the grandest griffins

CELEBRATING 20 PLAYERS AND 20 SEASONS OF GRIFFINS HOCKEY

Dear Griffins Fans -

Before construction of Mount Rushmore began in 1927, four U.S. presidents – out of the 30 who had served to that point – were selected to have their likenesses carved into the South Dakotan granite.

Speaking from experience, choosing the Grand Rapids Griffins’ version of Mount Rushmore was a much more challenging task.

In honor of our 20th season, we set out this summer to spotlight 20 players from our franchise’s history within the pages of this commemorative publication. Just from a numbers standpoint it was a nearly impossible task, as 448 players have donned a Griffins jersey since our inaugural 1996-97 season, for anywhere from one to 714 games.

Undaunted by the responsibility, four members of the Griffins’ staff with a combined 70 years of service to the organization were charged with identifying the 20 most significant players in franchise history.

The term “significant” is, well, just that. Very significant. It’s not necessarily the 20 “greatest” players we were looking for, since greatness is a lot like art: you know it when you see it, but it can be hard to define. Our job was tough enough already.

Still, this difficult task was also a joyful one, as we had the opportunity to unearth fantastic memories and reflect upon the players and moments that have made the Griffins such a special and integral part of the West Michigan experience.

The criteria we used were far-ranging and, admittedly, very subjective, including performance, longevity, leadership, playoff heroics, overall impact, popularity, historic significance, personality, local ties, community work and NHL success. That’s quite a load to consider.

By happy accident – and perhaps confirming the validity of our final list – each Griffins season saw at least one of these players take to the ice. Mindful of avoiding a recency bias, we wanted to ensure that stalwarts from the team’s early years received their due. Yes, seven of our 20 were 2013 Calder Cup champions, but that’s certainly justified. Meanwhile, seven members of the 2005-06 regular season championship squad made the cut, as did five players from the 2000 IHL Turner Cup finalists and four from our first season.

Overall, the resulting alphabetized list offers a balanced romp through franchise history and honors the players who truly made Griffins Hockey what it is today. Are there deserving players who aren’t within these pages? Of course. Are there players on our list with whom you take issue? We hope so. Given the Griffins’ rich tradition, the number of talented players and incredible people who’ve passed through Van Andel Arena, and the spirit of debate that thrives in the hearts of sports fans, that’s to be expected.

But in that disagreement, take heart. If you don’t see your favorite player here, we can assure you that he was No. 21.

We hope you enjoy making this trip down memory lane as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Sincerely,

Tim GortsemaPresidentGrand Rapids Griffins

TABLE OF CONTENTS

This 20th Anniversary Commemorative Publication is published by 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 ©2015 Grand Rapids Griffins. Edited by Randy Cleves. Written by Mark Newman and Randy Cleves. Photos by Mark Newman. Graphic design by Jonathan Guinn, Rogers Printing.

JUSTIN ABDELKADER

2

PAVOL DEMITRA

3

MATT ELLIS

4

LUKE GLENDENING

6

BRYAN HELMER

7

JEFF HOGGAN

8

JIMMY HOWARD

10

JIRI HUDLER

11

DEREK KING

12

NIKLAS KRONWALL

14

DONALD MacLEAN

15

PETR MRAZEK

16

CHRIS NEIL

18

TODD NELSON

19

GUSTAV NYQUIST

20

FRANCIS PARE

22

MICHEL PICARD

23

TEEMU PULKKINEN

24

TRAVIS RICHARDS

26

TOMAS TATAR

27

PAGE 28 GRIFFINS ALL-TIME ROSTER

WHERE IS HE NOW?Abdelkader is looking to build upon his best year in Detroit, after scoring 23 goals with the Red Wings last season.

JUSTIN ABDELKADERCenter6-2, 215 lbs.Born 2/25/87 Muskegon, Mich.

CAREER TOTALS GP G A PTS PIM

GRIFFINS (2008-10) 109 35 41 76 188

NHL (2007-15) 398 61 71 132 297

HONOR ROLL2008-09 AHL All-Rookie Team

Detroit’s 2nd choice, 42nd overall, in 2005 NHL Entry Draft

THROUGH 2014-15

FUN FACTAbdelkader, the first native of West Michigan to play for the Griffins, scored the game-winning goal with 18.9 seconds remaining against Boston College to help Michigan State University win the 2007 NCAA title.

QUOTABLE

“You could learn a lot from watching veterans like them.

It was neat for young guys like me to see NHL veterans come down and be able to learn from their

leadership. I remember how excited I was to play in Grand Rapids, after coming

from East Lansing and being from Muskegon.”

– Justin Abdelkader, on playing with veterans like Chris Chelios,

Aaron Downey and Darren McCarty in Grand Rapids

“Abby brings a little bit of

everything. Regardless of where you put him in the lineup, he

delivers. He’s one of those guys who doesn’t get all the credit that

he deserves. And as a local guy, he’s a pretty incredible story.”

– Niklas Kronwall

2

WHERE IS HE NOW?Deceased. Sadly, Demitra, who tallied 742 of his 768 NHL points after playing for Grand Rapids, was among the 43 people

killed when a Russian plane carrying the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey team crashed during takeoff on Sept. 7, 2011. Defenseman Karel Rachunek and goaltender Stefan Liv, both former Griffins, also perished in the crash.

FUN FACTA documentary film, “38,” was produced about Demitra in 2014 by Daniel Dangl, an actor and director who is famous in Slovakia and the Czech Republic for his work in sketch comedy.

HONOR ROLL2010 Olympian

2006 Olympian

2002 Olympian

2002 NHL All-Star Game

1999-00 NHL Lady Byng Memorial Trophy



1996 AHL All-Star Game (Prince Edward Island)

Ottawa’s 9th choice, 227th overall, in 1993 NHL Entry Draft


GRIFFINS (1996-97) 42 20 30 50 24

NHL (1993-04; 05-10)

847 304 464 768 284

QUOTABLE

“Whenever I run into someone who is unhappy, I tell them to go

to Grand Rapids. To me, it’s the best place to play in the minor leagues. Great organization.

Great city. Great fans.”– Pavol Demitra, about his time

with the Griffins, in 1999

“We traded Darin Smith for

Demitra in the most one-sided trade we ever made in Grand

Rapids. Pavol was so good. He was such a good skater, had great

hands and saw the ice so well. It was only a matter of time before

an NHL team came knocking on his door. We were fortunate to have

him for the time we did.”– Former Griffins GM

Bob McNamara

3

PAVOLDEMITRARight Wing6-0, 200 lbs.Born 11/29/74 Dubnica, Slovakia Died 9/7/11 Yaroslavl, Russia

FUN FACTEllis was born in Welland, Ontario, home to Canada’s answer to the Erie Canal and also the birthplace of another Griffins captain, Jamie Tardif.

QUOTABLE

“It all starts with work ethic. In the game of hockey, you never can

stop working.”– Matt Ellis, on his approach

“Everybody respected Matt

because he made more out of his ability than anyone. He was never the best skater, never had the greatest hands, but he made

himself a better player. The reason he played so long in the NHL is

because he willed himself to be there.”

– Former Griffins GM Bob McNamara, on Ellis overcoming the odds to

play in the NHL

MATT ELLISCenter6-1, 210 lbs.Born 8/31/81 Welland, Ontario


GRIFFINS (2003-07) 282 69 84 153 187

NHL (2006-15) 356 21 28 49 89

HONOR ROLLCaptain: 2005-07

2005-06 AHL Regular Season Champion

Griffins career leader in shorthanded goals (12) and playoff overtime goals (2, tied)

Griffins single-season recordholder for shorthanded goals (5 in 2006-07)

THROUGH 2014-15

WHERE IS HE NOW? Ellis signed a one-year AHL contract with the Rochester Americans for the 2015-16 season,

after appearing in 39 NHL games with the Buffalo Sabres last year.4

2015-16 SEASON SCHEDULE

Post-Game Open Skate

Huntington BankPost-Game Autograph Session

Friends & Family 4-Pack Home Game

Pepsi Reading Goals Redemption Date

All times Eastern. Dates, opponents and times subject to change.

Home AwayGames broadcast live on

RICHARDS KRONWALL HOWARD ABDELKADER

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TO PURCHASE TICKETS OR FOR MORE INFO, VISIT GRIFFINSHOCKEY.COM OR CALL 1.800.2.HOCKEY. @GRIFFINSHOCKEY

GLENDENING

HOGGAN

FUN FACTThe only Grand Rapidian to ever play for the Griffins, Glendening was named the fourth best penalty killer in the NHL by The Hockey News in its Aug. 17, 2015 issue.

