The Grand Rapids Griffins, affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, are making history in the AHL with a memorable and record-breaking season, drawing significant attention in a league known for its fierce competition. This article will delve into the Griffins’ exceptional 2025-26 campaign, examining their impressive roster and comparing their legendary start to some of the most dominant early-season performances in AHL history.
The AHL’s long 72-game regular season typically sees teams fluctuate, and while the Griffins have naturally tempered their initial pace, their start has been nothing short of extraordinary. The league’s historical best belongs to the 1992-93 Binghamton Rangers, who posted an impressive 77.5% point percentage (57-13-10). To put the Griffins’ current achievement into perspective, here are the point percentages of the top regular season teams over the past ten seasons:
- 2015-16: Toronto Marlies (75%)
- 2016-17: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (70.4%)
- 2017-18: Toronto Marlies (73.7%)
- 2018-19: Charlotte Checkers (72.4%)
- 2019-20: Milwaukee Admirals (71.4%)
- 2020-21: Hershey Bears (75.8%)
- 2021-22: Chicago Wolves (72.4%)
- 2022-23: Calgary Wranglers (73.6%)
- 2023-24: Hershey Bears (77.1%)
- 2024-25: Laval Rocket (70.1%).
Notably, the 2023-24 Hershey Bears, who went on to win the Calder Cup, came very close to matching the Rangers’ record.
The Griffins are exceptional in the 2025-26 season
The Griffins’ 2025-26 campaign is truly exceptional. Looking at their first 25 games, they achieved a remarkable 23-1-1 record (94% point percentage), surpassing other historical starts such as:
- 2005-06: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (21-1-3, 90%).
- 1992-93: Binghamton Rangers (20-2-3, 86%).
- 2004-05: Manchester Monarchs (21-3-1, 86%).
In their initial 31 games, the Griffins boasted an astonishing 28-1-2 record, equating to a 93.5% point percentage—an unprecedented level of success in AHL history. While their performance has naturally dipped slightly in the last 10 games (4-5-1), their overall point percentage remains an excellent 81.7%.
On January 23, 2026, the Griffins made history by setting a new AHL record for the most consecutive road games with a point, reaching 17 contests (15-0-2) after defeating the Manitoba Moose 1-2. This surpassed the previous record of 16 games (10-0-6) held by the 2010-11 Milwaukee Admirals.
Next, we delve into the composition of the Grand Rapids Griffins’ talented roster for the 2025-26 season.
The Goaltending
In goal, Sebastian Cossa (born in Hamilton, November 2002), a 2021 first-round pick (15th overall) by the Red Wings, has emerged as a cornerstone, posting an impressive 92.6% save percentage in the 2025-26 season. Cossa made history in his NHL debut with the Red Wings on December 9, 2024, in a 5-6 shootout victory against Buffalo, becoming the first rookie goaltender to win a shootout after coming off the bench.
The Defensive Line
The Griffins, alongside the Providence Bruins, lead the league in goals against. The defensive core features veteran Erik Gustafsson (Nynäshamn, Sweden, March 1992), a 2012 fourth-round pick (92nd overall) by the Oilers, who has contributed 2 goals and 18 assists in 22 games. Antti Tuomisto (Pori, Finland, January 2001), selected by the Red Wings in the 2019 second round (35th overall), has played every game, tallying 6 goals and 12 assists.
Other key defensemen include Swede William Wallinder (Solleftea, July 2002), a 2020 second-round draft pick (32nd overall), and Canadian Ian Mitchell (St. Albert, January 1999), chosen by the Blackhawks in the 2017 second round (57th overall). Alex Kannok Leipert, born in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, in July 2000 and a 2018 sixth-round pick (161st overall) by the Capitals, adds an international flair, having discovered hockey in Regina, Saskatchewan. Rounding out the blue line is seasoned veteran Justin Holl (Tonka Bay, January 1992), a 2010 second-round draft pick (54th overall) by the Blackhawks, who brings significant NHL experience with 421 games played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings.
