GROwl

Seeing the two on the ice together (which I did; several times regular season and playoffs), I'd pick Nyquist over Tatar. From the defensive zone to the offensive, Nyquist controlled the play. Better skater, better puck handling skills, better playmaker. Also showed great patience on the ice. AHL regular season stats showed Tatar and Nyquist as having same amount of goals, yet Nyquist played fewer games. He also had quite a few more assists and spent less time in the box.

I will be there Friday (& Saturday if necessary). Another sell out

I guess that could happen. I also chatted with an older man a few years ago who had borrowed skates from one of the Griffins for the post-game skates. He was the Griffin player's father-in-law. He was in town visiting and his young grandson wanted him to go out on the ice with him after the game. But unless you have similar connections, best to bring your own skates.

Sorry - just saw your post. I've skated with the kids many times after games. Definitely bring your own skates - there are none available to rent, borrow or steal. Also, to save time after the game, stop at Guest Services before the game or during one of the intermissions to pick up and sign a waiver form. Give it back to them and they will stamp your hand. At the end of the game, go down to the south tunnel where the zamboni comes out - you can either go to the west side or the east side. The east side has less people generally for whatever reason. There is usually a Throw-for-Dough right after the game that you will have to wait for. You then go down through the tunnel where there will be folding seats set up to sit down on and put on your skates. Leave your shoes there. Go back through the tunnel (there will be mats so you don't need to worry about your blades). Skip waiting in line at the table since you've already turned in your waiver and go directly to the ice. You'll be able to skate about 40 minutes. At the beginning, there will be lots of kids, but they start leaving after 15 minutes or so. The ice will be chopped up since the zamboni doesn't come out between the end of the game and the post game skate, but its still fun. Afterwards, if you know any of the players (or want to meet some), they are generally passing through the area where you put your skates on since its between their locker room and their parking lot. Have fun.

I think you're very close. Often, the last name stays the same as the parents. It a baby's middle name that generally is a form of the father's name. "ova, ovna, eva or evna" translates to daugther of. "ov, ovich, ev, or evich" translates to son of. We need a lot of future ___ Pavelevich Datsuk(s)to maintain the excellence of Red Wing Hockey!

This is one of the best fundraisers in the hockey world. I've attended it in the past with my kids; it was fun for the fans watching, those playing, and the Griffins themselves. Highly recommend for all ages!

Robin BigSnake caused a lot of laughter at a Muskegon game we went to a few years ago...both for his name and his play. I don't think he ever played in the NHL though he went to one of the Wings' training camps. Last week when Joey Mac and Thomas McCollum were both up with the Wings, the Griffins signed Dov Grumet-Morris to be backup goalie.

Don't let this turn you off. Its never to late to start playing (I started at 40+ and am having a ball). If you still live in Allegan, there are several possiblities. 1. Jolly Rogers in GR. Offers an adult learn to skate/learn to play on Sunday late afternoons. 1/2 spent on skating drills, 1/2 hour on puck drills and 1/2 hour scrimmage. Call and ask for Kurt to find out more. 2. Walker Ice and Fitness Center in GR. Offers an instructional league on Thursday mornings (6-7 am) during the Fall and Winter, Monday evenings 7-8:30 pm during the Spring and Summer. Hockeysmith South is the program. http://www.hockeysmithsouth.net is the website. 3. The Edge in Holland. Travis Richards, who played in the AHL for 13-15 seasons offers an adult clinic. I think its every week drop-in style. Rumor has it that Southside (100th Avenue and US 131) has been purchased by The Edge and is reopening soon. Travis is expected to move there. Call The Edge for more details.

I've done some hockey drills with Mike Knuble three times over the past few summers. He was really funny and gave me some pointers. I still suck.

To cheer us all back up, we need someone to start a post with the BEST non-professional league jerseys.

According to the Griffins, Evan McGrath has been reassigned by the Detroit Red Wings to Syracuse of the AHL. Best wishes, Evan - we enjoyed watching you over the past 4 years! "GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday announced that center/left wing Evan McGrath has been reassigned to the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch by the Detroit Red Wings. McGrath, 24, has appeared in 57 games for the Griffins this season, totaling 19 points (8-11—19), 25 penalty minutes and a minus-18 rating. The Oakville, Ontario, native was Detroit’s second choice (128th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Outside of a nine-game stint (6-9—15) with the ECHL’s Toledo Storm during his rookie season, McGrath’s entire four-year pro career has been spent with Grand Rapids. Eighth on the Griffins’ all-time list with 262 games played, McGrath has contributed 115 points (49-66—115), 116 PIM and a minus-14 rating since making his pro debut with the club in 2006. The Griffins this week embark on a season-high six-game road trip, beginning with a visit to North Division-leading Hamilton this Friday at 7:30 p.m."

