2018-19 in Review: Dennis Cholowski

Rookie defenseman Dennis Cholowski began the season with the Red Wings and tallied 16 points (7-9—16) in 52 games before concluding the season with the Griffins and posting 12 points (0-12—12) in 25 appearances.

Regular season stat line

25 GP, 0 goals, 12 assists, 12 points, even rating, 12 PIM with GRG
52 GP, 7 goals, 9 assists, 16 points, -20 rating, 16 PIM, 18:15 average ice time with DRW

Postseason stat line

5 GP, 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points, +1 rating, 2 PIM

Contract status

Under contract for 2019-20

By the numbers

0.48 – Cholowski’s 0.48 points per game average with the Griffins was the second-best among team defensemen who skated in five or more games (Filip Hronek, 0.77 points/game).

2 – He tallied two assists for his first career Calder Cup Playoff points during Game 3 of the Central Division Semifinals against Chicago. His two helpers in the postseason tied for second among team defensemen and tied for third on the club overall.

2 – While with the Red Wings, Cholowski logged a season-high two points on three occasions: Oct. 7 at Los Angeles, Oct. 20 at Florida and Nov. 26 vs. Columbus.

3 – Assigned to the Griffins on Feb. 14, Cholowski recorded an assist in each of his first three games with the club and finished with a plus-seven rating in those initial trio of contests. Cholowski went on to record an assist in five of his first seven games.

Cholowski laleggia7578 — Photo by Mark Newman/Griffins

6 – Cholowski posted six assists on the power play which placed second among team defensemen and sixth overall on the Griffins.

12 – Cholowski’s 12 assists since Feb. 14 (the date of his assignment to Grand Rapids) were the most on the Griffins in that span and his 12 points tied with fellow blueliner Joe Hicketts for fifth.

16 – Cholowski ranked among the NHL’s rookie defensemen leaders with 16 points (T7th), seven goals (T3rd), nine assists (T9th), four power play goals (T2nd) and nine power play points (2nd).

169 – Cholowski became the 169th Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL when he made his debut with the Red Wings in their season opener against Columbus on Oct. 4 and tallied his first goal in the same game. Prior to 2018-19, Cholowski had made his professional debut with the Griffins on April 15, 2017 at Milwaukee and had also skated in one prior Calder Cup Playoff contest during Game 3 of the 2018 Central Division Semifinals vs. Manitoba (April 25).