The Offensive Line
Mirroring their success, the Griffins boast the league’s top offense, averaging 3.47 goals per game. John Leonard (August 1998), a left winger in the prime of his career, leads the team with 40 points (26 goals, 14 assists) in 32 games, having previously played 79 NHL games for the Sharks, Predators, Coyotes, and Red Wings. Sheldon Dries (April 1994), a center with 122 NHL games for the Avalanche and Canucks, is another offensive cornerstone. Right winger Dominik Shine (Detroit, April 1993), despite only 9 NHL games, is a crucial franchise player, having been with the team since the 2016-17 season after his collegiate career at Northern Michigan University.
The performance of Norwegian rookie Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (Oslo, October 2005), a right winger and 2024 first-round pick (15th overall) by the Red Wings, is a significant highlight. Developed in Swedish hockey with Skelleftea, he has already played 9 games with the Red Wings and is the Griffins’ leading assist-getter. Latvian Eduards Tralmaks (Riga, February 1997) is also crucial to the offense, ranking as the second-highest goal-scorer after Leonard and leading the team in +/-. Amadeus Lombardi, a center with several seasons of AHL experience (always with the Griffins, joining from the OHL’s Flint Firebirds), stands out as one of the team’s top assist producers.
Among the other forwards, veteran Austin Watson stands out. The former Senator, known for his frequent visits to the penalty box, has played an impressive 573 NHL games for the Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Detroit Red Wings. Watson was a first-round pick (18th overall) in the 2010 draft, selected by the Predators.
The Head Coach
The Griffins’ head coach is Canadian Dan Watson (Glencoe, Ontario, March 1979). Watson had a notable defensive career in minor leagues, including the OHL (Sarnia Sting) and the defunct UHL (Columbus Stars, Kalamazoo Wings). His entire coaching journey has been within the Red Wings organization. He started in 2009-10 as an assistant coach for the Toledo Walleye (ECHL), formerly the Toledo Storm, where he had retired as a player in 2006-07. After seven seasons as an assistant, he was promoted to head coach of the Walleye in 2016-17, a position he held for six campaigns. Following 13 years of development within the system, Watson took over the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL for the 2023-24 season, leading the team to the Calder Cup playoffs ever since.
A Look Back at History: Binghamton Rangers (1992-93)
The Binghamton Rangers, an affiliate of the New York Rangers, operated in the AHL from 1990 to 1997, after which their spot was taken by the Hartford Wolf Pack. The 1992-93 team, initially coached by Ron Smith (who was promoted to head coach of the New York Rangers on January 4, 1993), achieved a 28-5-5 record (80.26% point percentage) under his leadership before Colin Campbell took over. In the playoffs, the Rangers narrowly advanced past the Baltimore Skipjacks in a tough first-round series, but were defeated in Game 7 of the second round by the Rochester Americans, losing 2-3 at home on May 17, 1993, following a decisive goal by Greg Brown.
Goaltending
The Rangers’ net was guarded by Corey Hirsch, who had a stellar season, winning three prestigious awards: the Aldege Bastien Memorial Award (AHL’s best goaltender), the Dudley Garrett Memorial Award (best rookie), and the Harry Holmes Memorial Award (goaltender with the lowest goals-against average in at least 25 games).
Defensive Line
On defense, Swedish player Par Djoos stood out, having played 82 NHL games for the Red Wings and Canucks. Also notable was Russian Sergei Zubov, who won the Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994 and became a Dallas Stars legend, having his jersey retired and winning another Stanley Cup in 1999. Canadian Brad Tiley, recipient of the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL’s best defenseman in 1999-2000, also shone.
Offensive Line
The offense featured four standout players: Don Biggs, who won both the Les Cunningham Award (season MVP) and the John B. Sollenberger Trophy (leading scorer); Brian McReynolds; Craig Duncanson, a 1985 first-round pick (9th overall) by the Kings; and Mike Stevens.
