As the Grand Rapids Griffins begin their 31st season on Friday at the Cleveland Monsters, let’s take a quick look at all of the coaches and players on the opening-night roster. 

The Griffins’ roster is comprised of eight players who qualify as an AHL rookie and five players who are classified as veterans (261+ pro games played at NHL, AHL or top European league level). 

FORWARDS

#15 Sheldon Dries (veteran) | 5-9, 182 lbs. 

Hometown: Macomb, Mich.

Drafted: Undrafted

2025-26 Stats: Competed in five NHL games with Detroit with zero points, zero penalty minutes and an even plus-minus rating…Made Red Wings debut on March 12 at Tampa Bay…With the Griffins, tallied 45 points (23-22—45), 13 penalty minutes and a plus-20 rating in 57 regular-season games…Added seven points (2-5—7) in eight postseason games, which ranked second on the roster…Plus-20 rating set a career best…Notched at least 20 goals for the fifth consecutive AHL season when played at least 50 games…Ranked among team’s regular-season leaders in points (2nd), goals (3rd), assists (4th), power-play goals (T1st) and power-play assists (4th)…Placed among team’s postseason leaders in points (2nd), assists (1st) and goals (4th).

Career Highlights: Third season as a Griffin…10th year pro…Made Red Wings debut on March 12, 2026 at Tampa Bay…Career-best plus-20 rating in 2025-26 with Grand Rapids…Career-high seven game-winners in 2024-25 with Grand Rapids…Made Griffins debut on Oct. 11, 2024 against Milwaukee…Posted NHL career-high totals in games played (63), goals (11), assists (6), points (17) and penalty minutes (29) during the 2022-23 season with Vancouver…AHL Player of the Month in February 2022 when he logged 19 points in 11 games (12-7—19)…Amassed career-high numbers in goals (35), assists (27), points (62), plus-minus rating (+14), power-play goals (18) and game-winners (5) during the 2021-22 season with Abbotsford (AHL)…Made Stanley Cup Playoff debut on Sept. 4, 2020 with Colorado against Dallas…Made NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 4, 2018 against Minnesota…Scored first NHL goal and assist during a two-point night on Nov. 1, 2018 at Calgary…Made pro debut with the Texas Stars (AHL) on Oct. 6, 2017 at the Chicago Wolves, recording two points (1-1—2)…Finished rookie pro season in 2017-18 with 30 points (19-11—30), 53 penalty minutes and a plus-13 rating in 70 games with the Texas Stars…Made Calder Cup Playoff debut on April 19, 2018 and reached the Calder Cup Finals before losing 4-3 to the Toronto Marlies…Ranked first among rookies with 10 goals in the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs…Signed first pro contract on May 10, 2017, a one-year deal with the Texas Stars…Named to the 2017 NCHC Second All-Star Team while at Western Michigan University, showing 30 points (16-14—30), 34 penalty minutes and a plus-14 rating in 36 games as a senior…Three-year captain at Western Michigan University from 2014-17…Made collegiate debut on Oct. 11, 2013, at Notre Dame…Scored first collegiate goal on Oct. 18, 2013, at Alaska Anchorage…Tallied first collegiate assist on Jan. 17, 2014, at No. 3 St. Cloud State…2012 USHL Clark Cup Champion with the Green Bay Gamblers. 

#19 John Leonard (veteran) | 5-11, 192 lbs.

Hometown: Amherst, Mass.

Drafted: San Jose’s 5th choice, 182nd overall, in 2018 NHL Entry Draft

2025-26 Stats: Competed in first season as a Griffin and recorded 54 points (33-21—54), 12 penalty minutes and a plus-eight rating in 47 regular-season games…Added five points (1-4—5) in eight playoff games…Named to second straight AHL Second All-Star Team…Named to second straight AHL All-Star Classic…Ranked among AHL’s regular-season leaders in goals (2nd), shorthanded goals (5, T1st) and game-winners (8, T2nd)…Placed among the top 10 single-season efforts in Griffins history in goals (T7th), shorthanded goals (T1st), game-winners (T5th), first goals (8, T5th), unassisted goals (4, T5th), shootout percentage (.750, T6th) and shooting percentage (.205, T2nd)…Fortune Tires “Expect More” Player of the Month for November with 16 points (9-7—16) in 10 games, becoming just the third player in franchise history to win the award…Competed in 11 games with the Detroit Red Wings and notched four points (2-2—4) and a minus-three rating…Made Red Wings debut on Dec. 16 against the New York Islanders.

Career Highlights: Second season as a Griffin…Seventh year pro…Named to 2025-26 AHL Second All-Star Team…In 2025-26, ranked among AHL leaders in goals (33, 2nd), shorthanded goals (5, T1st), game-winners (8, T2nd) and points-per-game among players with at least 40 GP (1.15, 4th)…Made Red Wings debut on Dec. 16, 2025 against NY Islanders…In first season with Grand Rapids in 2025-26, showed 54 points (33-21—54) and 33 goals in just 47 regular-season games, adding five points (1-4—5) in eight playoff outings…Named to 2026 AHL All-Star Classic…Named Fortune Tires “Expect More” AHL Player of the Month for November 2025, with 16 points (9-7—16) in 10 games…Reached 2025 Calder Cup Finals with Charlotte and paced team with 14 points (8-6—14) in 18 postseason games…Named to 2024-25 AHL Second All-Star Team with a career-high 61 points (36-25—61) in 72 outings…Named to 2025 AHL All-Star Classic…In 2024-25, ranked among AHL leaders in points (61, T10th), goals (36, T2nd), power-play goals (10, T9th), short-handed goals (5, T1st), and game-winners (8, T1st)…Made Calder Cup Playoffs debut with Milwaukee on April 28, 2023, at Manitoba…Made AHL debut with San Jose on Feb. 7, 2021, against Tucson, scoring a goal in the process…Finished rookie season in 2020-21 with 13 points (3-10—13) in 44 NHL games with San Jose and two points (1-1—2) in two AHL games with San Jose…Made NHL/pro debut with San Jose on Jan. 14, 2021, at Arizona, collecting two assists…Scored first NHL goal with San Jose on Feb. 15, 2021, against Anaheim…Selected 182nd overall by San Jose in 2018 NHL Entry Draft…Spent three seasons at UMass from 2017-20, securing 105 points (56-49—105), 42 penalty minutes and a plus-30 rating in 106 career games…In 2019-20 with 37 points (27-10—37) in 33 games with UMass, named a Hobey Baker Award Finalist when he paced the NCAA in goals…In 2019-20, named to NCAA First All-American Team, Hockey East First All-Star Team, USCHO Third Team, New England All-Star Team, and dubbed New England Best Forward…In 2018-19, named to Hockey East Second All-Star Team en route to claiming Hockey East regular-season championship…Spent two seasons in USHL with Green Bay from 2015-17 and notched a combined 43 points (24-19—43) in 106 regular-season games…Competed in three seasons with Springfield Cathedral High School from 2012-15 and registered 151 points (91-60—151) in 72 career contests. 

#25 Ondrej Becher | 6-1, 195 lbs.

Hometown: Ostrava, Czechia 

Drafted: Detroit’s 3rd choice, 80th overall, in 2024 NHL Entry Draft

2025-26 Stats: Competed in second pro season with Grand Rapids, showing 28 points (9-19—28), 42 penalty minutes and a plus-five rating in 60 regular-season appearances…Added two games in the Calder Cup Playoffs…Notched career-high totals in games played (60), assists (19), points (28), plus-minus rating (+5), penalty minutes (42) and game-winners (3).

