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RWC Archives - January 29 Grand Rapids Griffins Update
Robinson, Hudler show promise on farm ...
By Jason Kasiorek
www.griffinscentral.com
January 29, 2004
If the kids on the farm are any indication, the future looks bright for Detroit.
Dynamic forward
Nathan Robinson
has taken yet another step forward in his quest for fulltime NHL employment. In his 22 games since being demoted by Detroit, the 22-year-old has 16 goals and 25 points.
Jiri Hudler
has six goals and 23 points during the same span.
Thanks to an 11-game undefeated streak, the Griffins stand atop the AHL with a 27-12-8 record.
The following is a report on the Griffins players (statistics listed as GP-G-A-PTS-PIM, plus-minus):
Ryan Barnes
(43-1-9-10-108, plus-2) has gone back to being an enforcer, and has dropped the gloves with more frequency. The downside is that Barnes has gone from a regular player to a spare part.
Darryl Bootland
(25-7-1-8-93, even) is finally starting to rebound after returning from the NHL. He has been more of a presence on the ice, drawing other teams into penalties rather than serve them himself.
Matt Ellis
(33-3-4-7-13, even) is a buzz-saw on the ice and his feet never stop moving. Ellis excels defensively, blocking shots, checking, and killing penalties.
Danny Groulx
(47-5-8-13-49, plus-14) has been coming around offensively, and has already surpassed last season's 10-point output, which took him 71 games to reach. He has also been rock-solid defensively and plays a strong physical game.
Jiri Hudler
(25-9-19-28-12, plus-16) has seven points in seven games as he learns the North American game. He has taken a lot of abuse lately and would benefit from adding strength to withstand the punishment.
Derek King
(46-6-15-21-13, plus-3) has turned his game around after being converted to a defenseman, where he has seven points in his last eight games. He seems to have taken advantage of the extra time this position gives him to react to the play.
Tomas Kopecky
(26-4-3-7-16, minus-1) is an extra forward and hasn't shown any signs of breaking out of his season-long slump. Kopecky needs to wake up soon and salvage what has been a mediocre sophomore year.
Marc Lamothe
(32 GP, 1.93 GAA, .925 SPCT) has kept up his steady play between the pipes, running his personal unbeaten streak to seven games.
Joey MacDonald
(16 GP, 2.10 GAA, .932 SPCT) is doing what he can to earn the starting job in Grand Rapids next year. After posting his first shutout of the season against San Antonio, MacDonald has a 10-2-3 record.
Kevin Miller
(41-15-14-29-8, plus-1) has been streaky this season, going long stretches without hitting the score sheet and then erupting for a multi-point night.
Anders Myrvold
(47-0-13-13-62, plus-2) plays to his strengths ' passing and skating ' but is a liability in other areas and makes poor defensive decisions.
Michel Picard
(43-8-26-34-27, even) has evolved from sniper to playmaker on a line with surging sniper
Nathan Robinson
. He has produced at nearly a point-per-game level lately.
Nathan Robinson
(43-20-18-38-35, plus-9) continues to improve in leaps and bounds, and is showing off some incredible offensive moves. He fights for the puck and position, using his game-breaking speed to create plays and space.
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