A Look Back at History: Manchester Monarchs (2004-05)
The Manchester, New Hampshire franchise, the Monarchs, competed in the AHL from 2001 to 2015 before relocating to become the current Ontario Reign (affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings). In the 2004-05 season, the Monarchs were coached by Bruce Boudreau, who had a 150-game NHL career with the Maple Leafs and Blackhawks. Interestingly, Boudreau was replaced by Jim Hughes after that season.
Goaltending
Mathieu Garon defended the Monarchs’ net, later forging an extensive NHL career with 343 games played for the Canadiens, Kings, Oilers, Penguins (winning the Stanley Cup in 2009), Blue Jackets, and Lightning.
Defensive Line
On the Monarchs’ defense, Denis Grebeshkov was a key figure. Drafted 18th overall by the Kings in 2002, he had a solid NHL career, notably with the Oilers, and was an exceptional playmaker, tallying 44 assists in 75 games that season.
Offensive Line
The offensive line featured Mike Cammalleri, Dustin Brown, and Tom Kostopoulos. Cammalleri, an NHL legend with 938 games (Kings, Flames, Canadiens, Devils, Oilers), was drafted 49th overall by the Kings in 2001. In 2004-05, he won the Willie Marshall Award as the regular season’s leading goal-scorer with 46 goals in 79 games.
Dustin Brown is an iconic Los Angeles Kings legend, playing his entire 1,388-game, 18-season NHL career with the team, winning two Stanley Cups (2011-12, 2013-14). In 2013-14, he received the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award. His No. 23 jersey is retired at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and a statue in his honor stands outside the venue.
Tom Kostopoulos, while not having the same NHL impact as his Monarchs linemates, solidified his status as a North American hockey legend in the AHL. Born in Mississauga, Ontario, he left an indelible mark with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he played 11 seasons starting in 1999, with the exception of the 2004-05 campaign in Manchester. His astounding totals of 822 games in the AHL and 646 in the NHL are a testament to his longevity and dedication—numbers few ever achieve.
A Look Back at History: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (2005-06)
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ affiliate in Pennsylvania has recorded over 70% point percentages in three seasons: the 2005-06 campaign, and the 2010-11 (73.1%) and 2016-17 (70.4%) seasons.
Coaching Change
In 2005-06, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins experienced a head coaching change. Michel Therrien led an overwhelming start to the season with a 21-1-2 record (90%), which led to his promotion as head coach of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins (Sidney Crosby’s rookie season). After a brief 3-game interim by Rick Kehoe, Joe Mullen, formerly Olczyk’s assistant in Pittsburgh, took the helm. Mullen guided the team to the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs, where they were swept 4-0 by the formidable Hershey Bears, who went on to become champions.
Goaltending
Danny Sabourin was the Penguins’ goaltender, with a career predominantly in the AHL and limited time in the NHL. He finished his playing career in Europe, playing in Austria and France, retiring in 2016-17 after winning the French league with Rouen.
Defensive Line
The Penguins’ defense featured the strong pairing of Chris Kelleher and Noah Welch. Kelleher, unable to secure a stable spot in the NHL, retired at 32 to join the Minnesota Wild’s scouting staff. Welch, meanwhile, played 75 NHL games for the Penguins, Panthers, Lightning, and the defunct Atlanta Thrashers before moving to Sweden in 2011-12, where he played until his retirement in 2017-18, winning a championship with Växjö HC.
Offensive Line
The team’s offense featured two players who went on to significant NHL careers: center Maxime Talbot, a 2009 Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins and with 788 NHL games; and also center Erik Christensen, who played 404 games for the Penguins, Thrashers, Ducks, Rangers, and Wild. After his North American career, Christensen played in the KHL in Russia and finished his career in Sweden’s SHL, winning a championship with HV71 in his final active season.
This historical tribute concludes by emphasizing the immense difficulty of achieving such exceptional results in a league as competitive and balanced as the American Hockey League.
