Kyle Kujawa – Tom McCollum won three straight games for the Grand Rapids Griffins from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3, and he was rewarded with more playing time. Unfortunately, that playing time wasn’t with the Griffins. It was the result of poor timing more than anything else. Following McCollum’s team-best three-game winning streak, starting…
-
MiHockey’s 50 most influential people on Michigan hockey
The following 50 people are the men and women we think have the most impact on the game of hockey in Michigan. They influence our young players, and they impact the policies and rules associated with the game. They are the game-changers, the people who affect hockey on and off the ice every single day.…
-
Savvy Janik stabilizes blue line
By Kyle Kujawa – When looking for a catalyst for the emergence of the Griffins’ offense during the month of November, it’s easy to overlook veteran defenseman Doug Janik. Janik does not have the flash of the Griffins’ top offensive contributors. But the 31-year-old blue-liner has been one of the most productive Griffins this season…
-
Rejuvenated Johnson leading the charge
By Kyle Kujawa – For Grand Rapids Griffins center Jamie Johnson, coming to the rink every day last year just didn’t have the same appeal that it once did. “I didn’t have the year I wanted to,” Johnson said. “I thought I worked hard and played well, but I just had a hard time finding…
-
MacDonald in “win-win” situation
By Kyle Kujawa – When it comes to franchise records, longevity, professionalism and loyalty on the Grand Rapids Griffins, Joey MacDonald stands alone. With 924 games of NHL experience on the roster, there is certainly no shortage of role models for the young players on the Griffins. Though he doesn’t wear a letter on his…
-
Friday night recaps
Here’s a quick recap of how your favorite Michigan teams did Friday night. The Red Wings continued their perfect start to the season, taking care of the winless Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 at Joe Louis Arena. Valtteri Filppula had three assists – two of which on goals from linemate Johan Franzen – and an empty-net…
-
Adding Exel-lence
By Logan Buckley – After two seasons out of the AHL playoff picture, the Grand Rapids Griffins are retooled, toughened up and on a mission to emulate their parent club, the Detroit Red Wings, by marching into the post-season. Similar to the structure in Detroit where stability on the backend is the foundation upon which…