TWO GRIFFINS ALUMS TAKE AIM AT STANLEY CUP
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Center Chris Kelly (left) and defenseman Shane Hnidy of the Boston Bruins have the opportunity to continue a longstanding relationship between former Grand Rapids Griffins and the Stanley Cup.
If Boston defeats the Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup Finals, the name of a Griffins alumnus will be engraved on the Stanley Cup for the fourth consecutive year and the sixth time in the last seven seasons.
Kelly’s inclusion would be assured as a regular member of the Bruins’ lineup, while Hnidy, who appeared in just three regular season games and has not made a playoff appearance since May 6, would have to skate in at least one game during the finals to qualify. Game 1 will face off at 8 p.m. EDT tonight at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
The names of 13 Griffins alumni already adorn the most famous trophy in sports. Last June, Tomas Kopecky became the first former Griffin to win his second Stanley Cup, as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. Mark Eaton became lucky alumnus no. 13 with Pittsburgh in 2009; Detroit’s Valtteri Filppula, Darren Helm, Jiri Hudler, Kopecky, Niklas Kronwall, Brett Lebda, Darren McCarty, Derek Meech and Chris Osgood were added to the cup in 2008; Kevyn Adams won it with Carolina in 2006; and both Dmitry Afanasenkov and Darren Rumble captured the chalice with Tampa Bay in 2004.
Kelly, 30, began his pro career with Grand Rapids in 2001-02, posting six points (3-3—6) in 31 games during the Griffins’ final season as the Ottawa Senators’ top affiliate. He eventually played parts of seven seasons in Ottawa, racking up 176 points (75-101—176) in 463 games and making his first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007, before this season’s Feb. 15 trade that sent him to Beantown. After recording five points (2-3—5) in 24 regular season games with Boston, Kelly is tied for fifth on the Bruins with 11 points (4-7—11) in 18 playoff contests.
Hnidy, 35, spent parts of two seasons in Grand Rapids (1997-98, 2000-01), totaling 18 points (6-12—18) and 212 penalty minutes in 79 games. He has logged 550 games, 71 points (16-55—71) and 633 PIM over 10 NHL seasons with Ottawa, Nashville, Atlanta, Anaheim, Minnesota and Boston.
If Boston defeats the Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup Finals, the name of a Griffins alumnus will be engraved on the Stanley Cup for the fourth consecutive year and the sixth time in the last seven seasons.
Kelly’s inclusion would be assured as a regular member of the Bruins’ lineup, while Hnidy, who appeared in just three regular season games and has not made a playoff appearance since May 6, would have to skate in at least one game during the finals to qualify. Game 1 will face off at 8 p.m. EDT tonight at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
The names of 13 Griffins alumni already adorn the most famous trophy in sports. Last June, Tomas Kopecky became the first former Griffin to win his second Stanley Cup, as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. Mark Eaton became lucky alumnus no. 13 with Pittsburgh in 2009; Detroit’s Valtteri Filppula, Darren Helm, Jiri Hudler, Kopecky, Niklas Kronwall, Brett Lebda, Darren McCarty, Derek Meech and Chris Osgood were added to the cup in 2008; Kevyn Adams won it with Carolina in 2006; and both Dmitry Afanasenkov and Darren Rumble captured the chalice with Tampa Bay in 2004.
Kelly, 30, began his pro career with Grand Rapids in 2001-02, posting six points (3-3—6) in 31 games during the Griffins’ final season as the Ottawa Senators’ top affiliate. He eventually played parts of seven seasons in Ottawa, racking up 176 points (75-101—176) in 463 games and making his first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007, before this season’s Feb. 15 trade that sent him to Beantown. After recording five points (2-3—5) in 24 regular season games with Boston, Kelly is tied for fifth on the Bruins with 11 points (4-7—11) in 18 playoff contests.
Hnidy, 35, spent parts of two seasons in Grand Rapids (1997-98, 2000-01), totaling 18 points (6-12—18) and 212 penalty minutes in 79 games. He has logged 550 games, 71 points (16-55—71) and 633 PIM over 10 NHL seasons with Ottawa, Nashville, Atlanta, Anaheim, Minnesota and Boston.
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