That's been my understanding too. Also, it only applies is he signed the multi-year deal past 35. If he signed a 15 year deal when he was 25, the cap hit doesn't apply if he retires a few years early.

Lifelong, There is a Holiday Inn not too far from the Van Andel Arena. I've had cocktails there and attended meetings, but haven't actually stayed in one of the rooms. Its a little further away (still within walking distance) but a lot less expensive than the Amway Grand or the JW Marriott. Here's the website: http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/grand-rapids/grrpe/hoteldetail Have fun!

I honestly can't answer that question even after watching him play for several years. Evan doesn't have any great strengths or weaknesses. His speed is okay. His playmaking is okay. His offense and defense are both okay. His size is okay. I guess that's the answer as to why he never cracked the Wings' lineup. He is an okay hockey player surrounded by several very good ones.

I thought the Wings article in the GR Press a few nights ago a little strange. It listed a roster of 15 forwards (and then suggested that either Ritola or Miller would be gone), 8 defense (added that Meech would be traded, "barring an injury"), and just one Goalie - Jimmy. Maybe it was just an inadvertent omission...

Like! Joey himself wasn't terrible. Having a 3rd goalie on any team is a terrible position. The Wings only kept a 3rd goalie on the roster that year because they were concerned about Hasek's health and knew that Joey wouldn't clear waivers. They were correct. Almost as soon as he was put on the wire, he was snatched up.

The good news is that I heard Jamie bought a house in the GR area. So he could know more than what's been released.

I agree. A trip up to Traverse City for training camp might be happening. I'd like to see the brothers play on a line together.

I'd be pretty surprised if Detroit signs Jamie again. There's a better chance for GR to offer him a contract directly if his agent can't talk another NHL club into taking a chance on Jamie. Jamie offers a degree of entertainment on the ice. However, none of his skills IMO either individually or collectively will earn him a permanent spot on an NHL roster. The competition is too tough from higher skilled players. His leadership may also be in question given the team's as a whole on/off ice antics last season. If its one or two guys who lose motivation or behave badly, I wouldn't point to the leader. When it become several, one begins to wonder...

Anyone know if he has an out in his contact which would let him go back to Finland and play if he doesn't make the Wings team?

CapnSmitty is right. The Griffins are independently owned (by a group headed by Dan DeVos). They have had a Primary Affiliation with the Detroit Red Wings since 2002. Prior to that, it was with the Ottawa Senators. The newest agreement was signed in the Spring of 2007 and extends for a 5 year period - if I remember correctly. As part of the 2007 agreement, the Wings acquired responsibility for the GR coaches, and immediately fired Head Coach Greg Ireland who was the winningest coach ever for GR. I think this responsibility was negotiated back the following year after a horrible season with the new coach that Detroit picked. He was released too. Also based on the agreement, Detroit must provide a minimum number of players to GR - I want to say its like 16 or 18. The rest are GR's responsibility. They sometimes sign a secondary affiliation with another NHL team - like with Dallas when the Stars were without their own primary AHL affiliate. As part of the affiliation agreement, GR works with the NHL club to determine how much playing time a player gets and on any individual development issues. It is not common for employees of the AHL affiliate to graduate up to the NHL affiliate since they are usually independently owned. However, often the AHL coaches and equipment managers become like Black Aces similar to the players when the AHL season is done if the NHL team is still in the playoffs.

Yeah, Ryan's best spot might be behind the bench. PK's - both the great defensive play and the ability to turn them into short-handed scoring opportunities - was his greatest asset. If the hip injury restricts his speed, his playing future may be limited.

Tatar is a good kid with a lot of talent. There were several "problems" on the Griffins team this past year resulting in players being reassigned, finishing last in the conference, etc. I was pleased that Tatar stayed away from that crap and was still able to shine. Hopefully Jiri Fischer is working closely with this kid.

Back on topic...there is slim to no chance that you'll see Evan McGrath back in GR or Detroit. He fell out of favor and spent the last half the season in Syracuse. Its too bad. He, Frankie Lemieux, and Frankie Pare had some great chemistry two years ago. But they couldn't find it again last year. Lemieux was sent to Vegas and then to Austria. Pare is the only one left and probably doesn't have enough skill to make up for his very small size to get to the NHL.