LUKE GLENDENINGCenter5-11, 195 lbs.Born 4/28/89 Grand Rapids, Mich.


GRIFFINS (2012-14) 69 13 25 38 68

NHL (2013-15) 138 13 12 25 56

HONOR ROLL2012-13 AHL Calder Cup Champion

THROUGH 2014-15

WHERE IS HE NOW?Glendening, one of Detroit’s top defensive forwards, is in his third season with the Red Wings.

QUOTABLE

“It was so special for me to go back to my hometown and play in front

of so many friends and family in the stands every night. Obviously winning the Cup was special, but

I’ll always remember my first game there and how we had a

great group of players who made me feel I was just as important as

the next guy.”– Luke Glendening

“Luke has an extraordinary

work ethic that goes beyond the norm of most professional athletes. He’s one of those rare

people who can get better at things because he has a capacity

to learn and his work ethic is supreme. He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever been around.”– Former Griffins head coach

Jeff Blashill

6

FUN FACTUndrafted, Helmer was signed as a free agent by the New Jersey Devils in 1994. Helmer, whose signing bonus was a paltry $2,500, went on to play 20 seasons in the pros, becoming the all-time points leader among AHL defensemen.

WHERE IS HE NOW?Helmer is in his second season as an assistant coach for the Hershey Bears, an organization with whom he

won the Calder Cup as a player in 2009 and 2010.

QUOTABLE

“It might have been the water… I guess I was just lucky. I always

tried to keep myself in shape, but I have to give credit to

(ex-Griffins trainer) Rob Snitzer for keeping me healthy and Dogg (long-time equipment manager Brad Thompson) for taking care

of my skates. I have a lot of good memories of my two years in

Grand Rapids because there were so many good people there.”

– Bryan Helmer, on never missing a game during his two

seasons in Grand Rapids

“I’m in my 22nd season as

President and CEO of the AHL, and Bryan Helmer stands out as the player that I have most

admired for his leadership and competitive qualities. He is what our game and our league is all about.”– AHL’s Dave Andrews

7

BRYANHELMERDefenseman6-1, 210 lbs.Born 7/15/72 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

HONOR ROLL2009-10 AHL Calder Cup Champion (Hershey)

2008-09 AHL Calder Cup Champion (Hershey)

2009 AHL All-Star Game (Hershey)


2005-06 AHL Second Team All-Star

2005-06 Griffins Man of the Year

1994-95 AHL Calder Cup Champion (Albany)


GRIFFINS (2004-06) 160 19 62 81 202

NHL (1998-04; 08-09)

146 8 18 26 135

FUN FACTUnder Hoggan’s captaincy, the Griffins played 50 Calder Cup Playoff games between 2013-15, the most of any AHL team over a three-year span in league history.

JEFFHOGGANLeft Wing6-1, 190 lbs.Born 2/1/78 Hope, British Columbia


GRIFFINS (2012-15) 211 48 59 107 101

NHL (2005-10) 107 2 9 11 76

HONOR ROLLCaptain: 2012-15

2014-15 AHL Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award

2012-13 AHL Calder Cup Champion

2002-03 AHL Calder Cup Champion (Houston)

THROUGH 2014-15

WHERE IS HE NOW?Now in his fourth season in Grand Rapids, Hoggan is the longest-serving

captain in the history of the Griffins organization.

QUOTABLE

“I want to keep the winning culture in Grand Rapids. I still have that same fire and compete level, but as you get older, you have to prove your worth and show the

younger guys that you can still do it. So I’m going to continue to take pride in competing at a high level

as long as I play.”– Jeff Hoggan

“One quality that makes Hoggie

real special is his competitiveness. You could see it every year in the playoffs. Any time we needed to

raise our competitive level, he set the pace and the rest of the team

followed.”– Former Griffins head coach

Jeff Blashill

8

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

We’re all in this together.

Family. Friends.Community.

1211008

Danielle Rowland, Agent77 Monroe Center St NWGrand Rapids, MI 49503

Bus: [email protected]

Doug Jurgens, Agent3942 30th St SW

Grandville, MI 49418Bus: 616-531-8561

[email protected]

Marsha Veenstra, Agent4807 Cascade Road SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49546Bus: 616-940-2888

[email protected]

Jim L Blaszak, Agent5315 Alpine Avenue NW

Comstock Park, MI 49321Bus: 616-784-3344

[email protected]

Dan Koorndyk, Agent3219 Eastern Avenue SEGrand Rapids, MI 49508

Bus: [email protected]

Bill Cole, Agent2143 Wealthy Street SE

East Grand Rapids, MI 49506Bus: 616-458-4994

[email protected]

Sterling D Massey, Agent5384 S. Division Avenue

Kentwood, MI 49548Bus: 616-532-6071

[email protected]

State Farm® has a long tradition of being there. That’s one reason why we’re proud to support Grand Rapids Griffins on their 20th anniversary! Get to a better State®.

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COMMUNITY EVENTS10.27 TIP-A-GRIFFIN

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QUOTABLE

“Grand Rapids is where I learned to be a pro. I spent four years

working on my game and learning about myself and what it takes to succeed day in and day out. It taught me how hard it is to not only get here but also how you

have to work even harder to stay here. It allowed me to mature.”

– Jimmy Howard

“My first year in Grand Rapids was Jimmy’s last season there and you could tell he had really matured.

You could see he was confident on and off the ice, which is huge for a goaltender. After four years in GR, he felt like he had conquered the minor leagues and he was ready

for the challenge of the NHL.”– Justin Abdelkader

JIMMY HOWARDGoaltender6-1, 208 lbs.Born 3/26/84 Syracuse, N.Y.

CAREER TOTALS GP Record SO SV% GAA

GRIFFINS (2005-09)

186 90-73-11 14 0.911 2.67

NHL (2005-06; 07-15)

338 175-99-48 20 0.916 2.42

HONOR ROLL2015 NHL All-Star Game (Selected, DNP)

2014 Olympian


2009-10 NHL All-Rookie Team

2009-10 NHL Calder Memorial Trophy Runner-Up

2009-10 Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year



2008 AHL All-Star Game


2005-06 AHL All-Rookie Team

Griffins single-season recordholder for shutouts (6 in 2006-07; tied)

Detroit’s 1st choice, 64th overall, in 2003 NHL Entry Draft

THROUGH 2014-15

WHERE IS HE NOW?Howard enters his seventh full season in Detroit, having appeared in net an

average of nearly 55 games every year since 2009-10.

FUN FACTHoward, the runner-up for the 2010 Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie, is the only NHL goalie to face a penalty shot in each of his first two games.

10

WHERE IS HE NOW?Hudler is expected to be one of the leaders in Calgary during the 2015-16 season after leading the Flames in scoring a year

ago and winning the NHL’s Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for “sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”

QUOTABLE

“Hockey is not about size. If you play smart, if you play with good players, you can

play with anybody.”– Jiri Hudler, on overcoming

his short stature

“He’s just a happy guy and when you’re around him, you get the

same feeling. He was always fun to be around. As a player, he is a smaller guy, but his skill set

really is incredible.”– Niklas Kronwall, on his former

teammate in Grand Rapids and Detroit

FUN FACTOne of Hudler’s favorite dishes in his native Czech Republic is tatarsky biftek, which sounds like it’s named for Red Wings forward Tomas Tatar but is actually a meat dish made from minced raw beef.

11

JIRIHUDLERLeft Wing5-10, 180 lbs.Born 1/4/84 Olomouc, Czech Republic

HONOR ROLL2014-15 NHL Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

2007-08 NHL Stanley Cup Champion




2006 AHL All-Star Game (Starter)


Griffins career leader in overtime goals (4)

Griffins single-season recordholder for assists (60 in 2005-06)

Griffins single-playoff recordholder for assists (16 in 2006) and points (22 in 2006)


GRIFFINS (2003-06) 185 65 114 179 112

NHL (2003-04; 05-09; 10-15)

604 145 226 371 212


THROUGH 2014-15

FUN FACTA three-time 30-goal scorer (including one 40-goal season) with the New York Islanders, King scored the last Maple Leafs goal in Maple Leaf Gardens in 1999.

