AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

First Griffins Alum Hoists Stanley Cup

Published on June 7, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Tampa, Fla. - With the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals on Monday, Tampa Bay left wing Dmitry Afanasenkov (ahf-ih-nah-SEHN-kahf) became the first former Grand Rapids Griffins player to engrave his name on the most coveted trophy in sports. Afanasenkov, who notched three points (1-2-3) in 18 games for the Griffins in 2001-02 while on loan from the Lightning, appeared in each of Tampa Bay's 23 playoff games. He totaled three points (1-2-3) while averaging 13:05 of ice time, including 14:41 during tonight's clincher. The names of six players with Griffins ties will now grace the Stanley Cup, including five who earned the trophy before playing their first games for Grand Rapids: goaltender Pokey Reddick (1990 Edmonton), defenseman Marty McSorley (1987 and 1988 Edmonton), and forwards Jason Williams (2002 Detroit), Blake Sloan (1999 Dallas) and Danton Cole (1995 New Jersey), the Griffins' current head coach.

Darren Rumble, a reserve defenseman for the Lightning who logged 82 games with the Griffins from 1998-2000, was on Tampa Bay's postseason roster but did not play in any games.

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American Hockey League Stories from June 7, 2004


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