This year’s path to the Olympics included a stop in Grand Rapids to work for the Griffins for six players and three others involved in team management in Italy.
According to the Griffins, they boast one current player (Latvia right wing Eduards Tralmaks) and eight alumni participating in Italy. The list:
USA center Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings)
Czechia defenseman Filip Hronek (Vancouver Canucks)
Czechia defenseman Radim Simek (Liberec, Czechia league)
German defenseman Moritz Seider (Detroit Red Wings)
Slovakia forward Tomas Tatar (Zug, Swiss League)
Canada assistant GM Jim Nill (Dallas Stars GM)
Canada Assistant Coach Bruce Cassidy (Vegas Golden Knight coach)
Sweden Assistant coach Andrea Lilja (Swedish national team)
Cassidy was the Griffins head coach from 2000-2002, while Nill was Griffins GM from 2011-13.
In 2022, four former Griffins won medals with Valtteri Filppula and Harry Sateri helping Finland win gold, while Patrik Rybar and Tomas Jurco helped Slovakia win its first Olympic hockey medal.
Red Wings In Case You Missed It
Defenseman Moritz Seider named alternate captain of German Olympic team.
It’s official: Red Wings broadcasts will be on MLB Network starting next season.
Behind the paywall: Kane’s U.S. scoring record won’t be going away soon.
Red Wings Extra
Grand Rapids Griffins forward Eduards Tralmaks (18 goals) is playing on Latvia’s top line at the Olympics. . . Griffins’ John Leonard withdrew from tonight’s AHL. He hasn’t played since Jan. 31, missing the last three Griffins games for undisclosed reasons. . .Former Detroit players Tomas Tatar was named captain of the Slovakia Olympic team…
Red Wings Digest
Boston: Bruins prospect James Hagens was the MVP of the Beanpot Tournament. Boston Bruins
Philadelphia: William James explains why Matvei Michkov needs more ice time. Philadelphia Flyers.
Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski writes about the five big differences with the Penguins this season. Pittsburgh Penguins.