QUOTABLE

“My biggest memory is getting to the Days Inn hotel and my wife telling me that she’s pregnant with our first child. After that,

everything about the town was just really good. I had a good

feeling that this was a place where I could play my game and just be

me. I felt very comfortable there.”– Derek King, on coming to

Grand Rapids after 830 games in the NHL

“I have so much respect for Kinger,

just the way he approached the game when he was finishing up his career in Grand Rapids after all that he accomplished in the

NHL. He still worked hard, did all the right things and never had

the attitude that he shouldn’t be here. I may have been the captain,

but he ran our team. He was the leader.”

– Travis Richards

DEREKKINGLeft Wing6-0, 205 lbs.Born 2/11/67 Hamilton, Ontario


GRIFFINS (1999-01; 02-04)

264 73 130 203 83

NHL (1986-00) 830 261 351 612 417

HONOR ROLL2000-01 IHL Regular Season Champion

2000-01 IHL Scoring Champion (co-winner)

2000-01 IHL First Team All-Star

1999-00 IHL Turner Cup Finalist

Griffins career playoff leader in assists (25) and points (41)

NY Islanders’ 2nd choice, 13th overall, in 1985 NHL Entry Draft

WHERE IS HE NOW?King, an assistant coach with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies the past six seasons,

is now the assistant coach for the Owen Sound Attack in the Ontario Hockey League.12

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BRINGING OUT A GROUP IS EASY!Discounts start at 10 ticketsCompany Outings & Suite RentalsFundraising OpportunitiesBirthday Parties

griffinshockey.com/groupor call 616.774.4585 ext 4

FUN FACTThe veteran Red Wings defenseman has his own entry in the online Urban Dictionary. Kronwalled is “a sudden change in orientation from vertical to horizontal, due to contact with a body or substance of great influence.”

QUOTABLE

“When I came over here (from Sweden), I wasn’t good enough to play with the big guys in Detroit. I realized I had to work on my game

and the lockout year (2004-05) was the best thing that could have happened to me because it meant lots of ice time and I got to play in all situations and was able to gain confidence. I learned how to play, how to practice, how to workout,

how to eat and sleep. I needed my time in Grand Rapids.”

– Niklas Kronwall

“From the very first day, Nik had

a certain maturity to his game that other rookies didn’t. He

approached every practice and the games as a professional – ‘this is my career, this is how I work my

craft’ – and you could see that he was going to get to the NHL sooner

than later and that he was going to stay there a long time.”

– Former Griffins head coach and player Danton Cole

NIKLAS KRONWALLDefenseman6-0, 187 lbs.Born 1/12/81 Stockholm, Sweden


GRIFFINS (2003-06) 102 15 51 66 73

NHL (2003-04; 05-15)

674 71 268 339 426

HONOR ROLL2014 Olympic Silver Medalist

2010 Olympian

2007-08 NHL Stanley Cup Champion

2006 Olympic Gold Medalist

2004-05 AHL Outstanding Defenseman

2004-05 AHL First Team All-Star



2004 AHL All-Star Game (Selected, DNP)


THROUGH 2014-15

WHERE IS HE NOW?Now in his 12th season in Detroit, Kronwall is a Red Wings assistant captain, the team’s

top defenseman and one of the leaders alongside Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. 14

QUOTABLE

“It’s hard to explain, but for that one year, the stars aligned.

I remember the team set it up where I would give $100 per goal

to a school for their gym clock. When I went there at the end of

the season to present a check for $5,600, they were like, ‘WOW!’

Needless to say, they were pretty happy.”

– Donald MacLean, on scoring 56 goals during 2005-06

“He was gifted with this amazing

shot. He had this crazy hook on his stick so when he shot the

puck, it was more off the heel twist than the middle of the blade, which enabled him to

get the puck up quick and fast. That year he could shoot from anywhere and it went in. He

couldn’t miss.”– Former Griffins GM

Bob McNamara, on MacLean’s MVP season

FUN FACTMacLean and his wife Suzanne bought their Daisy pup in Grand Rapids and named their pet, now 10 years old, Charlie Griffin.

WHERE IS HE NOW?MacLean is in his first season as an assistant coach for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

in the Ontario Hockey League after coaching the past three years in Eastern Europe.15

DONALDMacLEaNLeft Wing6-3, 215 lbs.Born 1/14/77 Sydney, Nova Scotia

HONOR ROLL2005-06 AHL Regular Season Champion

2005-06 AHL MVP

2005-06 AHL Top Goal Scorer (co-winner)



2001-02 AHL Top Scorer (St. John’s)

2002 AHL All-Star Game (St. John’s)

Griffins career leader in shooting percentage (0.188)

Griffins single-season recordholder for goals (56 in 2005-06), hat tricks (5 in 2005-06), consecutive games with a goal (8 in 2005-06), consecutive games with a point (19 in 2005-06), power play goals (21 in 2005-06), unassisted goals (5 in 2005-06) and shooting percentage (0.207 in 2005-06)


GRIFFINS (1998-99; 05-06)

104 62 45 107 71

NHL (1997-98; 00-02; 03-04; 05-07)

41 8 5 13 6

Los Angeles’ 2nd choice, 33rd overall, in 1995 NHL Entry Draft

FUN FACTMrazek’s goaltending coach in junior hockey was Tom Dempsey, who mentored not only former Griffins netminder Marc Lamothe, but also Stanley Cup winners Marc-Andre Fleury and Dominic Hasek.

QUOTABLE

“I think it helped my career. I think the Red Wings organization

looked at me differently after that. It was like, ‘Here’s a kid who won a Cup - maybe he’ll be an NHL

goalie in a couple of years.’”– Petr Mrazek, on the impact

of winning the Calder Cup as a rookie

“In the most pressurized moments,

Petr doesn’t get nervous. He’s confident and he just plays. In

fact, he enjoys the pressure, and that’s a rare quality in human

beings.”– Former Griffins head coach

Jeff Blashill

PETR MRAZEKGoaltender6-1, 187 lbs.Born 2/14/92 Ostrava, Czech Republic

HONOR ROLL2014-15 Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year




Griffins career playoff leader in goalie games played (34), minutes (2030:50), wins (20), shutouts (4) and saves (891)

Griffins single-playoff recordholder for goalie games played (24 in 2013), minutes played (1431:18 in 2013), wins (15 in 2013), shutouts (4 in 2013) and saves (603 in 2013)

Detroit’s 5th choice, 141st overall, in 2010 NHL Entry Draft

CAREER TOTALS GP Record SO SV% GAA

GRIFFINS (2012-15) 87 54-27-3 7 0.920 2.21

NHL (2012-15) 40 19-14-0 5 0.920 2.23

WHERE IS HE NOW?Mrazek, who in 2012-13 became the second goalie in history to win his NHL, AHL and ECHL

debuts in the same season, is poised to challenge for the No. 1 goaltending job in Detroit this season after serving as the Red Wings’ starter during the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

THROUGH 2014-15

16

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ONLY $15!Visit griffinshockey.com/kidsclub to sign up

FUN FACTNeil’s 893 NHL games played are the most accumulated by any player after his days as a Griffin. He and his wife, Caitlin, are honorary co-chairs for Roger’s House, a pediatric care facility in Ottawa.

QUOTABLE

“There was an older group of guys like Derek King, Ed

Patterson, the Millers (Kip and Kevin) and Travis Richards who took you under their wing and

showed you the ropes. Those guys were good role models for me. I loved playing there. You

could see how the team and organization had helped revive

the city. It was an incredible spot to play.”

– Chris Neil, on what Grand Rapids meant early in his

career

“He was raw, a little young

and rambunctious. There were moments where I just shook my

head. At one point, I told him, ‘If you’re back in this league

next year, I’m going to kill you myself.’”

– Derek King, on Neil’s unbridled exuberance for

dropping his gloves

CHRISNEILRight Wing6-1, 213 lbs.Born 6/18/79 Markdale, Ontario


GRIFFINS (1999-01) 129 24 31 55 655

NHL (2001-04; 05-15)

893 106 127 233 2,294

HONOR ROLL2000-01 IHL Regular Season Champion

1999-00 IHL Turner Cup Finalist

Ottawa’s 7th choice, 161st overall, in 1998 NHL Entry Draft

WHERE IS HE NOW?Neil, currently in his 14th season with the Ottawa Senators, entered 2015-16 with 2,294 penalty minutes, tied for 34th among the

NHL’s all-time penalty minutes leaders. The only other active player in the Top 100 is Zdeno Chara (#97, 1,638 PIM).

THROUGH 2014-15

18

FUN FACTThe first player signed by the Griffins for their inaugural season in 1996-97, Nelson is said to be able to do a mean impression of Quint, the seasoned shark hunter from the movie “Jaws.”

