CELEBRATE WITH US!
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Grand Rapids Griffins alumni had an enormous impact on last season's Stanley Cup Playoffs. All four members of the 2008-09 Griffins who played in the Stanley Cup Finals for Detroit recorded points (Justin Abdelkader two goals, Jonathan Ericsson goal and assist, Darren Helm goal and assist, Ville Leino two assists), while Abdelkader became the first player in history to score his first two NHL goals in Games 1 and 2 of a Stanley Cup Final. That series concluded with Pittsburgh defenseman Mark Eaton becoming the 13th former member of the Griffins to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.
Only time will tell what the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs have in store for those who once wore a Griffins sweater, but visit often to replay every goal they score during the chase for hockey's holy grail.
Click on the player's name to watch his goal:
Ville Leino (2008-09) - June 4 - Philadelphia 5 vs. Chicago 3 - 6:43 3rd
Ville Leino (2008-09) - June 2 - Philadelphia 4 vs. Chicago 3 OT - 3:10 3rd
Tomas Kopecky (2002-06) - May 29 - Chicago 6 vs. Philadelphia 5 - 8:25 3rd
Ville Leino (2008-09) - May 29 - Philadelphia 5 at Chicago 6 - 6:38 1st
Ville Leino (2008-09) - May 22 - Philadelphia 3 at Montreal 0 - 14:53 2nd
Ville Leino (2008-09) - May 18 - Philadelphia 3 vs. Montreal 0 - 10:24 3rd
Ville Leino (2008-09) - May 10 - Philadelphia 4 at Boston 0 - 6:41 1st
Tomas Kopecky (2002-06) - May 7 - Chicago 7 at Vancouver 4 - 6:59 3rd
Ville Leino (2008-09) - May 7 - Philadelphia 5 vs. Boston 4 OT - 14:20 3rd
Valtteri Filppula (2005-07) - May 6 - Detroit 7 vs. San Jose 1 - 18:50 1st
Darren Helm (2007-09) - April 25 - Detroit 2 vs. Phoenix 5 - 16:29 3rd
Tomas Kopecky (2002-06) - April 24 - Chicago 5 vs. Nashville 4 - 16:24 2nd
Chris Neil (1999-01) - April 24 - Ottawa 3 vs. Pittsburgh 4 - 1:51 2nd
Pavol Demitra (1996-97) - April 23 - Vancouver 7 vs. Los Angeles 2 - 4:38 3rd
Pavol Demitra (1996-97) - April 21 - Vancouver 6 at Los Angeles 4 - 15:35 2nd
Tomas Kopecky (2002-06) - April 20 - Chicago 1 at Nashville 4 - PPG 17:35 1st
Jimmy Howard (2005-09) - April 20 - Detroit 3 vs. Phoenix 0 - 17:12 2nd (Okay, so it's not a goal, but it's definitely worth another look after he keeps his head despite losing his mask.)
Jason Spezza (2001-02) - April 20 - Ottawa 4 vs. Pittsburgh 7 - PPG 7:37 3rd
Chris Neil (1999-01) - April 20 - Ottawa 4 vs. Pittsburgh 7 - 7:06 2nd
Valtteri Filppula (2005-07) - April 18 - Detroit 2 vs. Phoenix 4 - PPG 14:42 1st
Matt Ellis (2003-07) - April 17 - Buffalo 3 vs. Boston 5 - 12:00 1st
Valtteri Filppula (2005-07) - April 16 - Detroit 7 at Phoenix 4 - PPG 17:54 3rd
Justin Abdelkader (2008-10) - April 16 - Detroit 7 at Phoenix 4 - 2:32 3rd
Valtteri Filppula (2005-07) - April 16 - Detroit 7 at Phoenix 4 - 10:25 2nd
Chris Kelly (2001-02) - April 14 - Ottawa 5 at Pittsburgh 4 - 1:20 2nd
Chris Neil (1999-01) - April 14 - Ottawa 5 at Pittsburgh 4 - 14:08 1st