2025-26 Player in Review: Austin Watson
Forward Austin Watson skated in his second season with the Griffins and amassed 24 points (12-12—24), a plus-two rating and a career-high 146 penalty minutes in 62 regular-season games, adding one appearance in the postseason. The veteran led the team in penalty minutes, which also ranked eighth in the AHL.
Regular Season Stat Line
62 GP, 12 goals, 12 assists, 24 points, +2 rating, 146 PIM
Postseason Stat Line
1 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points, +0 rating, 0 PIM
Contract Status
Unrestricted free agent
By the Numbers
12 – Totaled 12 goals and 12 assists throughout the regular season
146 – Logged a professional career-high 146 penalty minutes, which ranked eighth in the AHL
3 – Notched three power-play goals in the regular season on Nov. 9 at Chicago, Nov. 12 against Toronto and Feb. 13 against Texas
1 – Scored lone shorthanded goal of season on Feb. 3 at Milwaukee, which also was the game-winner
3 – Registered three game-winners, which were the most in the AHL since the 2014-15 season with Milwaukee
2 – Tied a single-game career high with two assists on Nov. 19 at Rockford and Feb. 7 at Charlotte
24 – Tallied a single-game career-best 24 penalty minutes on Feb. 6 at Charlotte
36 – Recorded 36 penalty minutes in two games at Charlotte from Feb. 6-7
4 – Registered a season-high two-game goal streak four times from Oct. 11-17, Nov. 9-12, Jan. 3-7 and Jan. 31-Feb. 3
2 – Season-best two-game assist streak from Nov. 12-19 and Nov. 25-26
3 – Season-high three-game point streak from Nov. 9-19 (2-3—5)
6 – Produced six games with at least 10 penalty minutes on Oct. 17 against Manitoba (10 PIM), Nov. 28 against Iowa (15), Feb. 6 at Charlotte (24), Feb. 7 at Charlotte (12), Feb. 15 against Texas (12) and March 6 at Cleveland (12)
3 – Scored three game-winners throughout regular season on Oct. 11 at Texas, Feb. 3 at Milwaukee and Feb. 13 against Texas
5 – Missed five games throughout the regular season due to suspension (1 game), recall (2 games) and sickness (2 games)
Newsworthy
Red Wings Prospects Know How To Win | Detroit Hockey Now
Grand Rapids Griffins | Jenn Watson Q&A
All photos by Grand Rapids Griffins