QUOTABLE

“The first season in Grand Rapids was just electric. Being

part of bringing pro hockey back to the city was really

special. We had sellout crowds almost every night – the fan

support was just unbelievable. My time playing in Grand

Rapids was nothing but fun.” – Todd Nelson

“I knew him from his one year

in Cleveland and he was a qood puck-moving defenseman, but the important thing to me was his character. When you think

about building a team, you want to build it around good

citizens and quality people and he was the very first guy that I thought of. For us, he was a

good fit on the ice and an even better fit off the ice.”– Former Griffins GM Bob McNamara, on

signing Nelson

WHERE IS HE NOW?Nelson became the 10th head coach in Griffins history this summer after spending the previous five seasons in the AHL behind

the bench with the Oklahoma City Barons. He finished last season as the interim head coach of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers.19

TODDNELSONDefenseman6-0, 200 lbs.Born 5/15/69 Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

HONOR ROLL1999-00 IHL Turner Cup Finalist

1999-00 IHL Plus/Minus Player of the Year

1993-94 AHL Calder Cup Champion (Portland)


GRIFFINS (1996-98; 99-00; 01-02)

236 11 56 67 123

NHL (1991-92; 93-94)

3 1 0 1 2

Pittsburgh’s 4th choice, 79th overall, in 1989 NHL Entry Draft

FUN FACTNyquist’s overtime game-winning goal against the Ottawa Senators, in which he circled the zone three times for 28 seconds, was named TSN’s Play of the Year for 2014-15. He finished second in voting behind teammate Tomas Tatar a year earlier.

QUOTABLE

“To become a Red Wing, you got to learn how to win. When

you talk to guys who have played in the league 10-12

years and never been close to winning a championship, you realize how tough it is to win,

so it was a great experience for us young guys. There were lots of great times. I’ll never forget the year that we won the Cup. It’s something I’ll remember

forever.”– Gustav Nyquist, on the

Griffins’ 2012-13 Calder Cup season

“When Nyquist was sent back to Grand Rapids (to start the

2013-14 season), he handled it with great class. He was a great

example for the rest of our team about how to be selfless and show great character. As a result, he really earned the

respect of his teammates.”– Former Griffins head coach

Jeff Blashill

GUSTAVNYQUISTLeft Wing5-11, 185 lbs.Born 9/1/89 Halmstad, Sweden


GRIFFINS (2010-14) 137 53 90 143 60

NHL (2011-15) 179 59 56 115 44

HONOR ROLL2014 Olympic Silver Medalist







Detroit’s 3rd choice, 121st overall, in 2008 NHL Entry Draft

WHERE IS HE NOW?The Red Wings signed Nyquist to a four-year, $19 million contract this summer, citing his

homegrown talent as a building block to cement Detroit’s future.

THROUGH 2014-15

20

keep the conversation

going with

Stop by the #GriffinsSocial Lounge behind Section 224 on game nights to

charge your phone, connect to free wifi, see your social media posts

displayed on our TV and much more!Download the official Griffins iPhone and Android app to stay connected with the Griffins on the go!

@griffinshockey

Tweet your photos with #GoGRG and your posts could be displayed on the video

board during the game!

WHERE IS HE NOW?Picard is an amateur scout for the St. Louis Blues.

FUN FACTAfter winning the Calder Cup with the Griffins, Pare lifted the Gagarin Cup as a member of the 2014 KHL champion Metallurg Magnitogorsk.

QUOTABLE

“You want to be remembered as a hockey player, but more

importantly as a good human being. After staying with the

same team for five years, hopefully I did something

good. The city will always be in my heart.”

– Francis Pare, on what Grand Rapids means to him

“Frankie was one of the most passionate players I’ve ever

played with. Everybody loved him. During our playoff run, he had that fire of emotion, but he

was focused.”– Jeff Hoggan

FRANCISPARERight Wing5-10, 191 lbs.Born 6/30/87 Lemoyne, Quebec


GRIFFINS (2008-13) 363 102 135 237 138

HONOR ROLL2012-13 AHL Calder Cup Champion


WHERE IS HE NOW?Pare, who ranks among the Griffins’ top-three all time in games played, goals, assists and points,

is enjoying his third KHL season in Russia. He now plays for Chelyabinsk Traktor.

THROUGH 2014-15

22

FUN FACTPicard played hockey for five more seasons after his final year in Grand Rapids (2003-04), playing in a professional league in Quebec until he was nearly 40.

QUOTABLE

“When I get done playing hockey, I want to be able to say that I did my best for the team. I want people to say that when Picard was on our team, he did everything he could. He played

well for us.”– Michel Picard, about his

approach to the game, in 1999

“I used to marvel at Pic in

practice. He was an absolute, 100% natural goal scorer. He

would score and score and score. He could score goals,

period. He was so fun to watch. He was my roommate for a

long time. He didn’t say much, but when he did, it was really,

really funny or really, really important.”

– Former Griffins captain Travis Richards

WHERE IS HE NOW?Picard is an amateur scout for the St. Louis Blues.

MICHELPICARDLeft Wing5-11, 190 lbs.Born 11/7/69 Beauport, Quebec


GRIFFINS (1996-00; 02-04)

364 158 222 380 221

NHL (1990-93; 94-96; 97-01)

166 28 42 70 103

HONOR ROLL2002-03 AHL Second Team All-Star1999-00 IHL Turner Cup Finalist1998 IHL All-Star Game1996-97 IHL First Team All-Star1997 IHL All-Star Game (Starter)1996 AHL All-Star Game (Prince Edward Island)1995 AHL All-Star Game (Prince Edward Island)1993-94 AHL Calder Cup Champion (Portland)1990-91 AHL Calder Cup Champion (Springfield)Griffins career leader in goals (158), assists (222), points (380), power play goals (40), game-winning goals (26), first goals (39), unassisted goals (10, tied) and shots (1,057)Griffins single-season recordholder for games played (82 in 1996-97, tied), points (101 in 1996-97) and game-winning goals (12 in 1996-97)

Hartford’s 8th choice, 178th overall, in 1989 NHL Entry Draft

23

FUN FACTPulkkinen adopted Toto’s “Africa” as his theme song. “Everybody always asks, but there is no story,” he says. “It’s a good song, and I think it’s worked well for me.”

QUOTABLE

“I lived at home when I played for Jokerit (Helsinki), so it

was my first time away from Finland. It was exciting. Grand

Rapids was great for me because I was learning how to

play North American hockey on the smaller ice surface.”– Teemu Pulkkinen, on making the transition

to the AHL

“Teemu loves to score but he

also loves to win. Goal scorers can sometimes be selfish and

care more about their personal success, but Teemu is the

opposite. Certainly he wants to be a factor in hockey games,

but ultimately he wants to win.”

– Former Griffins head coach Jeff Blashill, on Pulkkinen’s

love of the game

TEEMUPULKKINENRight Wing5-10, 185 lbs.Born 1/2/92 Vantaa, Finland

HONOR ROLL2014-15 AHL Top Goal Scorer





Griffins career playoff leader in goals (22) and power play goals (9)

Detroit’s 4th choice, 111th overall, in 2010 NHL Entry Draft


GRIFFINS (2012-15) 119 65 56 121 66

NHL (2013-15) 34 5 3 8 12THROUGH 2014-15

WHERE IS HE NOW?Pulkkinen, who last year became the first player since 2009-10 to lead the AHL in goals during both the regular season

and playoffs, is expected to establish himself as a full-time Red Wing during the 2015-16 campaign.24

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GRIFFINS

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FUN FACTHis brother, Todd Richards, is the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

QUOTABLE

“I tried to do things the right way – work hard, be

professional. When I got to be age 27 or 28, I became the old veteran guy who (former

Griffins general manager) Bob McNamara wanted around to help the younger players. And then, I was that guy for a long time. I never entertained the

idea about going any place else because Grand Rapids is the best city in minor league

hockey.”– Travis Richards, on playing 655 games in a Griffins jersey

“There’s only one jersey

hanging in the rafters (of Van Andel Arena) and that

speaks volumes for his play. The reason he had such a long tenure here was not only was

he a consistent, steady hockey player but he was also a leader

and a glue-guy in the room. Richie had great character – a lot of players looked up to him – and that’s why he stuck here

as long as he did.”– Griffins head coach

Todd Nelson, on Richards’ longevity

TRAVISRICHARDSDefenseman6-1, 195 lbs.Born 3/22/70 Crystal, Minn.

