
SEASON SYNOPSIS
The 2022-23 season was another lackluster one for the Grand Rapids Griffins. Despite having a roster full of young talent and strong veterans, the Griffins failed to make the playoffs for the second year in a row. To add insult to injury, their 64 points and record of 28-36-4-4 placed Grand Rapids toward the bottom of the league standings (30th out of 32 teams).
At the end of the season, General Manager Shawn Horcoff decided the Griffins needed a new voice in the locker room and decided to not renew the contracts of all of the coaching staff except video coach Mike Knuble (who ended up leaving the organization on June 22).
-
Ep 69: NHL Preseason, Rumors, Mike Babcock Saga
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 4:07 am
Jim and Chris are back to discuss the beginning of the NHL preseason, the […]
Even though the season was a little cloudy for the Griffins, there were many bright spots on the roster which helped salvage the season.
Forward Taro Hirose led the Griffins with 41 assists and 57 points, while Joel L’Esperance led the team with 25 goal. L’Esperance’s 14 power play goals was third best in the league, tied with Michael Carcone of the Tucson Roadrunners.
Jared McIsaac brought strength to the blue line at both even strength and on the power play. His ability to compose 200-foot plays based on how the opponent was playing allowed the Griffins to string together multiple successful plays all season.
(List accurate as of Sept. 19th, 10:30am ET)
UNDER CONTRACT AND RE-SIGNINGS
Forwards
- Austin Czarnik – Last year of two-way NHL contract
- Cross Hanas – Second-to-last year of entry-level contract
- Taro Hirose – Last year of two-way NHL contract
- Joel L’Esperance – Last year of AHL contract
- Amadeus Lombardi – First year of entry-level contract (entry-level slide; played for Grand Rapids and Flint Firebirds of the OHL in 2022-23)
- Dominik Shine – Last year of AHL contract
- Elmer Söderblom – Second-to-last year of entry-level contract
- Carter Mazur – Signed a three-year, entry-level NHL contract on March 28 (played for Grand Rapids on an ATO and Univ. of Denver [NCAA] in 2022-23)
- Matt Luff – Signed one-year, two-way NHL contract on July 1
Defensemen
- Simon Edvinsson – First year of entry-level contract
- Albert Johansson – Last year of entry-level contract
- Emil Viro – Second-to-last year of entry-level contract
- William Wallinder – Signed a three-year, entry-level NHL contract on March 27 (played for Grand Rapids on an ATO and Rögle BK of the SHL in 2022-23)
- Wyatt Newpower – Signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract extension on July 14
- Trenton Bliss – Signed a one-year AHL contract extension on July 15
- Jared McIsaac – Signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract extension on July 15
Goaltenders
- Sebastian Cossa – First year of entry-level contract
- John Lethemon – Signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract extension on July 8
Coaches
- Brian Lashoff – Retired from playing career at the end of the 2022-23 season; announced as assistant coach of the Griffins on June 26
NEW ADDITIONS
Forwards
- Marco Kasper – First year of entry-level contract (entry-level slide; played for Detroit and Rögle BK of the SHL in 2022-23)
- Alexandre Doucet – Signed a three-year, entry-level NHL contract on March 1 (played for the Halifax Mooseheads and the Val-dOr Foreurs of the QMJHL in 2022-23)
- Tim Gettinger – Signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract on July 1 (played for the Hartford Wolf Pack in 2022-23)
- Nolan Stevens – Signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract on July 3 (played for the Utica Comets in 2022-23)
Defensemen
- Antti Tuomisto – Signed a two-year, entry-level NHL contract on March 19 (played for TPS of Liiga in 2022-23)
- Brogan Rafferty – Signed a two-year, two-way NHL contract on July 1 (played for the Coachella Valley Firebirds in 2022-23)
- Josiah Didier – Signed a one-year AHL contract on July 2 (played for the Providence Bruins in 2022-23)
Goaltenders
- Alex Lyon – Signed a two-year, one-way NHL contract on July 1 (played with Florida and Charlotte in 2022-23)
Coaches
- Dan Watson – Announced as the 12th head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins on June 14 (coached the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL in 2022-23)
- Roope Koistinen – Announced as goaltending coach on July 3 (previously the goaltending coach for Karpat U20 in 2022-23)
- Stephane Julien – Announced as assistant coach on June 26 (previously the head coach of the Sherbrook Phoenix of the QMJHL in 2022-23)
DEPARTURES
Forwards
- Pontus Andreasson – Signed a four-year contract with Lulea HF of the SHL on April 25 (did not receive qualifying offer from the Red Wings on June 30)
- Jasper Weatherby – Signed one-year, two-way NHL contract with the Nashville Predators on July 3 (did not receive qualifying offer from the Red Wings on June 30)
- Drew Worrad – Signed a one-year AHL contract with the Hartford Wolf Pack on July 12
- Alex Chiasson – Signed a PTO with Boston on August 22 (split time between Detroit and Grand Rapids in 2022-23)
- Kirill Tyutyayev – Signed a one-year contract with ECHL Toledo on August 22 (split time between Grand Rapids and Toledo in 2022-23)
- Chase Pearson – Signed a one-year contract with HK Dukla Michalovce of the Slovakia Tipos Extraliga on September 8
- Danny O’Regan – Signed a one-year contract with MoDo Hockey of the SHL on September 20
Defensemen
- Donovan Sebrango – Traded to the Ottawa Senators in the Alex DeBrincat trade on July 9
- Seth Barton – Signed a one-year AHL contract with the Hartford Wolf Pack on July 12
Goaltenders
- Victor Brattström – Signed one-year contract with HV71 of the SHL on June 13
- Alex Nedeljkovic – Signed one-year, one-way NHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1
- Ryan Bednard – Signed a one-year AHL contract with the Ontario Reign on August 15 (played five games on loan from ECHL Greenville in 2022-23)
Coaches
- Todd Krygier – Contract not renewed at the end of the season
- Mike Knuble – Announced he was leaving the organization on June 22
- Ben Simon – Hired by the Iowa Wild as an assistant coach on July 6
- Brian Mahoney-Wilson – Hired as assistant coach for Northeastern Univ. [NCAA] on July 27
- Matt McDonald – Hired as assistant coach for Bridgeport on September 1
(Special thanks to CapFriendly and Elite Prospects for all the contract terms and definitions for this offseason player tracker!)
