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Hockeytown West
Grand Rapids looking to bring both cups to Michigan
11.26.02 - A new affiliation, a new division and some new faces haven't changed the winning ways in Grand Rapids, where the Griffins enter the last week of November riding a 13-game unbeaten streak (10-0-3-0).
The 2002-03 season brought a wave of change to western Michigan, beginning with a new affiliation agreement with their in-state neighbors, the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings.
Rookie head coach Danton Cole, a Pontiac, Mich., native who played for the Griffins as well as Michigan State, was hired to replace Bruce Cassidy, who now resides behind the Washington Capitals bench.
Former Calder Cup champion Todd Nelson was tapped to be an assistant coach, and Derek King and his 830 games of NHL experience were brought in to serve as a player/assistant.
Detroit's system already boasted an impressive roster of young talent. Center Sean Avery and goaltender Joey MacDonald have already donned a Red Wings sweater this season.
Defenseman Danny Groulx registered 151 points in 90 regular-season and playoff games in junior last year, and was MVP of the Memorial Cup tournament.
Tomas Kopecky was the Wings' second-round pick in the 2000 draft, and Michigan State alum Bryan Adams was a member of Chicago's Calder Cup championship team in 2002.
The Red Wings also made some free-agent signings to bolster the Griffins. Stacy Roest is a former 92-point scorer in the AHL. Michel Picard is one of 63 players in AHL history to record 500 career points, and he currently shares the team scoring lead (22 points) with former Hobey Baker Award finalist Mark Mowers.
Veterans Patrick Boileau and Ed Campbell anchor a defense that has allowed 2.28 goals per game, second-fewest in the league.
Not to be forgotten, goaltender Marc Lamothe is 8-1-4 on the season and hasn't lost in his last 12 decisions.
The Griffins' success has truly been a team effort. Eleven different players have accounted for the team's 11 game-winning goals on the year, and captain Travis Richards, plus-minus leader Dave Van Drunen and rookie Rob Collins out of nearby Ferris State have all scored overtime goals during the current streak. Grand Rapids is 6-0 in one-goal games and 3-0-4 in OT on the year.
Grand Rapids won the West Division as the top affiliate of the Ottawa Senators in 2001-02, and currently leads the Central Division by eight points with an overall record of 11-3-4-0.