Career Highlights: Third season as a Griffin…Third year pro…In 2025-26, totaled career highs in games played (60), assists (19), points (28), penalty minutes (42) and plus-minus (+5)...Competed in 100th pro game on Dec. 21, 2025 vs. Cleveland...Made Calder Cup Playoffs debut on April 29, 2025 against Texas…Signed first pro contract on Dec. 31, 2024, a three-year, entry-level deal with Detroit…Made AHL debut with Grand Rapids on Nov. 3, 2024 at Cleveland…Collected first AHL point with assist on Nov. 16, 2024 at Milwaukee…Secured first AHL goal on Nov. 24, 2024 against Iowa…Showed 20 points (10-10—20) in 59 regular-season games as a rookie in 2024-25…Selected 80th overall by Detroit in 2024 NHL Entry Draft…Earned a bronze medal at the 2024 World Junior Championship with Team Czechia, ranking third on the team with 10 points (3-7—10) in seven games…With Prince George of WHL from 2022-24, accumulated 134 points (48-86—134), 85 penalty minutes and a plus-69 rating in 121 regular-season games, adding 22 points (6-16—22) in 24 playoff contests…Reached 2024 WHL Western Conference Finals…In 2023-24, totaled junior career-high 96 points (32-64—96) in 58 regular-season games, adding 19 points (5-14—19) in 15 playoff games…Made WHL debut with Prince George on Sept. 23, 2022 against Tri-City, collecting two points (1-1—2)…Competed for Team Czechia at 2022 U18 World Junior Championship…With AZ Havirov in Czechia’s second-division pro league from 2020-22, logged three points (2-1—3) in 19 games…Made pro debut with AZ Havirov as a 16-year-old on Jan. 6, 2021 at HC Banik Sokolov, earning first pro assist…Scored first pro goal at 17 years old with AZ Havirov on March 8, 2021 against SK Trhaci Kadari.

#26 Dylan James (rookie) | 6-0, 195 lbs.

Hometown: Calgary, Alberta

Drafted: Detroit’s 2nd choice, 40th overall, in 2022 NHL Entry Draft

2025-26 Stats: Made pro postseason debut with Grand Rapids in Game 2 of the Central Division Finals against the Chicago Wolves on May 16…Scored first pro goal during two-goal performance on April 19 at the Cleveland Monsters…Made AHL/pro debut with Grand Rapids on April 15 at the Iowa Wild…Finished AHL regular season with two goals in two games…NCHC regular-season champion at North Dakota during senior season…At North Dakota, served as an alternate captain and posted collegiate career highs in goals (21), assists (11), points (32) and plus-minus rating (+17) to go along with 10 penalty minutes in 40 games…Ranked among team leaders in points (5th), goals (1st) and plus-minus (T3rd)…21 goals tied for 11th in NCAA.

Career Highlights: Second season as a Griffin…First year pro…Made pro postseason debut with Grand Rapids in Game 2 of the Central Division Finals against the Chicago Wolves on May 16, 2026…Scored first pro goal during two-goal performance on April 19, 2026, at the Cleveland Monsters…Made AHL/pro debut with Grand Rapids on April 15, 2026, at the Iowa Wild…Signed first pro contract on April 11, 2026, a two-year, entry-level deal with Detroit Red Wings…With the University of North Dakota from 2022-26, totaled 89 points (52-37—89), 48 penalty minutes and a plus-28 rating in 154-career games…2025-26 NCHC regular-season champion at North Dakota, showing collegiate career highs as an alternate captain in goals (21), assists (11), points (32) and plus-minus rating (+17)…2023-24 NCHC regular-season champion at North Dakota…Selected with 40th overall pick by Detroit in 2022 NHL Entry Draft…During first and only USHL season in 2021-22 with Sioux City, won USHL Clark Cup and was named USHL Rookie of the Year with 61 points (28-33—61), 39 penalty minutes and a plus-18 rating in 62 games…Named to AJHL South All-Rookie Team in 2019-20, registering 43 points (20-23—43) in 51 games with Okotoks Oilers…2018-19 AMHL champion with Calgary Buffaloes U18 AAA, contributing seven points (2-5—7) in 11 playoff outings…Named to 2017-18 AMBHL South All-Star Team with 56 points (26-30—56) in 35 games with Calgary Bison U15 AAA. 

#27 Nolan Moyle | 6-2, 195 lbs.

Hometown: Pinehurst, N.C.

Drafted: Undrafted

2025-26 Stats: Skated in 16 games with Grand Rapids and totaled two points (1-1—2), 15 penalty minutes and a plus-five rating…Made AHL debut on Nov. 12 against Toronto…Scored first AHL goal on Dec. 10 against Milwaukee…First AHL assist on Dec. 7 at Toronto…Also produced 10 points (5-5—10), four penalty minutes and a plus-three rating in nine ECHL outings with Toledo…Finished season in the ICEHL (Austria) with EC-KAC and recorded eight points (1-7—8) and 10 penalty minutes in six regular-season games, adding one goal in six playoff appearances.

Career Highlights: Second season as a Griffin…Fourth year pro… Scored first AHL goal with Grand Rapids on Dec. 10, 2025, against Milwaukee…Made AHL debut with Grand Rapids on Nov. 12, 2025, against Toronto…Reached 2025 Kelly Cup Finals with Toledo (ECHL)…Scored first pro goal with Kunlun (KHL/China) on Sept. 6, 2023, against Dinamo Minsk…Made pro debut with Kunlun (KHL/China) on Sept. 2, 2023, at Spartak Moskva…Signed first pro contract on July 19, 2023, a two-year deal with Kunlun (KHL/China)…At the University of Michigan from 2018-23, totaled a combined 46 points (24-22—46), 156 penalty minutes and a plus-15 rating in 164 games…Captain at Michigan as a fifth-year senior in 2022-23…Reached NCAA Frozen Four in 2023 and 2022…Two-time Big Ten Tournament champion with Michigan from 2021-23…Competed in two USHL seasons with Green Bay from 2016-18 and registered 60 points (24-36—60) and 36 penalty minutes in 116 career outings. 

#32 Wilmer Skoog | 6-2, 210 lbs.

Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden

Drafted: Undrafted

2025-26 Stats: Competed in NHL for first time and showed two assists, four penalty minutes and a plus-three rating in three games with Florida…Made NHL debut on April 11 at Toronto…Collected first NHL point during a two-assist night on April 15 against Detroit…Spent much of the year in the AHL with Charlotte, totaling 37 points (18-19—37), 51 penalty minutes and a plus-12 rating in 61 regular-season games…Added one assist in three Calder Cup Playoff games…Career highs in assists, points and plus-minus rating with Charlotte…Ranked among team leaders in points (4th), assists (T6th), goals (T2nd), penalty minutes (4th) and plus-minus (T7th).

Career Highlights: First season as a Griffin…Fourth year pro…Collected first NHL point during a two-assist night on April 15, 2026, against Detroit…Made NHL debut on April 11, 2026, at Toronto…Career-high 37 points (18-19—37) and a plus-12 rating in 61 games with Charlotte (AHL) in 2025-26…Competed in 2025 Calder Cup Finals with Charlotte…First AHL goal on Jan. 7, 2024, at Bridgeport…First AHL point with an assist on Dec. 22, 2023, against Lehigh Valley…First pro goal on Nov. 11, 2023, at Greenville (ECHL)…First pro point with an assist on Nov. 10 at Greenville (ECHL)…ECHL debut with Florida on Nov. 1, 2023, against Orlando…Made North America pro debut with Charlotte (AHL) on Oct. 13, 2023, against Hershey…Spent four NCAA seasons with Boston University from 2019-23, producing a combined 76 points (40-36—76), 70 penalty minutes and a plus-16 rating in 103-career outings…In 2022-23 with Boston (NCAA), became Hockey East tournament and regular-season champion to go along with a Hockey East Third All-Star Team recognition…Named to 2021-22 Hockey East Second All-Star Team with 30 points (15-15—30) in 35 games…Competed in two NAHL seasons from 2018-20 and registered 80 points (33-47—80), 140 penalty minutes and a plus-20 rating in 81-career contests…Made pro debut in 2017-18 with VIK Vasteras HK in Sweden’s third division (HockeyEttan), skating in 12 games…In 2014-15, won a U16 SM gold medal with Djurgardens U16 team in Sweden.

