A day with the Grand Rapids Griffins
What you should see (and do) on your trip this season and beyond!
If the Detroit Red Wings are having an exciting season, the Grand Rapids Griffins are having a legendary one.
The Griffins are currently the number one team in the AHL with a 33-6-2-1 record. To say they’ve had an unbelievable season is an understatement. Everyone’s firing on all cylinders. Goaltender Sebastian Cossa sports a jaw-dropping 1.99 goals against average (GAA) and .927 save percentage. Players like Amadeus Lombardi are scoring at a near point-per-game pace (20 points in 22 games). Oh, and did I mention that the Griffins have three All-Stars, an All-Star coach, and an Olympian?
At the rate things are going, the Griffins have the chance to break the most wins in AHL history record (currently held by the Hersey Bears at 52). Last week, I visited Grand Rapids and attended a game at Van Andel Arena to see for myself what makes the Griffins so special. Here’s what I found!
Why you should support the Griffins
There’s something special about the AHL that just can’t be captured anywhere else. It reminds me a lot of college football. Players are hungry. They’re making the most of every minute, doing their best to stand out and, hopefully, earn a call-up to the NHL. Physicality is the name of the game here. In the AHL, you’ll see more hits and fights than you could fathom.
The AHL doesn’t have the oversight or layers of approval that the NHL does when it comes to game day presentations. This means the AHL can have a little more fun with it. The playlists have greater variation, the jumbotron features funnier presentations, and, much to my relief, the dreaded “6-7 Cam” the LCA insists on using wasn’t present.
If we’re getting into the brass tacks, the Griffins are also cheaper than the Wings. You can get a good pair of seats in Van Andel for anywhere from $27-45 a ticket. Plus, they’ve got some insane promo nights. I went during $2 hot dog and beer night. Yes, you read that correctly: you can get five hot dogs for $10. Or five beers for $10. Or any combination of the two.
Above all else, you should support the Griffins because the AHL is where stories begin. It’s where Moritz Seider got his start in North America. It’s the place that shaped guys like Jimmy Howard, Justin Abdelkader, Gustav Nyquist, and Tomas Tatar. Even Dylan Larkin had a stint with the Griffins.
Watching the AHL is like watching the future through a crystal ball. You might not get the clearest picture, but you can catch glimpses of what could be in the future. You might catch a long-time NHL vet clawing his way back to the big leagues. Or you might see a young star in the making making a case for himself. The AHL is a league of stories. And they are stories worth telling.
Insider knowledge on Red Wings prospects
One of the best parts about this job is the people you meet along the way. I’m so fortunate to have met up longtime friends of 313 Hockey, Brandon Cooke and Elaine Shircliff. Brandon is one of the key members of Hockeytown West, a podcast dedicated to the Griffins, while Elaine is the host of Graced by Rain, a Jack-of-all-trades podcast that highlights the Griffins. I met up with both Brandon and Elaine between periods to get their read on what has been a stellar season so far for the Griffins — and how the prospects have played a part.
On the development of prospects
J: So, this has been a crazy season for the Griffins. What have you seen from the prospects so far this season?
B: You see them learning. When you’re surrounded by this much veteran leadership, you can see them learning and absorbing. I think that’s been a real key for them this year. They’re learning how to play the game off the ice and how to be a pro.
E: We’ve been seeing more confidence from them, too. They’ve been able to brush off adversity and just keep going. [Gabriel] Seger’s probably the most emotionally well-adjusted player on the team. We’ve seen the prospects really come into their own this year.
Standout stars
J: Who do you think has been the most improved player of the season so far?
E: Oh, it’s gonna hurt me to say this [laughs] but William Wallinder. He’s improved a ton. Ondrej Becher, too. He’s getting stronger and getting good along the boards. He wasn’t like that last season and his face offs are getting exponentially better. He’s definitely one to watch.
B: It’s obviously a tough example tonight [the Griffins lost 5-0 to the Chicago Wolves] but I would say Cossa — especially with the consistency aspect of his game. That’s what we were looking for from him. He can be lights out at the beginning of the season, but it was important to see how he adjusted long-term.
What to know about the Griffins
J: I know this is a broad question, but what would you like people who don’t really watch the Griffins to know about the team and the games?
B: I mean, the best thing I can say is if you haven’t been to a game, come to a game. You can watch where Detroit develops and see where the long-term picture comes together.
E: The AHL is really special. There’s no other league like it because the passion comes from players both young and old. You get to see a nice mold of veterans and youth. It’s a bit more fun in that way.
Thank you to both Elaine and Brandon for stopping by to answer some questions! Next time I promise I’ll get a picture!!!
Where to go in Grand Rapids
If you’re planning a trip to Grand Rapids and haven’t been (or haven’t been in a while), boy is there a lot to see and do. I lived in Grand Rapids from 2017-2021 and visiting this weekend felt like I was in a completely different city. The place is changing constantly. New stores are opening, restaurants are posting up, and you can throw a rock and hit a brewery just about anywhere in town.
Here’s what I’d recommend you check out if you’re visiting:
Fun:
If you’ve ever wondered what a whale skeleton looks like, the Grand Rapids Public Museum has one hanging in their concourse. There are plenty of secrets to be found in the museum and Ah-Nab-Awen Park is gorgeous any time of the year!
If you happen to be visiting on a warmer day, stop by the Frederik Meijer Gardens to see one of the largest sculpture parks in the world. Highly recommend the Japanese garden section. It’s my favorite!
The John Ball Zoo has baby red pandas. Need I say any more?
Food:
Stella’s Lounge has the best burger and fries in the city. It’s also part arcade and all the games are free! To top it all off, it’s only about a five minute walk away from the Van Andel Arena.
If you’re coming with a group and want to try a bunch of different foods, the
has a handful of restaurants, a sprawling food court, and a gorgeous greenhouse to enjoy.
I’m also a sucker for Two Beards Deli sandwiches. The Old Dutch is a personal favorite!
Drinks:
Across from Stella’s is the Pyramid Scheme, a pinball bar/music venue with cheap drinks!
You really can’t go wrong with bars around the Van Andel. If you’re good with a walk, Founder’s is always fun. If you want something closer, you’ve got your pick of the litter with HopCat and just about every other bar within a two-block radius.
If you’re staying in the Eastown area, The Meanwhile is the best bar in Grand Rapids (and possibly the world? Who knows?).
Let me know in the comments if you would like any other recommendations!