HONOR ROLLOnly Griffin to have his jersey number (24) retiredCaptain: 2001-042005-06 AHL Regular Season Champion 2003-04 Griffins Man of the Year2004 AHL All-Star Game (Captain)2000-01 IHL Regular Season Champion 2000-01 IHL Second Team All-Star2001 IHL All-Star Game (Selected, DNP)1999-00 IHL Turner Cup Finalist1994 OlympianGriffins career leader in games played (655) and plus-minus rating (+131)Griffins career playoff leader in games played (59)Griffins single-season recordholder for games played (82 in 1998-99, tied) and shootout attempts (16 in 1997-98)

Minnesota North Stars’ 6th choice, 169th overall, in 1988 NHL Entry Draft


GRIFFINS (1996-06) 655 56 182 238 502

NHL (1994-96) 3 0 0 0 2

WHERE IS HE NOW?Richards manages and is co-owner of Southside Ice Arena in Byron Center, Mich.

26

FUN FACTNot yet the Giorgio Armani of hockey, he launched his own Tomas Tatar Signature Series, a collection of custom-designed hockey fashion items and accessories.

QUOTABLE

“At 18, I was the youngest player in the league and life in

the U.S. was something new for me. Looking back, Grand Rapids was the best for me. Over the years, I met a lot of

great people there. It felt like home. Even now,

I miss the city.”– Tomas Tatar, on joining

the Griffins in 2009-10 as a teenager from Slovakia

“Tomas is a special person. He

enjoys being a professional hockey player and he has

a great energy level about him. For a guy who’s a

little undersized, he has a real toughness. He’s highly

competitive and he wants the puck on his stick. His skill set is elite and I’ve enjoyed watching

him bring his game to a high level on a consistent basis.”

– Former Griffins head coach Jeff Blashill

WHERE IS HE NOW?Now in his third full season in Hockeytown, Tatar – who became the first Detroit draft pick to begin the

season with the Griffins in the same year he was drafted – hopes to increase the team-leading 29 goals he scored during the Red Wings’ 2014-15 campaign. 27

TOMASTATARLeft Wing5-10, 186 lbs.Born 12/1/90 Ilava, Slovakia


GRIFFINS (2009-13) 265 87 109 196 152

NHL (2010-11; 12-15) 182 53 50 103 62

HONOR ROLL2014 Olympian


2012-13 AHL Playoff MVP

Griffins single-playoff recordholder for goals (16 in 2013), power play goals (7 in 2013), first goals (3 in 2013) and shots (78 in 2013)

Detroit’s 2nd choice, 60th overall, in 2009 NHL Entry Draft

THROUGH 2014-15

PLAYER ...........................POSITION ................SEASONSAbdelkader, Justin ............................. C .......................................2008-10Adams, Bryan .....................................LW .....................................2002-03Adams, John ........................................D.......................................2005-06Adams, Kevyn ...................................... C .......................................1996-97Afanasenkov, Dmitry ......................LW .....................................2001-02Alban, Chad ..........................................G ..........................2000-01;02-03Aldridge, Keith ....................................D.......................................2000-01Allison, Scott .......................................LW .....................................1996-97Almquist, Adam* ...............................D.......................................2011-14Amadio, Greg ......................................D..........................2004-06;10-12Andersson, Joakim* ......................... C ..........................2008-09;10-13Angel, Brett ...........................................D.......................................2005-06Armstrong, Bill ...................................LW .....................................1996-97Armstrong, Riley...............................RW .....................................2009-10Ashe, Tom ..............................................D.......................................1997-99Athanasiou, Andreas ........................ C .......................................2013-15Atherton, P.J. ........................................D.......................................2008-09Aubry, Louis-Marc* ........................... C .......................................2011-15Avery, Sean ........................................... C .......................................2002-03Axelsson, Dick ....................................LW .....................................2009-10Ayers, Mike ............................................G .......................................2004-05Backman, Mattias ..............................D.......................................2013-15Bala, Chris .............................................LW .....................................2001-02Ballantyne, Paul ..................................D.......................................2002-05Barnes, Ryan ........................................LW .....................................2002-05Barnes, Tyler ..........................................F .......................................2014-15Barney, Scott ......................................RW .....................................2006-07Baseggio, Dave ...................................D.......................................1999-00Batyrshin, Ruslan................................D.......................................1997-98Baxter, Jim .............................................D.......................................2003-04Bayrack, Mike ......................................LW .....................................2001-02Beaubien, Frederick ..........................G .......................................1999-00Beckett, Jason......................................D.......................................2006-07Bednar, Jared .......................................D.......................................1998-99Berens, Sean ......................................... C .......................................2000-01Berkhoel, Adam ..................................G .......................................2007-08Berschbach, Shane..........................RW .....................................2014-15Bertuzzi, Tyler .....................................LW .....................................2014-15Bicanek, Radim ...................................D.......................................1998-99Billins, Chad* ........................................D.......................................2012-13Bilotto, Nic .............................................D.......................................2003-04

PLAYER ...........................POSITION ................SEASONSBjork, Anders ....................................... C .......................................1998-99Black, James .......................................RW .....................................2001-02Blanchard, Sean ..................................D.......................................2000-01Blouin, Jean ........................................RW .....................................1996-97Boileau, Patrick....................................D.......................................2002-03Boisvert, Hugo .................................... C .......................................2001-04Boivin, Claude ....................................LW .....................................1997-98Bonello, Brad ........................................ C .......................................2005-06Bonis, Kyle ..............................................F .......................................2014-15Bonni, Ryan ..........................................D.......................................2003-04Bootland, Darryl ...............................RW .....................................2002-07Bouchard, Joel.....................................D.......................................2000-01Bouchard, Robin ..............................RW .....................................2004-05Brimanis, Aris .......................................D.......................................1998-99Brisson, David ....................................RW .....................................2003-04Brookbank, Sheldon.........................D.......................................2001-03Brookbank, Wade ..............................D.......................................2001-02Brooks, Brendan ...............................RW .....................................2006-07Brown, David .......................................G .......................................2010-11Brule, Eric ...............................................D.......................................2000-01Brunnstrom, Fabian .........................LW .....................................2011-12Bruton, Chris .......................................LW .....................................2014-15Buckberger, Ashley .........................RW .....................................1998-99Bullock, Greg ........................................ C .......................................1997-98Burke, Gerry..........................................D.......................................2006-07Butsayev, Slava .................................... C .......................................1999-01Callahan, Mitch* ...........................LW/RW.................................2011-15Cameron, Scott ..................................LW .....................................2005-06Campbell, Colin ................................RW .....................................2013-15Campbell, Ed ........................................D.......................................2002-03Campbell, Jeff .....................................LW .....................................2006-07Charleston, Dan ...................................F .......................................2008-09Chaulk, Colin ........................................ C .......................................2001-02Chelios, Chris .......................................D.......................................2008-09Chouinard, Joel ...................................D.......................................2014-15Chouinard, Mathieu .........................G .......................................2000-02Ciernik, Ivan .........................................LW .....................................1999-02Cipruss, Aigars ..................................... C .......................................1996-97Clancy, Greg ......................................... C .......................................1997-98Clark, Neil..............................................LW .....................................2007-08Coetzee, Willie ...................................RW .....................................2009-13Colaiacovo, Carlo ...............................D.......................................2012-13Cole, Danton ....................................RW/C ..................................1996-00Coles, Bruce .........................................LW .....................................1998-99Collins, Rob .......................................C/RW ..................................2001-03Conklin, Ty .............................................G .......................................2011-12Conner, Chris .....................................RW .....................................2011-12Corazzini, Carl ....................................RW .....................................2007-08Coreau, Jared .......................................G .......................................2013-15Cornforth, Mark ..................................D.......................................1997-98Corpse, Keli ........................................... C .......................................1996-97Crosty, Paul .........................................D/F ....................................2009-10Crowley, Mike ......................................D.......................................2000-01Cullen, Mark ......................................... C .......................................2007-08Curtin, Luke .........................................LW .....................................1998-99Cyr, Ryan ................................................G .......................................2006-07Czarnowczan, Scott ..........................D.......................................2014-15Daavettila, Trent ................................LW .....................................2009-11DaCosta, Jeff ........................................D.......................................2000-01Dahlman, Toni ...................................RW .....................................2001-02Daigle, Sylvain .....................................G .......................................2000-01DeKeyser, Danny* ..............................D.......................................2012-13Delmore, Andy ....................................D.......................................2009-10Demidov, Ilja ........................................D.......................................2000-02Demitra, Pavol ....................................LW .....................................1996-97DeSantis, Mark ....................................D.......................................1998-99DiCasmirro, Nate ..............................RW .....................................2005-06Dobbin, Brian ....................................RW .....................................1996-97Doig, Jason ...........................................D.......................................2001-02Dolyny, Rustyn ..................................RW .....................................2002-03Downey, Aaron .................................RW .....................................2008-09