#33 Kienan Draper (rookie) | 6-2, 210 lbs.

Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 

Drafted: Detroit’s 11th choice, 187th overall, in 2020 NHL Entry Draft

2025-26 Stats: Made professional/AHL debut with Grand Rapids on April 15 at Iowa…Finished AHL season with two games played…Served as an alternate captain during senior season at University of Michigan and logged 18 points (5-13—18), 59 penalty minutes and a plus-21 rating in 40 games…Big Ten Tournament winner…Reached NCAA Frozen Four…Collegiate career highs in games played, assists, points, penalty minutes and plus-minus rating…59 penalty minutes ranked third on the roster and plus-21 rating placed seventh.

Career Highlights: Second season as a Griffin…First year pro…Made professional/AHL debut with Grand Rapids on April 15, 2026, at Iowa…Signed first pro contract on April 13, 2026, a two-year deal with Grand Rapids…Competed in four seasons at the University of Michigan from 2022-26 and totaled a combined 40 points (17-23—40), 144 penalty minutes and a plus-21 rating in 133 games, claiming two Big Ten Tournament titles (2023, 2026) and reaching the NCAA Frozen Four three times (2023, 2024, 2026)…Selected 187th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft…Competed for the Little Caesars’ youth program in Detroit from 2016-19.

#42 Cameron Butler | 6-4, 223 lbs.

Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario

Drafted: Undrafted

2025-26 Stats: Competed in 16 games with the AHL’s Iowa Wild and totaled one goal, 20 penalty minutes and a minus-three rating…Spent rest of season in ECHL with the Iowa Heartlanders, logging 20 points (9-11—20), 77 penalty minutes and a minus-12 rating in 30 games…Pro career highs in goals (9), assists (11), points (20) and penalty minutes (77) in the ECHL.

Career Highlights: First season as a Griffin…Fourth year pro…In 2025-26 with Iowa (ECHL), totaled pro career highs in goals (9), assists (11), points (20) and penalty minutes (77)…Made ECHL debut with Iowa on Dec. 31, 2025, at Kansas City…Made NHL debut with Columbus on March 30, 2024, against Pittsburgh…AHL career highs in goals (2), assists (6), points (8) and games played (51) as a rookie in 2023-24 with Cleveland…First AHL/pro assist on Dec. 23, 2023, at Utica…First AHL/pro goal on Dec. 6, 2023, at Hartford…Made AHL/pro debut with Cleveland on April 14, 2023, at Utica…Competed in OHL with Peterborough (2018-20), Niagara (2019-22) and Oshawa (2021-23), logging a combined 154 points (74-80—154) and 297 penalty minutes in 257 career regular-season games…Skated with Team Canada White U17 at the 2019 U17 World Hockey Challenge and notched six penalty minutes in five games…OMHA Minor Midget AAA champion in 2017-18 with York Simcoe Express U16 AAA.

#65 Dominik Shine (veteran) | Captain | 5-11, 180 lbs.

Hometown: Detroit, Mich.

Drafted: Undrafted

2025-26 Stats: Competed in a career-high 18 NHL games with Detroit and tallied three goals and seven penalty minutes…Scored first NHL goal on March 8 at New Jersey, becoming fifth-oldest player in Red Wings history to score his first-career NHL goal…Named Red Wings’ Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominee…Served as a first-year captain of the Griffins and skated in his 10th season with the franchise…Showed a career-high 21 goals and a plus-25 rating to go along with 39 points (21-18—39) and 41 penalty minutes in 40 regular-season games…Added one assist and six penalty minutes in eight postseason outings…Named Howies Hockey Tape/AHL Player of the Week on Feb. 15, showing five goals, 13 shots and a plus-six rating in two games…Participated in first-career AHL All-Star Classic.

Career Highlights: 11th season as a Griffin…10th year pro…Named to 2026 AHL All-Star Classic for first time in career…Named Detroit’s 2025-26 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominee…Reached 20-goal mark (21) for first time in career in 2025-26 with Grand Rapids, to go along with a career-high plus-25 rating and a 20.2 shooting percentage…In 2025-26, skated in a career-best 18 NHL games with Red Wings, showing three goals and seven penalty minutes…First pro hat trick on Nov. 25, 2025 at Texas (AHL)…Scored first NHL goal on March 8, 2026 at New Jersey…Made NHL debut on Jan. 27, 2025, against Los Angeles, and later bagged first NHL point with an assist on Feb. 1, 2025, at Calgary…In 2024-25 with Grand Rapids, posted career-high numbers in points (46), assists (32), power-play goals (5), game-winners (4), shots (149), and multi-point outings (11) in 61 games…In 2023-24, became just the third player in Griffins franchise history to reach eight seasons of service…During 2023-24 season, notched career-high totals in assists (23), points (33) and plus-minus rating (+8) in 65 regular-season games…On April 6, 2023 at Manitoba, became just the seventh player in Griffins’ franchise history to reach 350 games played…Totaled career-high numbers in goals (17), assists (15), points (32), penalty minutes (141), shots (122), power-play goals (3) and shorthanded goals (3) during the 2021-22 campaign with the Griffins…Recorded 16 points (8-8—16) in 58 games during his rookie season with Grand Rapids in 2017-18…Made his professional debut with the Griffins on March 19, 2017 at Milwaukee…Led the WCHA in goals with 20 in 2016-17 and was named an All-WCHA Third Team selection…Served as an alternate captain during his junior and senior seasons at Northern Michigan…Finished second on Northern Michigan in points in 2015-16 and was named to the All-WCHA Second Team…Totaled three career hat tricks at Northern Michigan…Captained Lincoln (USHL) during his final two seasons. 

#70 Noah Dower Nilsson (rookie) | 6-1, 197 lbs.

Hometown: Stromstad, Sweden

Drafted: Detroit’s 6th choice, 73rd overall, in 2023 NHL Entry Draft

2025-26 Stats: Competed in second Swedish Hockey League (SHL) season with Frolunda and totaled 16 points (6-10—16), 10 penalty minutes and a plus-seven rating in 48 regular-season games…Added four points (2-2—4) and two penalty minutes in six postseason outings…Champions Hockey League winner with Frolunda, showing two assists, two penalty minutes and a plus-two rating in 12 appearances…Notched SHL career highs in games played, goals, assists, points and plus-minus rating…Ranked among SHL U21 leaders in points (10th), assists (T6th), goals (T10th), points-per-game (.33, 12th) and plus-minus (T7th).

Career Highlights: First season as a Griffin…Third year pro…Signed first NHL contract on April 4, 2026, a three-year, entry-level deal with the Detroit Red Wings…In parts of four Swedish Hockey League seasons with Frolunda from 2022-26, totaled a combined 28 points (11-17—28), 20 penalty minutes and a plus-six rating in 91 regular-season outings…2025-26 Champions Hockey League winner with Frolunda, showing two assists in 12 appearances…In 2025-26 with Frolunda, SHL career highs in games played (48), goals (6), assists (10), points (16) and plus-minus rating (+7)…First pro goal in SHL on Jan. 6, 2024, at Malmo…Selected with the 70th overall pick by Detroit in 2023 NHL Entry Draft (brother, Liam, was selected 134th by Detroit in 2021)…First pro assist in SHL on Dec. 19, 2023, against Skelleftea…Made pro debut in SHL on Feb. 4, 2023, at Timra…Won a silver medal with Team Sweden at 2023 U18 World Junior Championship, compiling six points (2-4—6) in seven games…In 2022-23, ranked first among U18 players in U20 Nationell league (Sweden) with 54 points (26-28—54) in 37 outings, while 26 goals ranked first among all players…Placed first in points (19) and assists (12) among all skaters in U16 Region league (Sweden) in 2020-21…Spent entire youth career within Frolunda's organization from 2018-25.

