A League of Their Own
Throughout this topsy-turvy season, one thing has remained constant: the outstanding performance of Griffins players such as Matt Ellis, Niklas Kronwall and Joey MacDonald, each of whom has etched his name into the franchise's record book.
Niklas Kronwall
The Griffins' leading scorer with 43 points (11-32--43), Kronwall has enjoyed the most impressive offensive campaign of any defenseman in franchise history. He has already broken team records for points (37 - Aris Brimanis) and assists (30 - Travis Richards) by a rearguard and now has his sights set on Brimanis' standard of 16 goals.
A two-time AHL All-Star Classic selection and top candidate for the AHL's Eddie Shore Award (Outstanding Defenseman), Kronwall currently ranks second in scoring among AHL blueliners, and his 11 goals and 32 assists each tie for fourth. Photo by Jim McIsaac.
Joey MacDonald
MacDonald has been the Griffins' version of both a workhorse and a thoroughbred this season. Chosen to play in his first AHL All-Star Classic last month, he has made 17 consecutive appearances between the pipes, surpassing Mike Fountain’s record of 15 from the 2000-01 season.
With a career-high 25 wins already under his belt, MacDonald has gobbled up most of the team's all-time records this season, standing atop the Griffins' charts for games played (116), minutes played (6552:05), wins (61), shutouts (13) and saves (3,008). Should he keep his current pace, he would also obliterate the single-season franchise records for games played, minutes played and saves. Photo by Jim McIsaac.
Matt Ellis
An unprecedented individual effort last weekend earned Ellis his second consecutive nomination for AHL Player of the Week. In Grand Rapids' 4-1 win over Hamilton on March 12, he became the first player in Griffins history to score two shorthanded goals in a home game while also joining the select company of Michel Picard and Ed Patterson, who accomplished the feat on the road.
Ellis has registered the first assist on three of the Griffins’ five overtime goals this season, including March 11 against Manitoba, and now shows points in 13 of the last 18 games (8-9—17). He ranks second on the team in both goals (15) and points (33), more than doubling the production of his 2003-04 rookie season (5-10—15).
Niklas Kronwall The Griffins' leading scorer with 43 points (11-32--43), Kronwall has enjoyed the most impressive offensive campaign of any defenseman in franchise history. He has already broken team records for points (37 - Aris Brimanis) and assists (30 - Travis Richards) by a rearguard and now has his sights set on Brimanis' standard of 16 goals.
A two-time AHL All-Star Classic selection and top candidate for the AHL's Eddie Shore Award (Outstanding Defenseman), Kronwall currently ranks second in scoring among AHL blueliners, and his 11 goals and 32 assists each tie for fourth. Photo by Jim McIsaac.
Joey MacDonald MacDonald has been the Griffins' version of both a workhorse and a thoroughbred this season. Chosen to play in his first AHL All-Star Classic last month, he has made 17 consecutive appearances between the pipes, surpassing Mike Fountain’s record of 15 from the 2000-01 season.
With a career-high 25 wins already under his belt, MacDonald has gobbled up most of the team's all-time records this season, standing atop the Griffins' charts for games played (116), minutes played (6552:05), wins (61), shutouts (13) and saves (3,008). Should he keep his current pace, he would also obliterate the single-season franchise records for games played, minutes played and saves. Photo by Jim McIsaac.
Matt Ellis An unprecedented individual effort last weekend earned Ellis his second consecutive nomination for AHL Player of the Week. In Grand Rapids' 4-1 win over Hamilton on March 12, he became the first player in Griffins history to score two shorthanded goals in a home game while also joining the select company of Michel Picard and Ed Patterson, who accomplished the feat on the road.
Ellis has registered the first assist on three of the Griffins’ five overtime goals this season, including March 11 against Manitoba, and now shows points in 13 of the last 18 games (8-9—17). He ranks second on the team in both goals (15) and points (33), more than doubling the production of his 2003-04 rookie season (5-10—15).
