[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Detroit Red Wings, and by extension the Grand Rapids Griffins, have been busy the last week signing free agents and extending the contracts of current players for the 2014-15 season.
The Red Wings are currently in Traverse City for their 2014 development camp, which began July 4 and runs through July 8. The organization at-large is busy this off-season in preparation of the new year.
Griffins sign Berschbach
Shane Berschbach was signed by the Grand Rapids Griffins Tuesday. He spent four season with the Western Michigan Broncos and helped lead his team to their first CCHA title since 1986. Photo/Grand Rapids Griffins
Tuesday, the Grand Rapids Griffins announced the signing of former Western Michigan University forward Shane Berschbach to a one-year contract.
The 23-year old spent four seasons with the Broncos from 2010-14, where he collected 117 points (39-78—117) in 146 collegiate career goals. During his final season at the college, he tallied 38 points (16-22—38) in 40 contests to earn him the NCHC Offensive Player of the Week three times. He also appeared last season with the ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings, earning one goal and assist.
In 2011, Berschbach, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound forward from Clawson, Mich., helped lead Western Michigan to their first CCHA Tournament Championship since 1986. He finished second on the team in scoring with 32 points (10-22—32) in 37 games.
Before college, Berschbach played for the USHL’s Inidiana Ice from 2008-10 under current Griffins head coach, Jeff Blashill. Berschbach tallied 79 points (32-47—79) in 98 regular season games and 17 points (8-9—17) in 19 playoff appearances and helped the Ice capture the Clark Cup. In 2009, Berschbach made the US World Junior A Challenge team and was named to the All-World line after his team won the tournament.
Red Wings sign Sheahan to new two-year contact
Also on Tuesday, the Detroit Red Wings announced that they have signed center Riley Sheahan to a new two-year contact. In accordance with club policy, additional details have not been disclosed at this time.
The 22-year old skated in 42 games with the Red Wings during his second professional season, registering 24 points (9-15-24), which tied him for 24th among NHL rookies in scoring. He also appeared in 31 games for the AHL-affiliate Griffins during the 2013-14 campaign. He tallied 18 points (8-10-18) and added five more points in eight postseason games (1-4-5).
The forward notched 36 points (16-20-36) and 33 penalty minutes in 72 games with the Griffins in 2012-13 to assist them in capturing their first Calder Cup championship. In the postseason, he tied for the AHL rookie scoring lead with 16 points (3-13-16) in 24 appearances.
Sheahan was originally drafted by Detroit with their first-round pick (21st overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He appeared in 114 games with the CCHA’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2009-12 prior to his professional career. Sheahan recorded 64 points (20-44-64) and 74 penalty minutes. He was nominated for the CCHA Top Defensive Forward Award as a junior in 2011-12 before signing his entry-level contract with the Red Wings and making his NHL debut against Chicago on April 7, 2012.
Detroit signs Mrazek to one-year extension
ST. LOUIS, MO – APRIL 13: Petr Mrazek #34 of the Detroit Red Wings defends against the St. Louis Blues during an NHL game on April 13, 2014 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Photo by Mark Buckner/NHLI via Getty Images
The Red Wings announced Tuesday that goaltender Petr Mrazek has been signed to a one-year contract extension for the 2015-16 season.
Mrazek, 22, ranked second among all AHL goaltenders with 2.1o goals against during the 2013-14 campaign, owning a 22-9-1 record through 32 games. He also earned three shutouts, a 4-1 shootout record and a 0.924 save percentage, garnering him a spot on the AHL’s Second All-Star Team.
From February 22 to March 22, Mrazek posted an eight-game winning stream and a 10-game winning streak from October 30 through February 1. After appearing in all 24 postseaon games and backstopping the Griffins to their first-ever Calder Cup championship, Mrazek saw action in all 1o of Grand Rapids’ 2014 playoff games. He earned a 5-5 record alongside a 2.80 GAA and a 0.911 save percentage.
A native of the Czech Republic, Mrazek appeared in nine games with the Wings last season and produced a 2-4-0 record, 1.74 GAA, 0.927 save percentage and two shutouts. Mrzaek was Detroit’s fifth choice (141st overall) in the 2010 Entry Draft.
Kevin Porter signed to one-year contract
BUFFALO, NY – OCTOBER 17: Kevin Porter #12 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the Vancouver Canucks on October 17, 2013 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images
Detroit signed forward Kevin Porter to a one-year contract on Tuesday. The Northville, Mich. native split the last two seasons between the Buffalo Sabres and the AHL’s Rochester Americans.
In 98 regular season games with Rochester, Porter picked up 80 points (34-46-80) and 62 penalty minutes, while collecting 1o points (4-6-10) and 12 PIM in 43 games for Buffalo. Porter, an eight-year prof, has played with numerous NHL clubs, including the Phoenix Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche and the Sabres, totaling 55 points (29-26-55) and 60 PIM in 206 career NHL games.
Porter was Phoenix’s fourth choice (119th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He has skated in 196 career AHL games between the San Antonio Rampage, Lake Erie Monsters and the Americans, earning 156 points (63-93-156) and 109 PIM. He was named and AHL All-Star when he served as Rochester’s captain in 2012-13.
Before turning to the professional level, Porter spent four seasons at the University of Michigan from 2004-08, earning 183 points (85-98—183) and 115 penalty minutes in 162 games. He helped the Wolverines to two CCHA championships in 2005 and 2008. In his final season with the Wolverines, he earned the CCHA Player of the Year award and the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey.
Miele signs one-year contract with Detroit
TAMPA, FL – MARCH 10: Andy Miele #21 of the Phoenix Coyotes skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on March 10, 2014 in Tampa, Florida. Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images
Something that finally happened on a day that isn’t Tuesday: The Detroit Red Wings announced Wednesday that they have signed forward Andy Miele to a one-year contract.
The Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. native Miele ranked first in scoring on the Portland Pirates and tied for third overall in the AHL with 72 points (27-45—72) in 70 games during the 2013-14 season. In April, Miele was namedto the AHL Second All-Star Team, along with Griffins goaltender Petr Mrazek and defenseman Adam Almquist. Miele also played in seven games for the Phoenix Coyotes last season, tallying two assists and five penalty minutes.
Between 2011 and 2014, Miele accumulated 179 points (62-117—179) in 209 games with the Pirates and two points (0-2—2) in 15 games with the Coyotes.
Before turning pro, the 26-year old Miele enjoyed a standout career at Miami University from 2007-11. During his freshman year, Miele served under former RedHawks assistanct coach and Griffins head coache Jeff Blashill. Miele notched 160 points (60-100-160) and 134 PIM in 141 games during his collegiate career. To cap it off, he led the nation in scoring with 71 points (24-41—71) as a senior and earning the 2011 Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey.
