Grand Rapids Griffins

The Grand Rapids Griffins are a minor league ice hockey team that plays in the North Division of the American Hockey League. The Griffins began play in the 1996-97 season as a member of the International Hockey League. The team played in the IHL for five seasons, advancing to the playoffs four times and to the championship round once.http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_standings.php?tmi=5901

The IHL folded at the conclusion of the 2000-01 season. After the league went out of business, Grand Rapids decided to enter the AHL as an expansion franchise. The team began play in the AHL in the 2001-02 season. The next year, the Griffins signed an affiliate agreement with the Detroit Red Wings. Grand Rapids has been the minor league affiliate for Detroit since the 2002-03 season.http://hockeydb.com/stte/grand-rapids-griffins-5898.html

2009-10 Season

The Griffins finished in last place in the North Division during the 2009-10 season. Their record at the end of the year was 34-39-3-4, which was good enough for 75 points in the standings. Their record was tied for third-worst in the AHL.http://theahl.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=standings&season_id=30

Jeremy Williams was the team's leading scorer during the season. He led the team with 32 goals and 63 points. Doug Janik was the team's highest scoring defenseman. Janik tied for the team lead in assists with 31 and had a total of 37 points. Grand Rapids' leading goaltender was Daniel Larsson. Larsson finished the season with a record of 23-24-2. He had a goals against average of 2.85 and a save percentage of .903.http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0026752010.html

Grand Rapids Players Who Played in the NHL

Since the 2002-03 season, many players for the Detroit Red Wings have started their playing careers with the Griffins. Goaltender Jimmy Howard played in Grand Rapids for four seasons before debuting in the NHL with the Red Wings.http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/h/howarja02.html Center Valtteri Fippula scored 71 points in one season with the Griffins before being called up to Detroit.http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/f/filppva01.html Winger Ville Leino also played one season in Grand Rapids prior to debuting in the NHL with the Red Wings.http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/l/leinovi01.html

Griffin Player Aaron Downey Mic'd Up

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Aaron Downey Mic'd Up - AHL Grand R...

source: www.youtube.com

During a game with the Manitoba Moose, Griffins defenseman Aaron Downey was given a microphone to wear. Throughout the game, viewers can hear Downey as he communicates with his teammates on and off the ice. They also get a look at how Downey prepares himself for a game and plays his position on the ice.