PLAYER ...........................POSITION ................SEASONSDrevitch, Scott.....................................D.......................................1997-98Eaton, Mark ..........................................D.......................................2004-05Eaves, Patrick .....................................RW .....................................2013-14Edwardson, Derek ............................. C .......................................2004-05Ehrhardt, Travis ...................................D.......................................2009-12Eldred, Matt ..........................................D.......................................2002-03Elick, Mickey .........................................D.......................................1998-99Ellis, Matt ...............................................LW .....................................2003-07Emmerton, Cory .............................C/LW ......................2006-11;13-14Emmons, John .................................... C .......................................1999-01Engelhardt, Brett ..............................RW .....................................2007-08Ericsson, Jonathan ............................D.......................................2006-09Estoclet, Adam ...................................LW .....................................2011-12Evans, Brennan* .................................D.......................................2012-15Exelby, Garnet .....................................D.......................................2011-12Fair, Quinn .............................................D.......................................1996-97Feasby, Scott ........................................D.......................................1997-98Ference, Brad .......................................D.......................................2007-08Ferraro, Landon* ............................RW/C .....................2009-10;11-15Fiebelkorn, Jed ..................................RW .....................................1998-99Filppula, Ilari ......................................... C .......................................2010-11Filppula, Valtteri .................................. C .......................................2005-07Fojtik, Josef ..........................................LW .....................................2007-08Fountain, Mike ....................................G .......................................1999-01Fournier, Gleason* .............................D.......................................2011-14Frappier, Shawn ..................................D.......................................1996-97Frederick, Joe .....................................RW .....................................1998-99Frk, Martin ...........................................RW .....................................2013-15Gagnon, Aaron ................................... C .......................................2008-09Gagnon, Sean ......................................D.......................................2000-01Galvin, Tom ...........................................D.......................................2006-10Gelech, Randall .................................RW .....................................2007-09Gervais, Victor ...................................... C .......................................1996-97Giroux, Alexandre .............................. C .......................................2001-02Glendening, Luke* ............................ C .......................................2012-14Goldmann, Erich ................................D.......................................1999-00Gordon, Ian ...........................................G .......................................1996-99Gorovikov, Konstantin ..................... C .......................................1999-01Goulet, Stephane .............................RW .....................................2006-07

16 MICHIGAN STATE

13 MICHIGAN

9 NOTRE DAME

7 BOSTON COLLEGE

7 COLORADO COLLEGE

7 FERRIS STATE

7 MIAMI U.

7 MINNESOTA

7 NORTH DAKOTA

7 WISCONSIN

TOP 10 GRIFFINS BY COLLEGE

71 DETROIT

23 OTTAWA

13 PHILADELPHIA

10 EDMONTON

9 BUFFALO

9 HARTFORD

9 LOS ANGELES

9 ST. LOUIS

8 VANCOUVER

7 PITTSBURGH

DRAFTED GRIFFINSBY NHL TEAM

TOP 10

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

ALL-TIME ROSTER

28

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PLAYER ...........................POSITION ................SEASONSGove, David .......................................... C .......................................2001-02Grant, Triston* ....................................LW .....................................2012-14Greenough, Nick ..............................RW .....................................2002-03Greig, Mark .........................................RW .....................................1997-98Grigorenko, Igor ...............................RW .....................................2007-08Grimes, Kevin .......................................D.......................................1999-01Groulx, Danny .....................................D.......................................2002-05Gruden, John .......................................D.......................................1999-02Gustavsson, Jonas .............................G ..........................2012-13;14-15Hachborn, Len .................................... C .......................................1996-97Hackert, Michael ...............................LW .....................................2005-06Hall, Mike ............................................... C .......................................2000-01Hankinson, Ben ................................RW .....................................1996-97Harrold, Josh ........................................D.......................................2000-01Hartigan, Mark .................................... C .......................................2007-08Hartlieb, Ernie .....................................LW .....................................2004-05Hay, Darrell ...........................................D.......................................2007-08Haydar, Darren ..................................RW .....................................2008-09Hedden, Mike .....................................LW .....................................2010-11Helm, Darren ....................................... C ..........................2007-09;13-14Helmer, Bryan ......................................D.......................................2004-06Henkel, Jim ........................................... C .......................................2003-04Himelfarb, Eric ..................................... C .......................................2003-07Hirschfeld, Alden................................ C .......................................2013-15Hlushko, Todd.....................................LW .....................................1998-99Hnidy, Shane ........................................D..........................1997-98;00-01Hocking, Justin ...................................D.......................................2000-01Hoggan, Jeff* ......................................LW .....................................2012-15Howard, Jimmy ...................................G .......................................2005-09Hudler, Jiri...............................................F .......................................2003-06Huffman, Kerry ...................................D.......................................1997-99Hull, Jody .............................................RW .....................................2001-02Hurd, Kelly ...........................................RW .....................................1996-97Hurme, Jani ..........................................G .......................................1999-00Hussey, Marc ........................................D.......................................1998-99Hussey, Matt........................................LW .....................................2006-07Hutchins, Jeff ......................................LW .....................................2004-05Hymovitz, David ................................LW .....................................2001-02Insana, Jon ............................................D.......................................2004-08Jackson, Jim .........................................D.......................................2006-07Jackson, Todd ....................................RW .....................................2004-06Janik, Doug ...........................................D.......................................2009-12Janmark, Mattias ................................ C .......................................2013-14Jarnkrok, Calle ..................................... C .......................................2012-14Jasecko, Stanislav...............................D.......................................1996-97Jensen, Nick..........................................D.......................................2013-15Johansson, Jonas .............................RW .....................................2006-07Johnson, Cory ....................................LW .....................................1996-98Johnson, Jamie ................................... C .......................................2010-12Jorde, Ryan ...........................................D.......................................2005-06Joseph, Curtis ......................................G .......................................2003-04Jozsa, Jason ..........................................D.......................................2007-09Jurco, Tomas*.................................LW/RW.................................2012-14Kaminsky, Yan .....................................LW .....................................1998-99Karlander, Kory ............................... LW/C .........1998-00;03-05;07-08Keefe, Adam .......................................RW ........................2006-08;10-11Keller, Ryan .........................................RW .....................................2005-07Kelly, Brent ............................................ C .......................................2004-05Kelly, Chris ............................................. C .......................................2001-02Kenny, Shane .......................................D.......................................1999-00Kindl, Jakub ..........................................D..........................2005-11;14-15King, Derek ..........................................LW ........................1999-01;02-04Kinley, Cleve .........................................D.......................................2006-08Knox, Ryan ............................................D.......................................2001-03Knuble, Mike ......................................RW .....................................2012-13

