Left wing David Pope spent the majority of his rookie season with the Griffins, tallying three points (2-1—3) in 28 games before finishing the year with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye and producing four points (3-1—4) in seven contests.

28 GP, 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, -1 rating, 12 PIM with GRG
7 GP, 3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points, -3 rating, 0 PIM with Toledo

20 GP, 4 goals, 9 assists, 13 points, +8 rating, 6 PIM with Toledo

Under contract for 2019-20

28 – In his taste of professional hockey, Pope skated in 28 games with the Griffins. He made his AHL debut during the team’s home opener on Oct. 12 vs. Hershey and picked up his first point on an assist. A day later at Chicago, Pope netted his first pro goal.

109 – Pope was selected in the fourth round, 109th overall, by the Red Wings in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Pope is the fifth player from eight-player draft class to suit up for the Griffins, joining Tyler Bertuzzi (Griffin from 2014-18), Mattias Janmark (2013-14), Anthony Mantha (2014-17) and Zach Nastasiuk (2013-18).

7 – Pope was reassigned by Detroit to the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye on March 28. He finished the campaign with the Walleye and chipped in four points (3-1—4) in seven games. Pope made his ECHL debut on March 29 vs. Kansas City. He lit the lamp for the first time in the ECHL on April 5 at Wheeling and that started a three-game goal streak to close the regular season.

20 – Pope helped Toledo advance to the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history, skating in 20 of the club’s 24 postseason games. The Central Division Semifinals against Fort Wayne was his most productive as he contributed six points (1-5—6) and Toledo won the series in six games.

6 – Pope ranked among Toledo’s leaders in postseason scoring with 13 points (6th), nine assists (T6th), four goals (T8th) and a plus-eight rating (T3rd).

8th – Among ECHL rookies, Pope placed among the playoff leaders in points (8th), assists (T4th), goals (T9th), games played (T12th) and plus/minus rating (T2nd). He also ranked as one of the leaders among all ECHL playoff skaters in plus/minus (T6th), points (T17th) and assists (T14th).

MLive – Former Griffins making mark in ECHL playoffs with Toledo Walleye

Photo at top by Sam Iannamico/Griffins