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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Prusek and Gruden Named First-Team AHL All-Stars

March 29, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids Only AHL Club to Land Two Players on First Team

Grand Rapids, MI - Grand Rapids Griffins goaltender Martin Prusek and defenseman John Gruden have been named to the 2002 American Hockey League First All-Star Team, the league announced on Friday.

Gruden and Prusek, invaluable members of the Griffins' league-leading defense, were the only teammates selected to the First Team through a vote of players and media in each of the AHL's 27 cities. It marks the first time in franchise history that Grand Rapids has had two players named to a First All-Star Team.

Prusek, 26, is authoring one of the most dominant seasons in the AHL's 66-year history. In his first season in North America, the native of Ostrava, Czech Republic, has backstopped the Griffins to the best record in the Western Conference at 39-24-11-0. He currently leads the circuit with a 1.80 goals against average and a 0.933 save percentage, while posting a 16-6-5 record and a team-high four shutouts in 29 appearances.

His save percentage is on track to surpass the modern-era record of 0.930 set by Rochester's Martin Biron in 1998-99, while his goals against average threatens the all-time standard of 1.79 established 64 years ago by Providence's Frank Brimsek. In addition, Prusek is vying to become the first AHL goalie since 1938-39 to complete a season with a GAA below 2.00.

Prusek was selected to play in the 2002 AHL All-Star Game as a member of the PlanetUSA squad, but a knee injury forced him to sit out 30 Griffins games and more than two months of action. He has been spectacular since returning to the lineup on February 16, allowing only 18 goals in 14 games with a 1.25 GAA and a 0.950 save percentage. Prusek's current GAA is nearly one-third of a goal lower than the franchise record (2.08) set by Mike Fountain last season.

Ottawa's sixth choice in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Prusek made his debut with the Senators last Saturday night in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Atlanta Thrashers. He returned to the Griffins' lineup on Wednesday.

Gruden, 31, is enjoying the finest of his three seasons in a Griffins uniform. Although currently sidelined by a cracked tibia, the Virginia, Minnesota, native leads all AHL defensemen and is tied for second overall in the league with a plus-27 rating.

The veteran blueliner, who helped lead the Griffins to a finals appearance and a regular season championship during their last two seasons in the International Hockey League, has totaled 17 points (3-14--17) in 54 games this year.

Gruden played for PlanetUSA in the 2002 AHL All-Star Game and is one of the anchors of a defense that currently leads the AHL in both goals allowed (2.22 per game) and shots allowed (25.43 per game). In fact, the Griffins will likely shatter the league mark for fewest goals allowed at home (83, Rochester 2000-01), as they stand at 75 heading into tomorrow's home finale against Rochester. Overall, Grand Rapids is on pace to allow 178 goals, two more than the record set by Rochester in 1998-99.

Boston's third choice in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, Gruden has appeared in 81 NHL games since completing a brilliant career at Ferris State University in 1994.

Joining Prusek and Gruden on the First All-Star Team are Philadelphia defenseman John Slaney, Worcester center Eric Boguniecki, Hamilton left wing Jason Chimera and Hartford right wing Brad Smyth.

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