HUSSEY AND KOLANOS MAKE 21
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday assigned forwards Matt Hussey and Krystofer Kolanos to the Grand Rapids Griffins. In addition, the Griffins signed defenseman Tom Galvin to a professional tryout, and released forwards Ryan Barnes, Jeff Campbell and Lucas Lawson.
Galvin, 26, begins his third pro season and his first AHL campaign. The Notre Dame graduate split the 2005-06 season between Muskegon and Quad City of the United Hockey League, finishing with 31 points (5-26—31) in 77 games.
Hussey, 27, enjoyed a breakout season with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2005-06, posting career highs with 21 goals and a team-leading 30 assists and 51 points. He also paced the Penguins with seven game-winning goals, helping them earn the East Division championship and the third-best record in the AHL at 51-18-5-6 (113 points). Hussey’s hot start – he totaled 19 points (9-10—19) in his first 17 games before being recalled by the Pittsburgh Penguins – propelled Wilkes-Barre to an incredible 20-0-2-1 record out of the gate.
Kolanos, 25, averaged a point per game in 40 AHL appearances last season with San Antonio, Lowell and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, notching 20 goals and 20 assists. The 19th overall selection by Phoenix in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he made his pro debut with the Coyotes in 2001-02 and has since totaled 17 goals and 35 points in 115 NHL contests. Kolanos logged 15 games last season with Phoenix and Edmonton, showing three points (2-1—3).
As a result of today’s transactions, the Griffins’ regular season roster stands at 21 players: goaltenders Jimmy Howard and Stefan Liv; defensemen Tom Galvin, Derek Meech, Nick Naumenko, Kyle Quincey, Dan Smith and Dan Syvret; and forwards Darryl Bootland, Brendan Brooks, Matt Ellis, Stephane Goulet, Eric Himelfarb, Matt Hussey, Ryan Keller, Krystofer Kolanos, Josh Langfeld, Evan McGrath, Kip Miller, Ryan Oulahen and Brock Radunske.
Grand Rapids will open the 2006-07 regular season with three straight road games, beginning this Friday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. versus the San Antonio Rampage. The Griffins will host the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights for their home opener next Saturday, Oct. 14. Game time at Van Andel Arena is 7 p.m.
Tickets for all 40 Griffins regular season home games can be purchased in person at The Zone at Van Andel Arena and all Star Tickets Plus locations (including Meijer stores), by phone through Star Tickets Plus at 800-585-3737, or via the web at griffinshockey.com. Full season tickets, five-, 10- and 20-game value plans, and group ticket packages are available through the Griffins office at (800) 2-HOCKEY.
Galvin, 26, begins his third pro season and his first AHL campaign. The Notre Dame graduate split the 2005-06 season between Muskegon and Quad City of the United Hockey League, finishing with 31 points (5-26—31) in 77 games.
Hussey, 27, enjoyed a breakout season with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2005-06, posting career highs with 21 goals and a team-leading 30 assists and 51 points. He also paced the Penguins with seven game-winning goals, helping them earn the East Division championship and the third-best record in the AHL at 51-18-5-6 (113 points). Hussey’s hot start – he totaled 19 points (9-10—19) in his first 17 games before being recalled by the Pittsburgh Penguins – propelled Wilkes-Barre to an incredible 20-0-2-1 record out of the gate.
Kolanos, 25, averaged a point per game in 40 AHL appearances last season with San Antonio, Lowell and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, notching 20 goals and 20 assists. The 19th overall selection by Phoenix in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he made his pro debut with the Coyotes in 2001-02 and has since totaled 17 goals and 35 points in 115 NHL contests. Kolanos logged 15 games last season with Phoenix and Edmonton, showing three points (2-1—3).
As a result of today’s transactions, the Griffins’ regular season roster stands at 21 players: goaltenders Jimmy Howard and Stefan Liv; defensemen Tom Galvin, Derek Meech, Nick Naumenko, Kyle Quincey, Dan Smith and Dan Syvret; and forwards Darryl Bootland, Brendan Brooks, Matt Ellis, Stephane Goulet, Eric Himelfarb, Matt Hussey, Ryan Keller, Krystofer Kolanos, Josh Langfeld, Evan McGrath, Kip Miller, Ryan Oulahen and Brock Radunske.
Grand Rapids will open the 2006-07 regular season with three straight road games, beginning this Friday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. versus the San Antonio Rampage. The Griffins will host the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights for their home opener next Saturday, Oct. 14. Game time at Van Andel Arena is 7 p.m.
Tickets for all 40 Griffins regular season home games can be purchased in person at The Zone at Van Andel Arena and all Star Tickets Plus locations (including Meijer stores), by phone through Star Tickets Plus at 800-585-3737, or via the web at griffinshockey.com. Full season tickets, five-, 10- and 20-game value plans, and group ticket packages are available through the Griffins office at (800) 2-HOCKEY.