#82 Sutter Muzzatti (rookie) | 6-6, 248 lbs.

Hometown: Okemos, Mich.

Drafted: Nashville’s 9th choice, 143rd overall, in 2023 NHL Entry Draft 

2025-26 Stats: Competed as a senior during first season at Notre Dame…Showed 32 points (13-19—32), 42 penalty minutes and a minus-18 rating in 37 games…NCAA career highs in games played, goals, assists and points…Ranked among the team leaders in points (2nd), assists (2nd), goals (T2nd) and penalty minutes (4th).

Career Highlights: First season as a Griffin…First year pro…Signed first pro contract on Aug. 20, 2026, a two-year, entry-level deal with Detroit…Throughout four seasons in NCAA from 2022-26, showed 82 points (32-50—82) and 171 penalty minutes in 115-career outings…Skated with the University of Notre Dame during senior season in 2025-26 and totaled collegiate career highs in games played (37), goals (13), assists (19) and points (32)…Spent three seasons with Rensselaer Polytech Institute (RPI) from 2022-25 and logged a combined 50 points (19-31—50) and 129 penalty minutes in 78 appearances…Selected with the 143rd pick by Nashville in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft…Hobey Baker Award nominee in 2023-24 with 25 points (10-15—25) and 79 penalty minutes in 33 games with RPI…Named to ECAC All-Rookie Team in 2022-23, notching 22 points (7-15—22) and 42 penalty minutes in 35 contests with RPI…Spent two seasons with the Austin Bruins in the NAHL from 2020-22 and accumulated 59 points (17-42—59), 100 penalty minutes and a plus-nine rating in 80 games…NAPHL U18 champion in 2019-20, serving as captain of Meijer U18 AAA…Spent youth career with the Meijer AAA program.

#84 Tag Bertuzzi | 6-1, 203 lbs.

Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia

Drafted: Undrafted

2025-26 Stats: Suited up for an AHL career-high 14 games with Utica, showing a minus-six rating…Spent the majority of the season in the ECHL with Adirondack, recording 31 points (16-15—31), 23 penalty minutes and a minus-four rating in 38 regular-season games…Added seven points (3-4—7) and two penalty minutes in seven Kelly Cup Playoff outings, which marked first pro playoffs in North America…Ranked among Adirondack’s playoff leaders in points (T1st), assists (T1st) and goals (T2nd).

Career Highlights: First season as a Griffin…Sixth year pro…Made professional postseason debut in North America with Adirondack (ECHL) on April 24, 2026, at Maine…Finished first pro playoffs in 2025-26 with seven points (3-4—7) in seven Kelly Cup Playoff games…Competed in an AHL career-high 14 games in 2025-26 with Utica… First AHL point with an assist on March 1, 2024, against Laval…Made AHL debut with Charlotte on Dec. 23, 2022, against Providence… In 2022-23 ECHL season as a rookie, posted pro career highs in games played (64), goals (24), assists (28), points (52) and penalty minutes (32)…Throughout four-year OHL career, registered a combined 112 points (53-59—112) and 98 penalty minutes in 191 regular-season games, adding nine points (5-4—9) in 20 postseason contests…Appeared in 2022 OHL Western Conference Finals with Flint and totaled nine points (5-4—9) in 19 outings…Made professional debut with HK Levice in 2020-21 in Slovakia’s second division, accumulating 23 points (7-16—23) in 22 games…Competed for Team Canada Black at the 2018 U17 World Hockey Challenge and paced the tournament with 24 penalty minutes to go along with four points (1-3—4) in five games.

#92 Jesse Kiiskinen (rookie) | 6-1, 182 lbs.

Hometown: Hollola, Finland

Drafted: Nashville’s 5th choice, 68th overall, in 2023 NHL Entry Draft

2025-26 Stats: Finished season with Grand Rapids and totaled two points (1-1—2), two penalty minutes and a plus-one rating in three appearances…Made AHL/North America debut on April 11 against Rockford, securing first AHL point with an assist…Scored first AHL goal on April 19 at Cleveland…Spent majority of season with HPK in the Liiga, Finland’s top professional league…Totaled 28 points (17-11—28), 13 penalty minutes and a minus-four rating in 54 regular-season games with HPK, adding four points (1-3—4) in nine games…Ranked among HPK regular-season leaders in points (3rd), assists (12th) and goals (2nd)…Ranked among Liiga U21 regular-season leaders in points (T2nd), assists (T6th), goals (2nd) and points-per-game (.52, 5th).

Career Highlights: Second season as a Griffin…Fourth year pro…Scored first AHL goal on April 19, 2026, at Cleveland…Made AHL/North America debut with Grand Rapids on April 11, 2026, against Rockford, securing first point with an assist…In the Liiga (Finland) from 2022-26, totaled a combined 83 points (35-48—83) in 145 regular-season games…Scored a career-high 17 goals in 2025-26 with HPK in the Liiga (Finland)…Signed first NHL contract with Detroit on June 3, 2025, a three-year, entry-level deal…In 2024-25 with HPK, ranked first among U20 players in the Liiga (Finland) with 44 points (14-30—44) in 46 games…Won a silver medal and was named a top three player for Team Finland at the 2025 World Junior Championship, showing seven points (6-1—7) in seven outings…Won a Liiga silver medal in consecutive seasons from 2022-24 with Pelicans…Named a top three player for Team Finland at the 2023 U18 World Junior Championship with five points (3-2—5) in five contests…Made professional debut with Pelicans (Liiga/Finland) on Oct. 5, 2022, at KooKoo…Spent entire youth career with the Pelicans organization in Finland from 2019-24.

#93 Theo Rochette | 5-11, 170 lbs.

Hometown: Neuchatel, Switzerland

Drafted: Undrafted

2025-26 Stats: Won a silver medal with Team Switzerland at the World Championship, showing six points (3-3—6) in 10 games…Skated in third pro season with Lausanne HC in the NL (Switzerland) and logged 43 points (22-21—43), 14 penalty minutes and a plus-12 rating in 46 regular-season games, adding seven points (1-6—7) in seven playoff outings…Named to NL Media All-Star Team and NL Media Swiss All-Star Team…Pro career highs in goals, assists, points and plus-minus rating…Ranked among team leaders in points (T2nd), assists (T4th), goals (1st) and plus-minus (4th)…Placed among league leaders in points (T8th), goals (T3rd) and points-per-game (.93, 11th).

Career Highlights: First season as a Griffin…Fourth year pro…Won a silver medal with Team Switzerland at the 2026 World Championship, showing six points (3-3—6) in 10 games…Throughout three seasons in the National League (Switzerland) with Lausanne HC from 2023-26, totaled a combined 104 points (50-54—104) in 131 regular-season games, adding 33 points (16-17—33) in 45 playoff outings…Named to the 2025-26 NL (Switzerland) Media All-Star Team with 43 points (22-21—43) in 46 outings…In 2024-25, ranked first in the National League (NL) with 11 playoff goals…Named the NL Rookie of the Year in 2023-24 with 30 points (12-18—30) in 47 contests…Reached the NL Finals with Lausanne HC in two-straight seasons from 2023-25…Collected first pro goal and assist during two-point night on Sept. 16, 2023, against SCL (NL/Switzerland)…Made pro debut with Lausanne HC (NL/Switzerland) on Sept. 13, 2023, at Fribourg-Gotteron…Throughout five QMJHL seasons from 2018-23, totaled a combined 317 points (115-202—317) in 271 regular-season games, adding 41 points (11-30—41) in 40 playoff outings…In 2022-23, became QMJHL champion and Memorial Cup champion as captain of the Quebec Remparts, and named to Memorial Cup All-Star Team…Ranks among the Quebec Remparts all-time leaders in points (258, 4th) and assists (161, 2nd)…Competed with Team Canada White U17 at the 2019 U17 World Hockey Challenge, notching seven points (2-5—7) in five games…Skated with Lausanne HC’s youth teams from 2013-18.