PLAYER ...........................POSITION ................SEASONSKochan, Dieter ....................................G .......................................1999-00Kolanos, Krys ........................................ C .......................................2006-07Kolosov, Sergei....................................D.......................................2008-11Koopmans, Logan .............................G .......................................2005-06Kopecky, Tomas ............................LW/RW.................................2002-06Kordic, Dan ...........................................D.......................................1998-99Kroll, Johann ........................................D.......................................2009-10Kronwall, Niklas ..................................D.......................................2003-06Kruppke, Gord .....................................D.......................................1998-99Kuparinen, Mikko ..............................D.......................................1998-99Kwiatkowski, Joel ...............................D.......................................2000-02Lacher, Blaine .......................................G .......................................1996-97LaFleur, Brian .......................................D.......................................1998-99Lajeunesse, Simon ............................G .......................................2001-02Lalime, Patrick .....................................G .......................................1997-98Lambert, Judd .....................................G .......................................2000-01Lamothe, Marc ....................................G .......................................2002-04Lampl, Cody .........................................D.......................................2012-13Landry, Jon ...........................................D.......................................2010-11Langfeld, Josh ...................................RW ........................2001-02;06-07Larkin, Dylan ........................................ C .......................................2014-15Larsson, Daniel ....................................G .......................................2008-10Lashoff, Brian* .....................................D..........................2008-13;14-15Lavigne, Eric .........................................D.......................................1997-98Lebda, Brett ..........................................D.......................................2003-06Legace, Manny ....................................G .......................................2005-06Legault, Jay .........................................RW .....................................2004-05Leino, Ville ............................................LW .....................................2008-09Lemieux, Francis ...........................LW/RW.................................2007-10Lepine, Jason .......................................D.......................................2010-11Leroux, Francois ................................LW .....................................1998-99Lilja, Andreas ........................................D.......................................2009-10Lindberg, Chris ...................................LW .....................................1997-98Linden, Jamie ....................................RW .....................................1996-98Little, Neil ...............................................G .......................................1998-99Liv, Stefan ..............................................G .......................................2006-07Lojkin, Alexei .......................................LW .....................................1998-99Luciuk, Andrew ................................... C .......................................2002-03Lundbohm, Bryan ............................. C .......................................2004-05MacDonald, Joey ...............................G ..........................2002-07;10-12MacIntyre, Drew .................................G .......................................2004-06MacLean, Cail .....................................RW .....................................2000-01MacLean, Donald ........................... LW/C ......................1998-99;05-06Manlow, Eric ......................................... C .......................................2004-06Manning, Blair ..................................... C .......................................1996-98Mantha, Anthony .............................LW .....................................2014-15Marchenko, Alexey ...........................D.......................................2013-15Martens, Nick .......................................D.......................................2005-06Martins, Steve ...................................... C .......................................2001-02Mason, Wes..........................................LW .....................................2001-02Matzka, Scott ....................................... C .......................................2001-02Maurice, Mike ...................................... C ..........................1996-97;99-01May, Brad ..............................................LW .....................................2009-10Mazzoli, Pat ...........................................G .......................................1996-97McBain, Jason ......................................D.......................................1999-00McCann, Sean .....................................D.......................................1996-97McCarthy, Jeremiah ..........................D.......................................2002-03McCarty, Darren ...............................RW .....................................2007-09McCollum, Tom*.................................G .......................................2009-15McDonell, Kent .................................RW .....................................2005-06McGrath, Evan ..................................... C .......................................2006-10McIntyre, David .................................. C .......................................2013-14McSorley, Marty .................................D.......................................2000-01McSween, Don ....................................D.......................................1996-98Meech, Derek ......................................D..........................2004-08;10-11

Canada .................................257 (57.4%)United States .......................117 (26.1%)Sweden .................................... 19 (4.2%)**Czech Republic .................... 11 (2.5%)*Russia ..................................... 11 (2.5%)**Slovakia ............................... 11 (2.5%)Finland ....................................... 7 (1.6%)*Belarus ..................................... 2 (0.4%)Germany .................................... 2 (0.4%)Norway ...................................... 2 (0.4%)*Ukraine .................................... 2 (0.4%)France ........................................ 1 (0.2%)*Kazakhstan .............................. 1 (0.2%)*Latvia ....................................... 1 (0.2%)Poland ........................................ 1 (0.2%)***Slovenia ................................ 1 (0.2%)South Africa .............................. 1 (0.2%)Switzerland ............................... 1 (0.2%)

* Includes those born prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union (Russia – 10, Belarus – 2, Ukraine – 2, Kazakhstan – 1, Latvia – 1)

** Includes those born prior to the dissolution of Czechoslovakia (Slovakia – 10, Czech Republic – 9)

***Born prior to the dissolution of Yugoslavia

GRIFFINS BY BIRTH COUNTRY

448 Players

19

61

19

62

19

63

19

64

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65

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66

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68

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69

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19

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19

96

1 1 2 2 2 3 6 5 14 14 11 27 13 30 28 22 22 22 23 19 23 14 16 31 10 13 12 7 13 11 13 7 6 2 2 1

GRIFFINS BY BIRTH YEAR

BY BIRTH MONTH JANUARY 51 (11.4%)FEBRUARY 51 (11.4%)MARCH 53 (11.8%)APRIL 50 (11.2%)MAY 40 (8.9%)JUNE 33 (7.4%)JULY 30 (6.7%)AUGUST 23 (5.1%)SEPTEMBER 34 (7.6%)OCTOBER 30 (6.7%)NOVEMBER 30 (6.7%)DECEMBER 23 (5.1%)

GRIFFINS TOP BIRTHPLACESTORONTO, ONT. 15

CALGARY, ALTA. 10

MONTREAL, QUE. 7

BRAMPTON, ONT. 6

EDMONTON, ALTA. 6

REGINA, SASK. 6

DETROIT, MICH. 5

THE AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

WESTERN CONFERENCE EASTERN CONFERENCECENTRAL DIVISION ATLANTIC DIVISIONPACIFIC DIVISION

MilwaukeeAdmirals (NSH)

RockfordIceHogs (CHI)

SpringfieldFalcons (AZ)

Wilkes-Barre/ScrantonPenguins (PIT)

TexasStars (DAL)

UticaComets (VAN)

NORTH DIVISION

AlbanyDevils (NJ)

BinghamtonSenators (OTT)

BridgeportSound Tigers (NYI)

BakersfieldCondors (EDM)

CharlotteCheckers (CAR)

HartfordWolf Pack (NYR)

Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)

OntarioReign (LA)

RochesterAmericans (BUF)

ChicagoWolves (STL)

San AntonioRampage (COL)

HersheyBears (WSH)

St. John’sIceCaps (MTL)

IowaWild (MIN)

Lehigh ValleyPhantoms (PHI)

San DiegoGulls (ANA)

Lake ErieMonsters (CBJ)

TorontoMarlies (TOR)

PortlandPirates (FLA)

ProvidenceBruins (BOS)

SyracuseCrunch (TB)

ManitobaMoose (WPG)

San JoseBarracuda (SJ)

StocktonHeat (CGY)

Ambitious goals make forremarkable achievements.

CADILLAC CHARLEVOIX CHICAGO GRAND RAPIDS MARQUETTE NEGAUNEE TRAVERSE CITY

Fox Motors is proud to support the Grand Rapids Griffins.Here’s to remarkable 2015-2016 season

Congratulations Griffins on 20 remarkable years.

