Tag: Grand Rapids Griffins

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Grand Rapids Griffins announce major changes

Grand Rapids Griffins

Both the Detroit Red Wings and their American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins have concluded their seasons, and the latter has made the choice to undergo some big time changes in team personnel. 

This afternoon, the Griffins announced on Twitter that they are parting ways with several members of the coaching staff, including head coach Ben Simon, assistant coaches Matt Macdonald, Todd Krygier and goaltending development coach Brian Mahoney-Wilson.

“Grand Rapids Griffins general manager and Detroit Red Wings assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff announced today that the Red Wings will not renew the contracts of Griffins head coach Ben Simon, assistant coaches Matt MacDonald and Todd Krygier, and goaltending development coach Brian Mahoney-Wilson.” 

Simon took over as the 11th head coach in Griffins history in 2018 after having already served three years as an assistant coach under Todd Nelson. 

Grand Rapids finished with a record of 28-36-4-4 this season. 

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Red Wings announce another emergency roster move

Grand Rapids Griffins

The Detroit Red Wings were forced to call up forward Taro Hirose from the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins prior to yesterday’s home finale against the Dallas Stars. Tonight, prior to their second to last game of the 2022-23 NHL season, they’ve announced another emergency roster move. 

Forward Danny O’Regan has been brought up from the Griffins, while defenseman Simon Edvinsson has been returned to the club (as originally planned in order to avoid a year coming off his three year entry level contract). 

Oringally drafted 138th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2012 NHL Draft, O’Regan would eventually be dealt to the Buffalo Sabres in the trade that saw controversial forward Evander Kane head to San Jose. He’d later play within the New York Rangers and Vegas Golden Knights organizations before signing with the Anaheim Ducks in 2021. 

 Ducks traded O’Regan to the Red Wings in exchange for Michael Del Zotto in December of 2022. In 37 games with the Griffins this season, O’Regan has scored 14 goals along with 17 assists. 

In 30 career NHL games, he’s scored one goal with five assists. The Red Wings take on the Carolina Hurricanes tonight from PNC Arena starting at 7:00 PM EST. 

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Newly-signed Carter Mazur has message for Red Wings fans

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The Detroit Red Wings selected Jackson, Mich. native 70th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He grew up watching the Red Wings and even penned an essay as a youngster in school stating that his life goal was to one day suit up in the NHL wearing the Winged Wheel. 

And now, that dream is one step closer to becoming a reality. Earlier today, the Red Wings signed Mazur to a three year entry level contract, and he’ll be reporting to the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins for the remainder of this season on an amateur tryout basis. 

Soon after the deal was announced, Mazur took to social media with this special message that included a picture of his essay he wrote years ago: 

In 40 games played this season with the University of Denver, Mazur tallied a total of 22 goals and 15 assists along with a +19 plus/minus rating. 

Mazur also played in his youth for the Little Caesars AAA hockey team, and also practiced at both Joe Louis Arena and the Belfor Training Center inside Little Caesars Arena, Detroit’s practice rink.