DEFENSEMEN

#3 Ronnie Attard | 6-3, 215 lbs.

Hometown: White Lake Township, Mich.

Drafted: Philadelphia’s 3rd choice, 72nd overall, in 2019 NHL Entry Draft

2025-26 Stats: Participated in first season with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) and totaled 17 points (3-14—17), 38 penalty minutes and a plus-three rating in 44 regular-season games…Added two goals, two penalty minutes and a plus-three rating in four playoff outings.

Career Highlights: First season as a Griffin…Fifth year pro…First pro playoff goal on April 26, 2024 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton…2024 AHL All-Star Classic participant, representing Lehigh Valley…10 goals in 2023-24 tied for 10th among AHL defensemen…Competed with Team USA at the 2023 World Championship, showing one goal, two penalty minutes and a plus-two rating in four appearances…Collected first pro playoff point with an assist on April 20, 2023 at Charlotte…Made pro postseason debut on April 18, 2023 at Charlotte…Ranked among the 2022-23 AHL rookie defensemen leaders in points (32, 7th), assists (20, T10th), goals (12, T1st) and plus-minus (+10, 9th)…As an AHL rookie in 2022-23, notched regular-season career highs in goals (12), assists (20), points (37), plus-minus (+10), shots (158) and games played (68)…First AHL goal during three-point night (2-1—3) on Oct. 23, 2022 against Cleveland…First AHL point with an assist on Oct. 22, 2022 against Cleveland…Made AHL debut on Oct. 15, 2022 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton…In 2021-22, totaled NHL career highs with Philadelphia in games played (15), goals (2), assists (2), points (4) and penalty minutes (8)…First NHL/pro goal on April 9, 2022 against Anaheim…First NHL/pro point with an assist on April 5, 2022 against Columbus…Made NHL/pro debut with Philadelphia on April 2, 2022 against Toronto…In 2021-22 as a junior at Western Michigan University, named to the NCAA West First All-American Team, NCHC All-Tournament Team, NCHC First All-Star Team, USCHO Second Team and dubbed NCHC Best Offensive Defenseman for second straight season…Placed among 2021-22 NCAA defensemen leaders in points (36, 4th), assists (23, T16th), goals (13, T4th) and points-per-game (.92, 7th)…Named to 2020-21 NCAA West First All-American Team, NCHC First All-Star Team, and dubbed NCHC Best Offensive Defenseman…Ranked among 2020-21 NCAA defensemen leaders in points (22, T6th), assists (14, T11th), goals (8, 3rd) and points-per-game (.88, 7th)…Named to 2019-20 NCHC All-Rookie Team with 14 points (6-8—14) and a plus-21 rating in 30 games…NCAA debut with WMU on Oct. 11, 2019 at Ohio State…2018-19 USHL Player of the Year, USHL Defenseman of the Year and USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year with 64 points (30-34—64), 66 penalty minutes and a plus-46 rating in 48 games with Tri-City…Named to 2018-19 USHL First All-Star Team when he paced the league in plus-minus (+46) and led all defensemen in goals (30) and points (64)…Won a gold medal with Team USA U19 at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge, showing three points (1-2—3) and 10 penalty minutes in six outings.

#8 Shai Buium | 6-4, 210 lbs.

Hometown: San Diego, Calif.

Drafted: Detroit’s 3rd choice, 36th overall, in 2021 NHL Entry Draft

2025-26 Stats: Skated in second pro season with the Griffins and accumulated 14 points (3-11—14), eight penalty minutes and a minus-two rating in 36 regular-season games…Spent the first 31 games of the season (Oct. 10-Jan. 3) on Detroit’s IR after suffering an upper-body injury during the preseason.

Career Highlights: Fourth season as a Griffin…Third year pro…During rookie season with Griffins in 2024-25, tallied 25 points (2-23—25), 22 penalty minutes and a plus-two rating in 67 regular-season games…Made Calder Cup Playoffs debut on April 29, 2025 against Texas…In 2024-25, ranked among the AHL rookie defensemen leaders in assists (23, T6th), points (25, T11th), power-play goals (2, T6th), and power-play assists (9, T6th)…Made pro/AHL debut with Grand Rapids on April 19, 2024 at the Iowa Wild…Signed first pro contract with Detroit on April 17, 2024…Two-time national champion at the University of Denver (2024, 2022)…2024 NCHC tournament champion with Denver…2023-24 All NCHC Second Team member at the University of Denver…Finalist for both the 2023-24 NCHC Offensive and Defensive Defenseman of the Year award…As a junior in 2023-24 at Denver, posted career-high numbers in games played (43), goals (7), assists (29), points (36) and plus-minus rating (+33)…+33 rating in 2023-24 at Denver tied for the highest-ever mark by a Pioneer since the stat began to be tracked in 2005-06…2022-23 NCHC regular-season champion at Denver…2021-22 NCHC regular-season champion at Denver…Named to the 2021-22 NCHC All-Rookie Team with 18 points (3-15—18) and a plus-20 rating in 39 games…Made collegiate debut on Oct. 8, 2021 against Arizona State University…Registered first-career collegiate point during a two-assist night on Oct. 15, 2021 at Air Force…Scored first-collegiate goal on Dec. 10, 2021 at Minnesota Duluth…Named to the 2020-21 USHL All-Rookie Second Team with 26 points (4-22—26), 27 penalty minutes and a plus-16 rating in 50 games with Sioux City…Recorded first USHL goal on Jan. 10, 2021 against Fargo…Made USHL debut on Feb. 8, 2020 against Sioux Falls, recording an assist.

#20 Jacob Truscott (rookie) | 6-1, 198 lbs.

Hometown: Port Huron, Mich.

Drafted: Vancouver’s 3rd choice, 144th overall, in 2020 NHL Entry Draft

2025-26 Stats: Skated in rookie pro season and totaled three points (0-3—3), four penalty minutes and an even plus-minus rating in 12 AHL games with the Griffins…Made pro/AHL debut on Oct. 18 against Manitoba…First pro/AHL point with an assist on Oct. 28 at Iowa…Spent majority of season in ECHL with Toledo, compiling 23 points (4-19—23), 12 penalty minutes and a plus-10 rating in 51 regular-season games…Added three points (1-2—3), 10 penalty minutes and a plus-three rating in 12 Kelly Cup Playoff games…Ranked among Toledo’s regular-season defensemen leaders in points (3rd), assists (3rd), goals (T5th) and plus-minus (T1st).

Career Highlights: Second season as a Griffin…Second year pro…Spent majority of rookie pro season in 2025-26 with Toledo (ECHL), showing 23 points (4-19—23), 12 penalty minutes and a plus-10 rating in 51 regular-season games, adding three points (1-2—3) and 10 penalty minutes in 12 postseason outings in ECHL…Scored first pro goal on Dec. 13, 2025 at Iowa (ECHL)…Secured first pro point with assist on Oct. 28, 2025 at Iowa (AHL)…Made AHL/pro debut with Grand Rapids on Oct. 18, 2025 against Manitoba…Served as captain for University of Michigan from 2023-25, becoming just the ninth multi-year captain at Michigan and the first since former Griffin Luke Glendening (2010-12)…In 2024-25, named to Big Ten Honorable Mention All-Star Team with 16 points (3-13—16) in 36 games…Winner of 2024-25 NCAA Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award…Big Ten champion at Michigan in 2021-22 and 2022-23…Competed for Team USA at 2022 World Junior Championship, appearing in five games with a plus-three rating…Spent five seasons as a Wolverine from 2020-25, showing a combined 70 points (12-58—70), 119 penalty minutes and a plus-44 rating in 166 outings…Selected by Vancouver with 144th overall pick in 2020 NHL Entry Draft…Suited up for Team USA at 2019 U17 World Hockey Challenge and showed one assist and four penalty minutes in five games…Logged two seasons with USNTDP Jrs. in USHL from 2018-20 and notched 19 points (6-13—19) in 52 career contests…Competed for the Little Caesars’ youth program from 2015-18 before joining the junior ranks. 

