Detroit Red Wings

The Daily: Being a Detroit Red Wings Farm Hand A Path to the Olympics

Published

2 years ago

January 27, 2022

Valtteri Filppula, former Detroit Red Wings

Former Detroit Red Wings player Valtteri Filppula is one of 13 former Grand Rapids Griffins playing at the Beijing Olympics

A look at the Beijing rosters suggests that becoming a member of the Grand Rapids Griffins was the best path to earning a trip to the 2022 Games. The Griffins are the Detroit Red Wings’ farm team.

Thirteen former Griffins players are on the rosters of seven different countries competing in next month’s Olympic tournament. Originally, NHL players were scheduled to compete. But the NHL scrubbed that plan because of COVID-19.

The ex-Griffins: Andy Miele and Pat Nagle (USA); Landon Ferraro, Eddie Pasquale and Ben Street (Canada;) Jake Chelios and Ryan Sproul (China); Libor Sulak (Czech Republic); Valtteri Filppula and Harri Sateri (Finland;) Tomas Jurco and Patrik Rybar (Slovakia) and Mathias Brome (Sweden).
China doesn’t have Olympic-caliber players. It will use players from the country’s Kontinental Hockey League team.

In addition, Mike Fountain will coach in the Paralympic Winter Games scheduled for March in Beijing. Fountain is in his fourth year as the goaltending coach for Canada’s Para Hockey Team.

Trade Rumor of the Day

The Flyers are laying the ground work for dealing Claude Giroux before the deadline. They can probably get a first round pick, and one or two other assets for him. Sam Carchidi’s story.

Around the NHL

Detroit: It felt like 1980s night when the Chicago Blackhawks downed the Detroit Red Wings 8-5 at Little Caesars Arena.

Also, Red Wings prospect Donovan Sebrango takes pride in being difficult to play against. The Red Wings need more players with that trait.

Florida: Lucas Carlsson is proving himself to the Panthers.

Montreal: The Habs are sellers but could Montreal coach Dom Ducharme might be on the hot seat too? Executive vice president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton already said he’s safe until the offseason.

Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jeff Carter has become a vital player for the Pens’ offense. He got a two-year extension at 37. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now).

Washington: Evander Kane isn’t like to end up playing for the Capitals. Reports say Kane going to Edmonton.

Vancouver: According to TSN, Vancouver’s police department charged ex-Vancouver player Jake Virtanen with sexual assault.