Red Wings Daily: Griffins Honor Former Captain Jeff Hoggan

The Grand Rapids Griffins were recognizing someone who was chiefly for forming a successful culture around the franchise. Saturday before their game with the Texas Stars, they hoisted the #10 jersey of former captain Jeff Hoggan to the rafters. Hoggan became just the third player in franchise history to have his jersey retired, joining #24 [Travis Richards] and #7 [Michel Picard].

“I guess it’s the peak of a long journey,” Hoggan said. “It’s truly special, there’s no doubt. Just thinking about it when they first called me you get choked up a little bit knowing the journey was long.

“I played 16 years, the majority in the minors. Unceremoniously you retire, but when you sit back and reflect, when an organization like Grand Rapids takes the time to put you in that light and be able to share it with my family and everyone back there for four great years in my life and career, it is truly special.”

Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill was behind the GR bench when Hoggan was playing for the Griffins.

“The impact that Jeff Hoggan’s had on the Griffins isn’t just measured in the success during the years he was there but I think it’s still being measured today,” Blashill said.

Griffins Victory Not In The Stars

Grand Rapids couldn’t pair the Hoggan ceremony with a victory. GR suffered a 3-2 loss to the Stars.

Another quick thinking pass by Jonatan Berggren on the power play led to Riley Barber's goal.

Barber now leads the team with 8 power play goals#GoGRG #LGRW @FPC_AHL pic.twitter.com/56W3OIitDd

— Elaine Shircliff (@imaraindancer) March 26, 2022

Riley Barber scored his fifth goal in six games for the Griffins. Jonatan Berggren and Jared McIsaac each collected assists.

Frolunda Wins Opener

Frolunda HC opened their best-of-seven Swedish Hockey League quarter-final series with a 4-3 overtime victory over defending champion Vaxjo. Frolunda blew a 3-1 lead but won on an OT tally by ex-Red Wings forward Jan Mursak.

Frölunda wins game 1 in OT, and doubtless the man-of-the-match was Elmer Söderblom.
With 2 assists, +3 and 10 shots (5 SOG) he was a problem for Växjö all game #LGRW pic.twitter.com/16bNIGs3rS

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) April 1, 2022

Detroit prospect Elmer Solderblom collected two assists and had five shots on goal. Defenseman Simon Edvinsson, the Red Wings’ first pick in the 2021 NHL entry draft, also dished out a helper.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Why the Red Wings should keep defenseman Marc Staal (DHN+)
• A look at where Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond fit among Detroit’s most dynamic rookie duos
• Jonatan Berggren is ready to go whenever the Wings give him the call
• Red Wings radio play-by-play voice Ken Kal (COVID-19 positive test) is on the shelf for a week

Around The NHL

Boston: The Boston Bruins come to Detroit on Tuesday and defenseman Mike Reilly intends to be in their lineup.

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Philadelphia: Coach Mike Yeo’s benching of Keith Yandle, ending the defenseman’s NHL-record consecutive games streak at 989, didn’t still well some of Yandle’s Philadelphia Flyers teammates.

Vancouver: Is the NHL going soft? Vancouver Hockey Now’s Rob Simpson sure thinks so and he doesn’t mind telling you about it.