#37 William Lagesson (veteran) | 6-2, 214 lbs.

Hometown: Gothenburg, Sweden

Drafted: Edmonton’s 2nd choice, 91st overall, in 2014 NHL Entry Draft

2025-26 Stats: Competed in second season as a Griffin and logged 21 points (3-18—21), 36 penalty minutes and a plus-33 rating in 61 regular-season games…Added one assist and 20 penalty minutes in eight playoff games…Plus-33 rating set a career high, ranked first among AHL defensemen and third among all AHL skaters. 

Career Highlights: Third season as a Griffin…10th year pro…In 2025-26 with Grand Rapids, logged a career-high plus-33 rating, which placed third in the AHL and first among AHL defensemen…Posted NHL career-high numbers in points (0-4—4), penalty minutes (32), plus-minus rating (+3) and games played (40) in 2023-24…Skated in 100th NHL game on April 18, 2024 at Vegas…Logged AHL career-high marks in goals (10), assists (22), points (32) and penalty minutes (46) in 65 games with the Chicago Wolves in 2022-23…Collected first NHL point with an assist on Feb. 6, 2021 with Edmonton at Calgary…Made NHL debut on Dec. 31, 2019 with Edmonton against the New York Rangers…Notched 27 points (8-19—27), 45 penalty minutes and a career-high plus-25 rating during rookie season with the Bakersfield Condors (AHL) in 2018-19…Made AHL debut with Bakersfield on Oct. 5, 2018 against Stockton, recording an assist…First AHL goal came on Nov. 8, 2018 at Iowa…Competed at the 2016 World Junior Championship with Team Sweden and paced the tournament’s defensemen with two goals to go with three points (2-1—3) in seven games…With UMass from 2015-17, produced 15 points (4-11—15), 54 penalty minutes and a minus-12 rating in 63 career games…Spent one season in the USHL with Dubuque in 2014-15 and totaled 16 points (2-14—16), 79 penalty minutes and a plus-18 rating in 52 regular-season games…Named a top three player for Team Sweden at the 2014 U18 World Junior Championship, amassing three goals and a plus-five rating in seven contests…Won a gold medal with Team Sweden at the 2013 U17 World Hockey Challenge and notched one assist and 12 penalty minutes in six appearances. 

#41 Alex Kannok Leipert | 6-0, 207 lbs.

Hometown: Regina, Saskatchewan

Drafted: Washington’s 6th choice, 161st overall, in 2018 NHL Entry Draft

2025-26 Stats: Competed in first season as a Griffin and totaled 16 points (2-14—16), 51 penalty minutes and a plus-13 rating in 64 games…Notched career highs in assists, points and games played…Collected two assists in Griffins debut on Oct. 10 at Texas…First goal as a Griffin on Dec. 17 at Iowa.

Career Highlights: Second season as a Griffin…Sixth year pro…In 2025-26 with Grand Rapids, showed career-high numbers in games played (64), assists (14) and points (16)…In 2024-25 with Bakersfield, accumulated then career highs in games played (59), goals (4), assists (7), points (11) and penalty minutes (93)…First-ever two-point night as a pro on April 18, 2025, against Henderson (0-2—2)…Made Calder Cup Playoffs debut on April 26, 2023, with Abbotsford at Calgary, earning an assist in the process…Collected first pro goal on April 9, 2022, with Abbotsford against San Diego…Registered first pro point with an assist on Feb. 9, 2022 with Abbotsford against Tucson…Made AHL/pro debut with Abbotsford on Oct. 16, 2021, at Bakersfield…Selected 161st overall by Washington in 2018 NHL Entry Draft, becoming first Thai-born player to be drafted in NHL…Spent parts of five WHL seasons with Vancouver from 2016-21, serving as captain for final two campaigns from 2019-21…In WHL, totaled 83 points (21-62—83), 240 penalty minutes and a plus-47 rating in 219 regular-season games, adding 12 points (2-10—12) in 28 postseason games…Reached 2019 WHL Playoff finals with Vancouver before falling 4-3 to Prince Albert…In 2016-17, won the SMAAAHL title with Regina, was named to the First All-Star Team, and was dubbed the league’s top defenseman when he paced the league’s blueliners with 35 points (10-25—35) in 44 regular-season games.

#78 Jacob Bryson (veteran) | 5-9, 177 lbs.

Hometown: London, Ontario

Drafted: Buffalo’s 5th choice, 99th overall, in 2017 NHL Entry Draft

2025-26 Stats: Began the NHL season with Buffalo and totaled five points (2-3—5), eight penalty minutes and a minus-one rating in 35 appearances…Two goals notched an NHL career high…Traded by Buffalo to Winnipeg along with Isak Rosen, a 2027 second-round pick, and a conditional 2026 fourth-round pick in exchange for Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn on March 6…Finished campaign with Winnipeg and registered three points (0-3—3), two penalty minutes and a minus-eight rating in 15 outings…Showed a combined eight points (2-6—8), 10 penalty minutes and a minus-nine rating in 50 NHL games.

Career Highlights: First season as a Griffin…Eighth year pro…Competed with the Buffalo Sabres from 2020-26 and logged a combined 48 points (6-42—48) and 58 penalty minutes in 289 appearances…Showed NHL career highs in games played (73), assists (9), points (10) and penalty minutes (12) during 2021-22 season with Buffalo…First NHL assist on March 18, 2021, against Boston…Scored first NHL goal on March 6, 2021, at New York Islanders…Made NHL debut on Feb. 23, 2021, at New Jersey…Compiled 27 points (4-23—27), 34 penalty minutes and a plus-eight rating in 61 games with Rochester (AHL) during rookie campaign in 2019-20…First pro goal on Feb. 19, 2020, against Belleville…First pro point with an assist on Oct. 11, 2019, at Springfield…Made pro debut with Rochester on Oct. 4, 2019, against Syracuse…Signed first pro contract on April 14, 2019, an entry-level deal with Buffalo…Selected with the 99th overall pick by Buffalo in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft…With Providence College from 2016-19, totaled a combined 73 points (11-62—73), 38 penalty minutes and a plus-33 rating in 121 games…Winner of Hockey East’s Len Ceglarski Award (sportsmanship) for two straight seasons with Providence College from 2017-19…Named to 2018-19 Hockey East Second All-Star Team with collegiate highs in games played (42), goals (4), assists (24), points (28) and plus-minus rating (+17)…Alternate captain at Providence College from 2017-19…Named to 2017-18 Hockey East First All-Star Team and NCAA East Second All-American Team…Named to 2015-16 USHL All-Rookie Team with Omaha…In 2013-14, became an Alliance U18 champion with the London Jr. Knights U18 AAA team.

#83 Justice Christensen (rookie) | 5-9, 195 lbs.

Hometown: Red Deer, Alberta

Drafted: Undrafted

2025-26 Stats: Served as captain of Prince Albert (WHL) for second straight season, and notched 48 points (18-30—48), 84 penalty minutes and a plus-36 rating in 63 regular-season games…Reached WHL Finals and totaled 14 points (5-9—14), 22 penalty minutes and a plus-seven rating in 20 playoff contests…Junior career highs in points, penalty minutes and plus-minus rating…Ranked among Prince Albert regular-season leaders in points (7th), assists (6th), goals (7th), penalty minutes (1st) and plus-minus (T5th)…Placed among Prince Albert postseason leaders in points (6th), assists (6th), goals (T6th), penalty minutes (T3rd) and plus-minus (7th)…Ranked among WHL regular-season defensemen leaders in points (17th), goals (T8th), penalty minutes (T12th) and plus-minus (T8th)…Ranked among WHL playoff defensemen leaders in points (6th), assists (T5th), goals (T4th), penalty minutes (T3rd) and plus-minus (T9th).