———————
Other 2023 AHL Off Season Trackers :
Links will be updated as articles are released.
Central
- Chicago Wolves
- Grand Rapids Griffins
- Iowa Wild
- Manitoba Moose
- Milwaukee Admirals
- Rockford IceHogs
- Texas Stars
Pacific
- Abbotsford Canucks
- Bakersfield Condors
- Calgary Wranglers
- Coachella Valley Firebirds
- Colorado Eagles
- Henderson Silver Knights
- Ontario Reign
- San Diego Gulls
- San Jose Barracuda
- Tucson Roadrunners
Atlantic
- Bridgeport Islanders
- Charlotte Checkers
- Hartford Wolf Pack
- Hershey Bears
- Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Providence Bruins
- Springfield Thunderbirds
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
North
- Belleville Senators
- Cleveland Monsters
- Laval Rocket
- Rochester Americans
- Syracuse Crunch
- Toronto Marlies
- Utica Comets
-
Ep 69: NHL Preseason, Rumors, Mike Babcock Saga
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 4:07 am
Jim and Chris are back to discuss the beginning of the NHL preseason, the […]
-
Ep 68: Auston Matthews Extension, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Much More
by Full Press Coverage on September 1, 2023 at 2:23 am
Jim and Chris are back to chat about the Auston Matthews extension, the […]
-
Ep 67: Karlsson Trade, Matt Dumba Signs, NHL News and Notes
by Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2023 at 2:21 am
Jim and Chris discuss the big Erik Karlsson trade to Pittsburgh, the Matt […]
-
Around the NHL: What is Going in Tampa and Toronto As Training Camps Begin
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
-
Around the NHL: Mike Babcock Resigns as Head Coach In Columbus
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 1:48 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
-
Around the NHL: From Columbus to Montreal To Calgary To Atlanta
by Full Press Coverage on September 16, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
-
Ep 86: David Krejci Announces Retirement
by Full Press Coverage on August 14, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Ian and Chris react to David Krejci's retirement. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Ep 85: Offseason Reset: Lucic, Bergeron, Krejci, and More
by Full Press Coverage on July 23, 2023 at 2:10 pm
Ian and Chris discuss the changes the Bruins have seen over the last few […]
-
S5Ep3 - Mike Babcock Out in Columbus and Steven Stamkos Drops The Hammer in Tampa
by Jim Biringer on September 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
-
S5Ep2 - What Carey Price Meant to the Montreal Canadiens
by Jim Biringer on September 19, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
-
Nashville Predators Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 25, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Hunter Logan Previews the Nashville Predators Stack the Pucks gives a […]
-
Minnesota Wild Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 4:10 pm
Hunter Logan Previews The Minnesota Wild Stack the Pucks gives a […]
-
Dallas Stars Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 3:45 pm
Hunter Logan Previews The Dallas Stars Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown […]
-
Episode #144: 22-23 AHL Awards Show
by Full Press Coverage on July 14, 2023 at 10:00 pm
The 2022-23 AHL season has come to a close, and what better way to […]
-
Episode #143: Dessert > Desert
by Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2023 at 5:54 pm
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah wrap up the […]
-
Full Press Canadiens - 9-22 - Bogan Konyushkov is dominating the KHL
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 4:30 pm
Josh Gosse and Jesse Poirier speak about the latest Montreal Canadiens […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-25 - Recapping the Wild’s preseason opener.
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Preseason, Daemon Hunt, injury Learn more about your ad choices. Visit […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: Representation Matters
by Charlie Saunier on September 24, 2023 at 5:01 am
ROP Special Commentary: Representation Matters Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Canadiens 9-22 - Intra-squad scrimmages
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Josh Gosse and Jesse Poirier speak about the latest Montreal Canadiens […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-22 - Recapping prospect camp and a player signing.
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Prospect camp, signing, Jujhar Khaira Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
Leafs Digest - 9-22 - Nylander MOVED to Center, Murray and Muzzin OUT for Season | Toronto Maple Leafs News and Updates
by BCM on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Zack Phillips reacts to Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach, Sheldon Keefe, […]
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointments
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John react to a fascinating Week 3 in the NFL and talk about some […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talk
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teams
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointments
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John react to a fascinating Week 3 in the NFL and talk about some […]
-
Ep 184: Week 3 Instant Reaction
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 12:47 am
The Green Bay Packers were in another 1-point game, this time a 18-17 win […]
-
Ep 135: 49ers Move To 3-0, NFC South Buy or Sell, Week 3 Picks/Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Ian and Braden discuss the 49ers win on Thursday Night Football, the […]
-
Ep 171: Discussing The Career Of George Kunz With Son Matt
by Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Matt Kunz, son of former Colts lineman George […]
-
Ep 183: The Sandman
by Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
This week we're diving back into the extreme and looking at the career of […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talk
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saints
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
In this episode, Kyle Senra is joined by Courtney Burrows (luvtractor3) […]
Comments 1