2019-20 Season in Review

May 20, 2020 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release

Lost: Season 24: On March 12, the American Hockey League announced the suspension of play until further notice, effective immediately, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 16, the AHL advised its clubs that the indefinite suspension of AHL play would not be lifted before May and the league recommended that teams facilitate the return of AHL players to their primary residences. On May 11, the AHL announced that the league's Board of Governors had voted to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 regular season and the 2020 Calder Cup Playoffs due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. Albeit shortened, the Grand Rapids Griffins, under second-year head coach Ben Simon, completed the franchise's 24th overall season of play, 19th as a member of the AHL and 18th as the primary affiliate of the 11-time Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings with a 29-27-3-4 record (65 pts.), including 15-11-2-3 at Van Andel Arena and 14-16-1-1 on the road, and a third-place finish in the Central Division. Grand Rapids has competed in 1,881 regular season games between the International Hockey League and AHL since 1996-97 and totaled a 994-683-27-61-116 record (0.583) to go along with seven division titles and two Calder Cup championships (2017, 2013).

Statement from AHL Following Cancellation: "After a lengthy review process, the American Hockey League has determined that the resumption and completion of the 2019-20 season is not feasible in light of current conditions. The League's operational focus has turned toward actively preparing for the 2020-21 season. We are very grateful to the National Hockey League and its teams for their support and leadership in navigating through the challenges faced over the past two months. The AHL continues to place paramount importance on the health and safety of our players, officials, staff and fans and all of their families, and we all look forward to returning to our arenas in 2020-21."

Would Have Counted: Grand Rapids finished third in the Central Division alongside a 0.516 points percentage and was in position to extend its franchise record with an eighth consecutive berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs. This would have been the franchise's 18th overall qualification for the postseason. Eight consecutive seasons in the Calder Cup Playoffs would have tied for the longest active streak in the AHL with Providence, who led the Atlantic Division with a 0.661 points percentage when play was halted.

Bill LeRoy (1963-2019): Griffins video coach Bill LeRoy unexpectedly passed away on Friday, Nov. 1 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, after a lifelong battle with Type 1 diabetes. A valued member of the Griffins' coaching staff since 2001, Bill was a key contributor to the team's success on the ice for nearly two decades. Bill's impact upon the organization endures and he is incredibly missed.

Follow the Leader(s)

Points: Terry (51), Puempel (39), Ford/Hirose/Hicketts (27)

Goals: Terry (21), Puempel (17), Svechnikov/Veleno (11)

Assists: Terry (30), Hicketts (25), Hirose/Puempel (22)

PIM: Smith (75), McIlrath (73), Svechnikov (61)

Plus/Minus: Elson (+8), Turgeon (+7), Lashoff (+6)

GP: Turgeon (63), Elson (61), Pearson (59)

PPG: Terry (11), Puempel/Svechnikov (6), Tangradi/Zadina (5)

PPA: Puempel (14), Hicketts (13), Terry (12)

Goalies: GP, Record, GAA, SV%

Pat Nagle: 20, 9-8-1, 2.32, 0.920

Calvin Pickard: 33, 17-12-4, 2.86, 0.903

Grand Rapids Griffins lineup (Sam Iannamico/Griffins)

American Hockey League Stories from May 20, 2020

• Norris and Batherson Named to 2019-20 AHL First and Second All-Star Teams - Belleville Senators
• Rise Together, Montreal Canadiens, Laval Rocket, Evenko and L'Equipe Spectra's Fundraising Initiative to Raise $66,340 with First Round of Auctions - Laval Rocket
• 2019-20 American Hockey League First and Second All-Star Teams Named - AHL
• MacDonald Named AHL Second Team All-Star - Colorado Eagles
• Ingram Named Second Team AHL All-Star - Milwaukee Admirals
• Boucher, Rafferty Earn League Honors - Utica Comets
• Alex Barre-Boulet Named to 2019-20 AHL Second All-Star Team - Syracuse Crunch
• 2019-20 Season in Review - Grand Rapids Griffins
• Amerks Sign Jesper Olofsson to One-Year AHL Deal - Rochester Americans

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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