Career Highlights: First season as a Griffin…First year pro…Throughout four WHL seasons with Prince Albert from 2022-26, registered a combined 148 points (55-93—148) and 296 penalty minutes in 263 regular-season games, adding 20 points (6-14—20) and 48 penalty minutes in 36-career playoff contests…Reached 2026 WHL Finals with Prince Albert Raiders and totaled 14 points (5-9—14) in 20 postseason games, which included five points (4-1—5) in five games during the finals…Two-time captain with Prince Albert (WHL) from 2024-26…In 2024-25, paced all WHL defensemen with 22 goals…Named to WHL East Second All-Star Team in 2023-24 with 45 points (13-32—45) and 84 penalty minutes in 68 games…Competed in 2019-20 AMBHL All-Star Game, representing the Red Deer Rebels U15 AAA.

GOALTENDERS

#30 Trey Augustine (rookie) | 6-1, 190 lbs. 

Hometown: South Lyon, Mich. 

Drafted: Detroit’s 3rd choice, 41st overall, in 2023 NHL Entry Draft

2025-26 Stats: Made pro/AHL debut with the Griffins on April 10 against Chicago, showing 26 saves on 29 shots in a 4-1 defeat…Finished AHL season with a 0-2-0 record, a 3.39 GAA and a .878 save percentage in two games…Competed in junior season at Michigan State University (MSU) and accumulated a 23-7-1 record with three shutouts, a 2.06 GAA and a .930 save percentage in 31 regular-season games…Added a 1-2 postseason record with MSU to go along with a 2.62 GAA and a .928 save percentage…Hobey Baker Award finalist…Richter Award winner, as the best goaltender in college hockey…Big Ten Goaltender of the Year…Named to Big Ten First All-Star Team and NCAA West First All-American Team…Big Ten regular-season champion…Ranked among NCAA leaders in wins (3rd), shutouts (T13th), save percentage (T6th), GAA (12th) and games played (T11th).

Career Highlights: Second season as a Griffin…First year pro…Pro debut with Griffins on April 10, 2026 vs. Chicago (26 saves)...2025-26 Richter Award winner, as the best goaltender in college hockey…At Michigan State from 2023-26, amassed a 66-25-7 ledger with nine shutouts, a 2.40 GAA and a .922 save percentage in 99 appearances...In the all-time rankings at MSU, finished 2nd in save percentage (.922), 5th in GAA (2.40), 6th in saves (2,838), 6th in wins (66) and 6th in shutouts (9)...As a Spartan, won three Big Ten regular-season titles (2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26) and one Big Ten Tournament title (2024-25)...In 2025-26 at Michigan State, named a Hobey Baker Award finalist and the Big Ten Goaltender of the Year with a 24-9-1 record with three shutouts, a 2.11 GAA and a .929 save percentage...Winningest goaltender in Team USA history at World Junior Championship with 12 victories across a record three tournament…Won a gold medal with Team USA at 2025 World Junior Championship, showing a 4-1-0 record, a 2.52 GAA and a .917 save percentage...In 2024-25 at MSU, named the Big Ten Goaltender of the Year and was a First-Team All-American...Competed for Team USA at 2024 World Championship...Won a gold medal with Team USA at 2024 World Junior Championship and led all goalies in GAA (1.75) and save percentage (.936)...2024 Big Ten Tournament champion and MVP...In 2023-24 at MSU, named to Second All-Star Team and All-Rookie Team...Won a bronze medal with Team USA at 2023 World Junior Championship and a gold medal at 2023 U18 World Junior Championship...Silver medalist with Team USA at 2022 U18 World Junior Championship…U15 National Championship in 2021 with Honeybaked U15 AAA.  

#35 Michal Postava | 6-1, 210 lbs.

Hometown: Valasske Mezirici, Czechia

Drafted: Undrafted

2025-26 Stats: Skated in first season as a Griffin and showed a 17-6-0 record with four shutouts, a 1.71 GAA and a .937 save percentage in 25 regular-season games…Along with teammate Sebastian Cossa, named the winners of the 2025-26 Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award, given to the goaltenders on the team that allows the fewest goals per game in the regular season (2.21)…Named starter for Calder Cup Playoffs and went 4-4 with one shutout, a 2.09 GAA and a .912 save percentage in eight games…If had enough minutes played (39 short), would have ranked first in the league during the regular season in GAA and save percentage, and tied for third in shutouts…In the franchise’s all-time single-season record book, placed first in GAA (1.71), first in save percentage (.937) and tied for 10th in shutouts (4)…Four shutouts set a rookie franchise record…Howies Hockey Tape/AHL Player of the Week on April 19 with a 2-0 ledger with one shutout, a 1.01 GAA and a .960 save percentage…Never allowed more than three goals in 25 regular-season games. 

Career Highlights: Second season as a Griffin…Fifth year pro…Along with teammate Sebastian Cossa, winner of 2025-26 Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award, given to team that allows fewest goals per game in AHL (2.21)…Collected first Calder Cup Playoff shutout on May 3, 2026 at Manitoba (2-0 W, 30 saves)…Made Calder Cup Playoff debut on May 2, 2026 at Manitoba…In rookie AHL season in 2025-26, logged a 17-6-0 mark with four shutouts, a 1.71 GAA and a .937 save percentage in 25 regular-season games, adding a 4-4 record in the postseason with a 2.09 GAA and a .912 save percentage…1.71 GAA and .937 SV% in 2025-26 ranked first in franchise history for a single season…First AHL shutout on Jan. 17, 2026 against Milwaukee, setting Griffins franchise record for most saves in a win (10)…Collected a win in AHL debut on Oct. 11, 2025 at Texas (3-2 W, 27 saves)…Czech Extraliga champion with Kometa Brno in 2025, showing a league-best .940 save percentage with a 1.97 GAA and a 10-7 record in 17 playoff games…In 2024-25, ranked among Czech Extraliga leaders in save percentage (.921, 5th), GAA (2.39, T11th), wins (23, 4th), games played (42, T2nd) and shutouts (3, T7th)…In 2023-24 with Prerov (Czechia2), logged career-high totals in games played (44), GAA (1.82), save percentage (.943) and shutouts (6)…Named Best Goaltender and All-Star Team in Czechia2 in 2023-24 when he paced the league in wins (23) and save percentage (.943)…In 2022-23, led Czechia2 with a 2.07 GAA…First pro shutout with HC Prerov on March 6, 2021, at HC Banik Sokolov in Czechia2 (32 saves)…First pro victory came with HC Prerov (Czechia2) on Jan. 20, 2021, against AZ Havirov behind 19 saves…Competed in parts of five seasons in Czechia2 with Prerov from 2019-24, registering a 46-46-0 mark, a 2.01 GAA and a .936 save percentage in 96 combined games…Held best save percentage (.938) in Czechia U16 league in 2017-18 with Prerov U16. 

