2025 Grand Rapids Griffins Offseason Player Tracker

Written By Elaine Shircliff

A Quick Review of the 2024-25 Season

At the start of the 2024-25 season, the sky was the limit for the Grand Rapids Griffins. With a bevy of talented rookies and solid veterans on the roster, Grand Rapids was poised to be one of the best teams in the West. 

And they were!

In fact, heading into January, the Griffins were one of the hottest teams in the American Hockey League. Finishing December first in the Central meant Head Coach Dan Watson had the pleasure of coaching the division at the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic. Goaltender Sebastian Cossa and veteran forward Austin Watson joined him in Coachella Valley for the event. Coach Watson was the first Griffins Head Coach to earn the honor since Todd Nelson in 2017.

Unfortunately, after the first of the year, the struggle to succeed began to set in for the Griffins. Call-ups left the team without many of their heart and soul players. On top of that, injuries caused the Griffins to struggle with consistency. As time wound down on the season, it felt as though Grand Rapids was going to be on the outside looking in. Yet, somehow they persisted and were able to get into the playoffs squeaking past the play-in round. 

A lengthy break didn’t pay the Griffins any favors as they were swept by the Texas Stars in the division semi-finals.

Standouts During the 2024-25 Season

Rookie Nate Danielson started slow and then exploded, landing in the top six on the Griffins with 39 points. Danielson led the team with four short-handed points. All of which were assists. 

The struggling power play was the talk of the town for much of the 2024-25 season. However, forwards Austin Watson, Dominik Shine, and Amadeus Lombardi shone brightly, ending the regular season tied for second on the Griffins with 13 power play points. Watson led Grand Rapids with three short-handed goals during the 2024-25 season.

Joe Snively was the true star of the forward pool in Grand Rapids. With the focus on many of the rookies and older vets, Snively flew under the radar for most of the season quietly racking up points. At the end of the season, Snively led the Griffins with 47 points and 17 power play points. 

On the defensive side, rookie Shai Buium had himself a year. By the end of the 2024-25 season, Buium was fifth on the team and led all defenders with 11 power play points. Antti Tuomisto played a quiet yet solid style of defense for Grand Rapids. By the end of the regular season, he led all defenders with 27 points. While he may be a bit slower, Tuomisto found ways to use that to his advantage by gumming up the neutral zone in a way that forced opponents to slow down while trying to get into Grand Rapids' defensive zone. 

Sebastian Coss backstopped the Griffins for most of the 2024-25 season. He kicked off the season by becoming the first Grand Rapids’ goalie to have an opening night shutout in 26 years. By the time January rolled around, his stellar goaltending landed him a spot in the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic. When Jack Campbell was between the pipes, he was reliable and often had to stand on his head to keep the Griffins in the game. 

Below is a tracker of player signing and how the roster might look on opening night. It’s important to note that holding a contract with the Griffins or the Detroit Red Wings does not guarantee a roster spot in Grand Rapids. They could end up in Detroit, with the Toledo walleye,  or traded to another team. 

UNDER CONTRACT AND RE-SIGNINGS FOR THE 2025-26 SEASON

Forwards

Defensemen

Goaltenders

NEW ADDITIONS FOR THE 2025-26 SEASON

Forwards

Defensemen

  • Nicklas Andrews - Signed a one-year, two-way AHL contract on 04.09.2025. Played with Michigan State (NCAA) during 2024-25.

  • Alex Kannok Leipert - Signed a one-year AHL Contract on 07.10.2025. Played with Bakersfield Condors (AHL) during 2024-25.

  • Ian Mitchell - Signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract with Detroit on 07.01.2025. Played with Providence Bruins (AHL)/Boston Bruins (NHL) during 2024-25 season.

  • Jacob Truscott - Signed a two-year AHL contract on 04.13.2025. Played for University of Michigan during 2024-25 season.

Goaltenders

DEPARTURES

Any players that have made it official that they won’t be playing with this team next season.

Forwards

Defensemen

  • Anton  Johansson - Detroit loaned Anton Johansson to Leksands IF (SHL) at the end of June 2025.

  • Nikolai  Knyzhov - Signed a one-year AHL contract with Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) on 07.25.2025

  • Eemil Viro - Signed a two-year contract with Malmo Redhawks (SHL) on 06.05.2025. Viro was given a qualifying offer on 07.01.2025. If he accepts, the Red Wings will retain the rights to his contract while playing with Malmo.

Goaltenders

FREE AGENTS

Resources on helping understand Unrestricted Free Agents, Restricted Free Agents, and Arbitration.

 

Forwards

  • Cross Hanas - was not given a qualifying offer by Detroit on 07.01.2025

  • Hunter Johannes - UFA

Defensemen

  • Josiah Dider - UFA

  • Brogan Rafferty - UFA

Goaltenders

  • Jack Campbell - UFA


Elaine Shircliff
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