griffinshockey.com - Griffins Features http://griffinshockey.com/ Infinity Site Manager en-us Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:22:00 http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/features/?article_id=2543 The storybook ending always has the home team coming back to pull off a dramatic win in front of a packed house. It didn’t go that way for the Griffins, but on the eve of their 100th game of the 2012-13 season, their mantra won’t change as the Calder Cup Finals head back to Syracuse. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:45:00 http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/features/?article_id=2539 This year’s playoff run is especially satisfying for a number of long-running Griffins. For the likes of Francis Pare, Brian Lashoff and Jan Mursak, who have appeared in at least parts of five and six seasons in Grand Rapids, along with Tomas Tatar and Joakim Andersson, it's the culmination of years of hard work. Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:14:00 http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/features/?article_id=2537 Their beards, like their personal development as players, are a work in progress. The playoff grooming of the youngest Griffins may not be the most suave or smoothest, but the growth shown by the team’s first-year players on the way to the Calder Cup Finals has been remarkable. Sun, 9 Jun 2013 09:49:00 http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/features/?article_id=2534 Veteran Griffins players realize they are facing an opportunity that doesn’t come along very often, if ever. Captain Jeff Hoggan can share his experience from a championship run in 2003, but for other veterans like Brennan Evans, Triston Grant and Nathan Paetsch, this is a new opportunity. Tue, 21 May 2013 13:54:00 http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/features/?article_id=2516 Among the many contributors in the Griffins' postseason return is Teemu Pulkkinen, one of several Red Wings prospects to join the team in the last month. Having already made a name for himself in Finland -- including a shot that earned its own nickname -- he hopes that he'll make North American fans take notice of his game soon. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:46:00 http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/features/?article_id=2493 Jeff Hoggan has led by example this season as the captain of the Griffins, and his contributions helped the team enter the postseason with momentum. As the only former Calder Cup champion on the roster, the team will lean on him for advice as they enter the playoffs. Tue, 2 Apr 2013 09:31:00 http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/features/?article_id=2454 Calle Jarnkrok grew up idolizing the Red Wings, and in late March he took the next step to joining his favorite team by joining the Griffins to adjust to North American hockey. After a whirlwind first few days, he's acclimating on and off the ice and hoping to deliver on high expectations. Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:01:00 http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/features/?article_id=2446 Not many players have done as well in the NCAA tournament as defenseman Brett Skinner. In fact, in 17 years of the Griffins, only one other player comes close to matching Skinner’s collegiate résumé. Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:59:00 http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/features/?article_id=2444 Former Michigan Wolverine Luke Glendening had his fair share of NCAA appearances during his college days. Familiar with the full spectrum of experiences that the tournament has to offer, Glendening understands the mentality the players need to adopt as they hit the ice this weekend. Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:43:00 http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/features/?article_id=2440 Prior to turning professional with the Griffins, Riley Sheahan was a member of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, contributing to the program's rise to one of the nation's top teams. Although they fell short in the Frozen Four, he feels the experience helped him prepare for this season. Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:54:00 http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/features/?article_id=2439 Red Wings fans have gotten a long look at many top Griffins players this season, showcasing the depth throughout the organization. That depth doesn't just end with the top group, though, as Louis-Marc Aubry is among a handful of players hoping to be part of the next wave to the NHL. Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:07:00 http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/features/?article_id=2430 Chad Billins has had a rookie season full of surprises with the Griffins, but to fans of the collegiate game, his success didn’t come out of nowhere. Last year, Billins was at the center of college hockey’s biggest stage, leading Ferris State to the national championship game. Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:20:00 http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/features/?article_id=2420 In his eight professional seasons, Brett Skinner has suited up for 15 different teams, spanning six countries, 10 states (and one province) and seven NHL organizations. But the new Griffins blueliner is right where he wants to be, helping the team march towards the playoffs. Fri, 8 Mar 2013 11:35:00 http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/features/?article_id=2416 First-year head coach Jeff Blashill has his Griffins in good shape to make the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs, as the club sits among the top seeds in the Western Conference with just over 20 games to play. But it’s not the first time Blashill has coached a team to success in West Michigan. Mon, 4 Mar 2013 13:18:00 http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/features/?article_id=2413 After an injury-plagued stint with the Red Wings, Jan Mursak is back in Grand Rapids and hopes to work his way back to the NHL. Armed with a positive attitude and renewed confidence thanks to his dominance during the lockout, he's ready to help the Griffins reach the playoffs.