AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins Take to the Ice with Wings

Published on September 13, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Detroit Red Wings opened training camp at Centre ICE in Traverse City, Mich., on Friday morning with 69 players on their roster. Counted among this collection of NHL stars and future prospects are nine players who have previously played for or are currently under contract to the Grand Rapids Griffins, now the primary affiliate of the 2002 Stanley Cup champions.

The two highest scoring wingers in Griffins history, Michel Picard and Derek King, now find themselves clad in the famous winged wheel. In addition, seven Grand Rapids-contracted players are participating in Detroit's camp, including forwards Hugo Boisvert, Rob Collins, Nick Greenough and Tim Skarperud, and defensemen Sheldon Brookbank, Travis Richards and Dave Van Drunen.

Griffins Head Coach Danton Cole and Assistant Coach Todd Nelson are assisting the Red Wings coaching staff for the duration of camp, which ends in Traverse City next Thursday, Sept. 19. Players have been divided into four teams that are practicing in two groups each day and playing a round-robin tournament leading up to championship games on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

Games are scheduled each day through Monday at 9:45 and 10:35 a.m., concluding with Tuesday's Bronze Medal (4:00 p.m.) and Gold Medal (6:15 p.m.) contests.

The training camp roster will be pared down and split into two teams for an intrasquad game on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., followed by a final practice on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. The Red Wings will then depart for Grand Rapids for that night's Red & White Game at Van Andel Arena at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets to the Red & White Game are available only through the purchase of a Griffins full season or mini-plan ticket package. Call (800) 2-HOCKEY for more information. Fans may also visit griffinshockey.com before noon on Wednesday, Sept. 18 to register for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the game.

The Griffins will commence their seventh training camp on Monday, Sept. 30, and will open the 2002-03 American Hockey League regular season on Saturday, Oct. 12, when the Cleveland Barons visit Van Andel Arena at 7:30 p.m.

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American Hockey League Stories from September 13, 2002


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