COACHING STAFF

Head coach Dan Watson 

Fourth year as head coach…Reached 2026 Central Division Finals for second time in last three years…In 2025-26, became the third head coach in franchise history to reach the postseason in each of his first three full years as head boss (Jeff Blashill 2012-15 & Todd Nelson 2015-18)…Named the head coach of the Central Division at the 2025-26 AHL All-Star Classic for the second straight season, becoming the second coach in team history to attend two all-star events and the first in its AHL history…Led the Griffins to a Central Division title as well as a Western Conference championship in 2025-26 with a franchise-record 51-16-4-1 (.743) mark…Began 2025-26 season with a 29-1-1-1 record and the 17-game point streak on the road from Oct. 10, 2025-Jan. 23, 2026 (15-0-1-1), set a new AHL record…Became eighth of the last nine Griffins head coaches to win first playoff series, defeating the Rockford IceHogs 3-1 in the 2024 Central Division Semifinals…In first year at the helm in 2023-24, Watson led Griffins to a second-place finish in Central Division with a 37-23-8-4 record and 86 points, team’s best finish since 2016-17…Head coach of the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye from 2016-19 and 2021-23…Led Toledo to a 45-19-5-3 record (0.681) and a second-place finish in the Central Division in 2022-23…Went 9-4 in the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs to reach the Western Conference Finals…Been with the Red Wings organization for the past 14 years, holding multiple roles with the Walleye since the team’s inception…Served two seasons (2014-16) as Toledo’s associate head coach alongside head coach Derek Lalonde, who enters his second season behind the Red Wings’ bench…Reached the Kelly Cup Finals twice (2019 and 2022) and led Toledo to three division titles (2016-17, 2017-18 and 2021-22), three 100-point seasons (2016-17, 2017-18 and 2021-22), two regular-season championships (2016-17 and 2021-22), and four Western Conference Finals berths (2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023)…2016-17 John Brophy Award winner as the ECHL’s Coach of the Year…Fastest coach in ECHL history to reach 100 wins and the winningest head coach in Walleye history…Enters the campaign with a 309-135-30-17 (.667) record during the regular season and a 56-38 (.596) mark over only six playoff campaigns…Signed as a free agent defenseman with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2000, Watson went on to collect 89 points (23-66—89) and 394 penalty minutes in 410 pro regular-season games between the AHL, ECHL and UHL.

Assistant coach Steph Julien 

Fourth season as an assistant coach for the Griffins…Last campaign, helped the Griffins reach the Central Division Finals for the second time in the past three years…Aided the team to a Central Division Title as well as a Western Conference championship during the 2025-26 regular season with a franchise-record 51-16-4-1 (.743) mark…Led the attack of the 2025-26 Griffins to 255 goals, which were the most since 2008-09 when they played eight more games…Griffins ranked second in the AHL in 2025-26 with 3.54 goals per game under Julien’s guidance…In 2024-25, aided the Griffins to a third-place finish in Central Division and reached the division semifinals for the second consecutive season…In first season with Griffins in 2023-24, helped guide team to its best finish since 2016-17, ending season in second place in Central Division with a 37-23-8-4 record and 86 points…In 2022-23, named the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Coach of the Year as well as the QMJHL General Manager of the Year when he helped lead the Sherbrooke Phoenix to a Central Division title and a trip to the QMJHL semifinals with a 50-13-3-2 regular-season record (0.772)…Earned a gold medal as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2023 World Junior Championship…Guided Canada’s U18 squad to a gold medal at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup…Head coached Canada’s Black U17 squad at World U17 Hockey Challenge, claiming a bronze medal…Began national coaching career in 2017 as an assistant coach for Team Canada at 2017 World Junior Championship, earning a silver medal…Served as an assistant coach for Sherbrooke in the QMJHL from 2012-16 before being named head coach midway through the 2015-16 season…QMJHL Coach of the Year in 2019-20…As head coach, notched a 262-161-24-17 record (0.609) with three division titles and one league championship…Served as Sherbrooke’s general manager from 2020-23…Named 2022-23 QMJHL General Manager of the Year…Collected 667 points (205-462—667) in 775 pro games from 1995-2012, playing majority of career overseas in Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

Assistant coach Brian Lashoff

Fourth season as an assistant coach for the Griffins…Last campaign, helped the Griffins reach the Central Division Finals for the second time in the past three years…Aided the team to a Central Division Title as well as a Western Conference championship during the 2025-26 regular season with a franchise-record 51-16-4-1 (.743) mark…Led the 2025-26 penalty kill to a 86% kill rate, which ranked first in the AHL during the regular season…In 2025-26, Lashoff’s defense ranked first in the AHL with 2.21 goals per game during the regular season and allowed more than two goals just 25 times (34.7%)…Aided the Griffins to a third-place finish in the Central Division with a 37-29-4-2 mark in 2024-25, reaching the division semifinals for the second straight year…In first season in the coaching ranks last season, Lashoff helped guide Griffins to their best finish since 2016-17, ending season in second place in Central Division with a 37-23-8-4 record and 86 points…Spent all or part of 14 seasons (2008-13; 2014-23) on the Griffins’ blue line, including the last three as the team’s captain…Competed in seven campaigns (2012-15; 2016-20) with the Detroit Red Wings…Two-time Calder Cup champion with Grand Rapids (2013, 2017)…Playing captain at the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic, marking first career all-star nod…Ranks second on Griffins’ all-time games played list with 628, totaling 132 points (32-100—132)…One for four defensemen and 12 skaters to record 100 career assists for Grand Rapids…Contributed 20 points in 75 playoff games for the Griffins, second-most postseason appearances in franchise history…Logged 15 points (2-13—15) in 136 regular-season games with the Red Wings…Played entire career within Red Wings organization, making pro debut with the Griffins at the age of 18…After going undrafted out of the OHL, went on to suit up for 767 professional games and registered 148 points (34-114—148) and 394 penalty minutes…Gold medal with Team USA at 2010 World Junior Championship.

Goaltending coach Roope Koistinen

Fourth season as goaltending coach for the Griffins…Under Koistinen’s guidance, Sebastian Cossa and Michal Postava were the winners of the 2025-26 Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award, given annually to the goaltender(s) on the team that allows the fewest goals per game in the regular season…Grand Rapids paced the 2025-26 AHL with 159 goals allowed (franchise record) and totaled 10 shutouts (tied franchise record)…Also in 2025-26, Cossa became the first Griffins goalie to earn consecutive all-star selections, and the first Griffins player since Chris Terry (2019 and 2020)…In the franchise’s all-time single-season record book, Postava’s 2025-26 numbers placed first in GAA (1.71), first in save percentage (.937) and tied for 10th in shutouts (4)…Cossa ranked among the 2025-26 AHL leaders in GAA (2.33, 5th), save percentage (.915, 6th), wins (26, 3rd) and shutouts (5, 2nd)…Finally in 2025-26, Cossa was named the AHL Goaltender of the Month twice (November and December) and player of the week on Nov. 30, while Postava garnered the player of the week on April 19…In 2024-25, helped Cossa to a 21-15-5 record with a 2.54 GAA and a .911 save percentage, as the netminder earned his first-ever AHL All-Star Classic appearance…In 2024-25 under Koistinen’s guidance, Cossa ranked among AHL leaders in games played (T8th), wins (T10th), GAA (11th) and save percentage (T13th)…In first season with team in 2023-24, coached Cossa to a 22-9-9 record with two shutouts to go with a 2.41 GAA and a .913 save percentage…Under his guidance, Cossa ranked among the 2023-24 AHL leaders in GAA (T6th) and save percentage (T13th), and set a new franchise record with a 19-game point streak (13-0-6)…With Karpat’s youth programs in Finland from 2014-23, serving in multiple roles…2023 U17 World Hockey Challenge bronze medalist with Team Finland, serving as goaltending coach…Assistant coach for Finland’s U17 team, collecting bronze medal at 2023 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival…From 2015-23, goaltending coach for Karpat’s U18 and U20 clubs in addition to being director of goaltending development…Goaltending coach for Finland U16 from 2018-19 and 2021-22…Goaltending coach for Finland U17 from 2019-20 and 2022-23…Finished fourth at the 2021 U18 World Junior Championship as Finland’s goaltending coach…Spent entire playing career as a goaltender with KKP’s youth teams in Finland.

Video coach Brad Krakowitz

Second season as video coach for the Griffins…Last campaign, helped the Griffins reach the Central Division Finals for the second time in the past three years and aided the team to a Central Division Title as well as a Western Conference championship during the regular season with a franchise-record 51-16-4-1 (.743) mark…Helps staff prepare, evaluate and assess their game both as a team and individuals…Assistant video coordinator for the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners from 2022-25…Assistant coach for Tucson Jr. Roadrunner from 2019-23…Worked for Recruit Scouting from 2020-22, scouting draft-eligible prospects…Native of Baltimore, Maryland.