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PLAYER ...........................POSITION ................SEASONSMetcalfe, Jason ...................................D.......................................1999-00Metropolit, Glen ................................. C .......................................1997-99Miele, Andy ........................................... C .......................................2014-15Millar, Craig ...........................................D.......................................2000-01Miller, Kelly ...........................................LW .....................................1999-00Miller, Kevin ......................................C/RW .....................1999-00;03-04Miller, Kip ............................................... C .............2000-02;04-05;06-07Minard, Chris .......................................LW .....................................2010-12Mitera, Mark .........................................D.......................................2012-13Moss, Tyler .............................................G .......................................1996-97Mowers, Mark ..................................C/RW ..................................2002-04Moyer, Russ ...........................................D.......................................2007-08Mrazek, Petr* .......................................G .......................................2012-15Mueller, Chris ........................................F .......................................2007-08Muller, Mike ..........................................D.......................................1996-97Murphy, Joe ........................................RW .....................................2001-02Mursak, Jan* ...................................RW/LW....................2006-07;08-13Myrvold, Anders .................................D.......................................2003-04Nagle, Pat ..............................................G .......................................2014-15Nastasiuk, Zach .................................RW .....................................2013-15Naumenko, Nick .................................D.......................................2006-07Nedomansky, Vashi ........................RW .....................................1997-99Nedomlel, Richard.............................D.......................................2013-14Neil, Chris .............................................RW .....................................1999-01Nelson, Jeff ........................................... C .............1996-97;03-04;05-06Nelson, Todd ........................................D.............1996-98;99-00;01-02Nestrasil, Andrej* ...........................C/RW ..................................2011-14Newbury, Kris ...................................... C .......................................2009-10Nicastro, Max .......................................D.......................................2012-13Nightingale, Jared .............................D.......................................2014-15Nolan, Tom ............................................ C .......................................1998-99Norris, Warren ...................................... C .......................................1998-00Norton, Brad ........................................D.......................................2006-07Nosek, Tomas ....................................... C .......................................2014-15Novak, Travis .........................................F .......................................2013-14Novotney, Landon ...........................LW .....................................2007-08Nylander, Michael .............................. C .......................................2009-10Nyquist, Gustav* ..........................RW/LW.................................2010-14O’Leary, Mark ......................................LW .....................................2007-08Oliver, David .......................................RW .....................................2000-01Osgood, Chris ......................................G .......................................2005-06Oslund, Nick .......................................RW .....................................2011-12Ouellet, Xavier .....................................D.......................................2013-15Oulahen, Ryan ....................................LW .....................................2005-09Owens, Jordan ...................................LW .....................................2009-11Paetsch, Nathan* ...............................D.......................................2012-15Panzer, Jeff ............................................ C .......................................2004-05Pare, Francis*......................................RW .....................................2008-13Parillo, Nick ............................................F ..........................2002-03;04-05Parkes, Trevor .................................RW/LW.................................2011-14Parse, Scott ............................................F .......................................2006-07Patterson, Ed ......................................RW ........................1997-98;99-01Pavlikovsky, Rastislav ......................LW .....................................1999-01Pearce, Jordan* ...................................G .......................................2008-13Peterson, Brent ..................................LW .....................................1998-99Peterson, Brett.....................................D.......................................2008-09Petrovicky, Robert ............................. C .......................................1998-00Picard, Michel .....................................LW ........................1996-00;02-04Piche, Sebastien .................................D.......................................2009-12Pinfold, Dennis ....................................D.......................................1999-00Plante, Philippe ...................................D..........................1999-03;06-07Porter, Kevin ......................................... C .......................................2014-15Prusek, Martin .....................................G .......................................2001-02Pulkkinen, Teemu* ..........................RW .....................................2012-15Pyett, Logan .........................................D.......................................2008-12Quincey, Kyle .......................................D.......................................2005-08Quine, Alan ........................................... C .......................................2011-12Rachunek, Karel ..................................D.......................................1999-00Radunske, Brock ................................LW .....................................2006-07Raedeke, Brent .................................... C ..........................2008-09;10-13Ramsay, Bruce ....................................LW .....................................1996-99Rankin, Evan .......................................RW .....................................2010-11Reddick, Pokey ....................................G .......................................1996-98Redenbach, Tyler ............................... C .......................................2007-08Reid, Shawn ..........................................D.......................................1997-98Remackel, Chad .................................LW .....................................1996-97Rennette, Tyler .................................... C .......................................2003-04Richards, Travis ....................................D.......................................1996-06Richardson, Bryan ............................. C .......................................2001-02Rissmiller, Patrick ................................ C .......................................2009-10Ritola, Mattias .....................................LW .....................................2007-10Rivers, Jamie .........................................D..........................2000-01;03-04Roberts, Dave .....................................LW .....................................2000-01Robinson, Nathan.......................... LW/C ...................................2002-05Robinson, Todd ................................... C .......................................2004-05

PLAYER ...........................POSITION ................SEASONSRoest, Stacy .......................................... C .......................................2002-03Rogers, Kyle ........................................RW .....................................2010-11Rohlfs, David ......................................RW .....................................2009-10Royer, Gaetan ....................................RW .....................................1998-99Ruchty, Matt ........................................LW .....................................1996-99Rudkowsky, Cody ..............................G .......................................2007-08Rufenach, Bryan .................................D.......................................2011-12Ruid, J.C. ................................................LW .....................................2001-02Rumble, Darren ..................................D.......................................1998-00Rybovic, Lubomir ..............................LW .....................................1996-97Ryno, Johan .........................................LW .....................................2007-08Samuelsson, Mikael ........................RW .....................................2013-14Sarault, Yves ........................................LW .....................................1999-00Sasseville, Francois ............................ C .......................................1998-99Schastlivy, Petr ...................................LW .....................................1999-02Schneekloth, Aaron ..........................D.......................................2002-04Shafranov, Konstantin ...................RW .....................................1999-00Shannon, Darrin ................................LW .....................................1998-99Sheahan, Riley* ................................... C .......................................2011-14Shevalier, Jeff ......................................LW .....................................1999-00Shockey, Jonathan ............................D.......................................2001-02Simon, Ben ...........................................LW .....................................2006-07Simon, Darcy........................................D.......................................1996-98Skarperud, Tim ..................................RW .....................................2001-04Skinner, Brett* .....................................D.......................................2012-13Sloan, Blake ........................................RW .....................................2003-05Smith, Adam ........................................D.......................................1998-99Smith, Brendan ...................................D.......................................2010-13Smith, Dan ............................................D.......................................2006-07Smith, Darin ........................................LW .....................................1996-97Solari, Kelvin ........................................LW .....................................1996-97Spady, Erik .............................................D.......................................2012-13Spezza, Jason ....................................... C .......................................2001-02Spiridonov, Maxim ..........................RW .....................................1997-99Sproul, Ryan .........................................D.......................................2012-15Sryubko, Andrei ..................................D.......................................1999-00Stafford, Garrett ..................................D.......................................2007-09Stewart, Bobby ................................... C .......................................2000-01Stokes, Ryan .........................................D.......................................2009-10Straub, Brandon ...............................RW .....................................2010-11Sullivan, Brian ....................................RW .....................................1997-98Syvret, Danny ......................................D.......................................2006-07Szysky, Chris .......................................RW .....................................1998-02Tallaire, Sean ......................................RW .....................................1997-99Tardif, Jamie........................................RW .....................................2006-11Tatar, Tomas* .......................................LW .....................................2009-13Thomas, Mike .....................................LW .....................................2011-12Tollefsen, Ole-Kristian ......................D.......................................2009-10Tootoo, Jordin ...................................RW .....................................2013-14Torquato, Zack .................................... C .......................................2007-09Traverse, Patrick ..................................D.......................................1996-97Trboyevich, Dean ...............................D.......................................1996-98Tremblay, J.F. ........................................D.......................................2000-01Tucker, Travis ........................................D.......................................1997-99Turple, Dan ...........................................G .......................................2007-08Tvrdon, Marek ....................................LW .....................................2013-15Ulmer, Jeff ...........................................RW .....................................2001-02Van Drunen, Dave .............................D.......................................1999-04Vandermeer, Peter ...........................LW .....................................2004-05Vasilevski, Alex ..................................RW .....................................1996-97Vasilyev, Andrei ..................................LW .....................................1998-99Vauclair, Julien .....................................D.......................................2001-02Vicari, Dominic ....................................G .......................................2006-07Vigilante, John ......................................F .......................................2009-10Vilneff, Mark .........................................D.......................................1997-98Virtue, Terry ..........................................D.......................................2005-06Voce, Tony ............................................LW .....................................2006-07Wallace, Buddy ................................... C .......................................1999-00Walsh, Mike ....................................LW/RW.................................2006-10Watt, Mike ............................................LW .....................................2006-07Weaver, Jason .....................................LW .....................................1997-99Weiss, Stephen .................................... C .......................................2014-15White, Todd .......................................... C .......................................2000-01Whitecotton, Dustin ......................... C .......................................2001-03Williams, Jason .................................... C .......................................2002-03Williams, Jeremy...............................RW .....................................2009-10Wilson, Clay ..........................................D.......................................2005-06Wilson, Landon ..................................LW .....................................2008-09Wong, Brandon ...................................F .......................................2009-10Wood, Derek ........................................ C .......................................2000-01Yule, Steve .............................................D.......................................1996-97Zengerle, Mark ..................................RW .....................................2014-15

* 2013 Calder Cup ChampionThrough 2014-15 Season

AMERICAN-BORN GRIFFINS BY STATE 117 PLAYERS

Michigan 33 (28.2%)

Minnesota 21 (17.9%)

Massachusetts 16 (13.7%)

New York 10 (8.5%)

Illinois 9 (7.7%)

California 5 (4.3%)

Ohio 4 (3.4%)

Alaska 2 (1.7%)

Connecticut 2 (1.7%)

North Dakota 2 (1.7%)

Pennsylvania 2 (1.7%)

Wisconsin 2 (1.7%)

Colorado 1 (0.9%)

Delaware 1 (0.9%)

District of Columbia 1 (0.9%)

Georgia 1 (0.9%)

Idaho 1 (0.9%)

Missouri 1 (0.9%)

New Jersey 1 (0.9%)

Texas 1 (0.9%)

Virginia 1 (0.9%)

CANADIAN-BORN GRIFFINS BY PROVINCE 257 PLAYERS

Ontario 118 (45.9%)

Quebec 38 (14.8%)

Alberta 32 (12.5%)

British Columbia 23 (8.9%)

Saskatchewan 23 (8.9%)

Manitoba 11 (4.3%)

Nova Scotia 7 (2.7%)

New Brunswick 3 (1.2%)

Newfoundland 1 (0.4%)

Prince Edward Island 1 (0.4%)

32

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