Red Wings Daily: Grand Rapids Griffins Well Represented in Stanley Cup Final

The AHL farm club of the Detroit Red Wings will be featuring representation on both sides of the Stanley Cup final argument. It doesn’t matter whether the Colorado Avalanche or Tampa Bay Lightning win the Stanley Cup. Either outcome will be making some level of Grand Rapids Griffins history.

The best-of-seven Stanley Cup final series is getting underway on Wednesday at Colorado’s Ball Arena.

The Colorado-Tampa Bay matchup in the Stanley Cup Final is guaranteeing that the name of at least one former Griffin will be a Cup addition. It will be the ninth time in the last 15 years and the 11th time in the last 18 seasons this is happening.

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If the Avalanche are the winners, coach Jared Bednar will become the first former Griffin earning the Stanley Cup as a coach. Darren Helm would be joining fellow former Red Wings forward Tomas Kopecky as the only alumni winning a pair of Stanley Cups as players after leaving Grand Rapids.

Tampa Bay Lightning Assistant General Manager Stacy Roest is a former @griffinshockey player (2002-03) & is now a two-time Stanley Cup champion in that role.

Coming up during @FOX17 News at 4 PM: We talk about his journey, hoisting two cups, Steve Yzerman & more. 🏒🏆 pic.twitter.com/dxWBtsAr0v

— Zach Harig (@zach_harig) July 16, 2021

On the other hand, if the Lightning win, assistant GM/Director of Player Development and ex-Red Wings forward Stacy Roest is the one making history. He would become the first Griffins alum either winning three Stanley Cups after his GR career or winning three Cups in a row at any point during his life.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Red Wings prospect Sebastian Cossa is their goalie of the future but that future isn’t now
• The connection of Red Wings legend Gordie Howe to the Stanley Cup final began in 1938 and was still going in 2006
• Jeff Blashill won’t be the next coach of the Philadelphia Flyers but don’t be surprised if the ex-Red Wings bench boss lands an NHL coaching job soon

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