October 9, 2014

by Pete Wallner – mlive.com
____________________________

Here are five players to watch this season with the Grand Rapids Griffins:

Goalie Petr Mrazek

Ripe is an understatement for Mrazek. He is a starting NHL goalie stuck in Grand Rapids because Detroit re-signed Jonas Gustavsson in June to again back up Jimmy Howard. He might be the best goalie in the organization right now. He played nine games for the Red Wings last season, with two shutouts, and had a great preseason with another shutout. He signed a contract extension for 2015-16, so he should, at worst, be Howard’s backup next season.

Meanwhile, he will have to stay motivated and continue to prove himself in Grand Rapids. That hasn’t been an issue the past two seasons. He was second in the league in goals against average (2.10) and third in save percentage (.924). Enjoy him while you can at Van Andel Arena.

Forward Anthony Mantha

The 20-year-old won’t even be with the Griffins for another three to five weeks after he fractured his right tibia during a rookie tournament game in Traverse City on Sept. 15. That’s a break for Grand Rapids because Mantha stood a good chance of making the Red Wings out of camp, and it only adds to the intrigue over one of the most touted Detroit prospects in years.

Numbers? Detroit’s first choice (20th overall) in the 2013 draft, the 6-foot-5, 204-pound Mantha tore up juniors the past three seasons. Last year, he was with Val-d’Or in the QMJHL and led the league in scoring from the outset. He averaged more than a goal a game (57-57-120) with a plus-minus of plus-34. He tied for third in scoring with Canada at the IIHF world juniors (5-6-11) in seven games, and led Val-d’Or to QMJHL title, including six goals and 13 points in the seven-game final. Just to note: He scored the game-winner in Game 7.

But he’ll start the season in Grand Rapids, where he’ll work on his defense and, no doubt, score a few goals. How fast he shakes off the rust and adapts to the AHL may determine how long he is with the Griffins.

Forward Martin Frk

A year ago, Frk wasn’t in the same stratosphere of hype like Mantha, but he was rated a top-10 prospect by most. It didn’t go so well. The 6-0, 190-pounder struggled early, spent time in Toledo – where he played well – and returned to finish the season with 12 points (3-9-12) in 50 games.

The right winger, Detroit’s second-round pick in 2012, spent much of the offseason in the Grand Rapids area working out with veteran Jeff Hoggan and looking to improve his puck handling and focus. Now, it’s just a matter of confidence. He just turned 21, showed potential in juniors (such as 84 points and 36 goals in 56 games with Halifax in the QMJHL in 2012-13) and will get a chance with the Griffins to make last season a distant memory.

Forward Jeff Hoggan

Hoggan isn’t a prospect or a top scorer, but he is the glue of the Griffins. The 36-year-old left winger is in his third season with the team and third as captain. What sets him apart is not necessarily the performance on the ice as much as the effort. His work ethic as a veteran minor-leaguer rubs off on the prospects. Plus, he’s easy to talk to off the ice.

Last season, Hoggan sat out a number of games because of an overload of veterans and finished with 31 points (14-17-31) in 59 games – a significant drop off from the 20-25-45 in 2012-13. It will be interesting to see how he holds up under the grind of his 13th season.

Defenseman Xavier Ouellet

Ouellet has emerged as the top prospect among a host of impressive young defensemen in the organization. The 21-year-old Ouellet was among the last cuts of the Red Wings this week, and there were strong indications he will be back in Detroit at some point. Coach Mike Babcock openly said he wanted him on the roster.

Meantime, the Griffins will benefit from having the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder on the blue line along with other top prospects in Nick Jensen, Ryan Sproul and Alexey Marchenko. Last season Ouellet played in 70 games in Grand Rapids (4-13-17) and was up for four games with the Red Wings and played in another in the playoffs.

October 9, 2014

by Pete Wallner – mlive.com
____________________________

Here are five players to watch this season with the Grand Rapids Griffins:

Goalie Petr Mrazek

Ripe is an understatement for Mrazek. He is a starting NHL goalie stuck in Grand Rapids because Detroit re-signed Jonas Gustavsson in June to again back up Jimmy Howard. He might be the best goalie in the organization right now. He played nine games for the Red Wings last season, with two shutouts, and had a great preseason with another shutout. He signed a contract extension for 2015-16, so he should, at worst, be Howard’s backup next season.

Meanwhile, he will have to stay motivated and continue to prove himself in Grand Rapids. That hasn’t been an issue the past two seasons. He was second in the league in goals against average (2.10) and third in save percentage (.924). Enjoy him while you can at Van Andel Arena.

Forward Anthony Mantha

The 20-year-old won’t even be with the Griffins for another three to five weeks after he fractured his right tibia during a rookie tournament game in Traverse City on Sept. 15. That’s a break for Grand Rapids because Mantha stood a good chance of making the Red Wings out of camp, and it only adds to the intrigue over one of the most touted Detroit prospects in years.

Numbers? Detroit’s first choice (20th overall) in the 2013 draft, the 6-foot-5, 204-pound Mantha tore up juniors the past three seasons. Last year, he was with Val-d’Or in the QMJHL and led the league in scoring from the outset. He averaged more than a goal a game (57-57-120) with a plus-minus of plus-34. He tied for third in scoring with Canada at the IIHF world juniors (5-6-11) in seven games, and led Val-d’Or to QMJHL title, including six goals and 13 points in the seven-game final. Just to note: He scored the game-winner in Game 7.

But he’ll start the season in Grand Rapids, where he’ll work on his defense and, no doubt, score a few goals. How fast he shakes off the rust and adapts to the AHL may determine how long he is with the Griffins.

Forward Martin Frk

A year ago, Frk wasn’t in the same stratosphere of hype like Mantha, but he was rated a top-10 prospect by most. It didn’t go so well. The 6-0, 190-pounder struggled early, spent time in Toledo – where he played well – and returned to finish the season with 12 points (3-9-12) in 50 games.

The right winger, Detroit’s second-round pick in 2012, spent much of the offseason in the Grand Rapids area working out with veteran Jeff Hoggan and looking to improve his puck handling and focus. Now, it’s just a matter of confidence. He just turned 21, showed potential in juniors (such as 84 points and 36 goals in 56 games with Halifax in the QMJHL in 2012-13) and will get a chance with the Griffins to make last season a distant memory.

Forward Jeff Hoggan

Hoggan isn’t a prospect or a top scorer, but he is the glue of the Griffins. The 36-year-old left winger is in his third season with the team and third as captain. What sets him apart is not necessarily the performance on the ice as much as the effort. His work ethic as a veteran minor-leaguer rubs off on the prospects. Plus, he’s easy to talk to off the ice.

Last season, Hoggan sat out a number of games because of an overload of veterans and finished with 31 points (14-17-31) in 59 games – a significant drop off from the 20-25-45 in 2012-13. It will be interesting to see how he holds up under the grind of his 13th season.

Defenseman Xavier Ouellet

Ouellet has emerged as the top prospect among a host of impressive young defensemen in the organization. The 21-year-old Ouellet was among the last cuts of the Red Wings this week, and there were strong indications he will be back in Detroit at some point. Coach Mike Babcock openly said he wanted him on the roster.

Meantime, the Griffins will benefit from having the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder on the blue line along with other top prospects in Nick Jensen, Ryan Sproul and Alexey Marchenko. Last season Ouellet played in 70 games in Grand Rapids (4-13-17) and was up for four games with the Red Wings and played in another in the playoffs.