The Grand Rapids Griffins have reached the pinnacle of the American Hockey League, winning the coveted Calder Cup twice in the last dozen years – the 2012-2013 season and the 2016-2017 campaign – which makes them one of 14 teams in history to win two or more times. 

That’s pretty good company, considering the AHL is celebrating its 89th season of action this year.

A year ago, the Griffins lived in the shadow of the Milwaukee Admirals. The Admirals won the AHL Central Division title and then defeated the Griffins in the Central Division Finals of the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs.

The good news, however, is that things are trending upward for the Griffins, who only won 28 games during the 2022-2023 season and found themselves in a distant last place in the seven-team division. It was their second consecutive year in the Central Division cellar. 

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Even better, the Griffins are in a long-term partnership with the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, one of the winningest teams in the sport’s history. The teams signed an agreement in 2022 that extended their relationship another five years through at least the 2026-2027 season.

They’ve been working together since 2002 and have combined for three league championships, while the Griffins have sent more than 110 players, including nine who contributed to the Red Wings’ Stanley Cup run in 2008.

Detroit’s 11 Stanley Cup titles is No. 1 by almost double of any team based in the United States and third all-time behind the Montreal Canadiens (24) and Toronto Maple Leafs (13).

It’s like having a bigger, stronger older brother to keep an eye on you on the playground during recess. 

Running the show in Grand Rapids is second-year head coach Dan Watson, who assumed the role in June 2023 and went on to become the ninth head coach to lead the Griffins to the postseason during his first year in charge. 

Watson previously spent six seasons with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL, and he’s never missed the playoffs as a head coach. 

Among the stars in Grand Rapids is goaltender Sebastian Cossa, who’s listed as being 6-foot-7 and quickly is working his way toward being part of the Red Wings roster. 

Cossa played in 40 games last season, and in February 2024, he became the first Grand Rapids rookie goalie since 2015 to be named AHL Player of the Week. 

The Griffins will begin their 2024-2025 campaign at home at the Van Andel Arena on Oct. 11 against the Admirals. It could be a great chance for early redemption and momentum. 

The AHL regular season features a 72-game schedule.

How To Stream Grand Rapids Griffins Hockey Games During The 2024-2025 Season

Every AHL hockey game will stream live on FloHockey and the FloSports app. Game replays, highlights and breaking news also will be available on both platforms.

Grand Rapids Griffins Hockey Schedule 2024-2025

See the complete schedule on the Grand Rapids Griffins team page on FloHockey.

What Was The Grand Rapids Griffins' Record During The 2023-2024 Season?

The Grand Rapids Griffins finished the 2023-2024 regular season with a 37-23-8-4 record and were second behind the Milwaukee Admirals in the seven-team Central Division

Five of the seven teams in the division advanced to the Calder Cup Playoffs, led by the Central Division champion Admirals.  

The Griffins handled the Rockford IceHogs in the Central Division Semifinals (3-1) and fell to the Admirals in the Central Division Finals (3-2).

When Do The 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs Start?

The 2024-2025 AHL regular season will conclude during the final week of April. The Calder Cup Playoffs typically begin later the same week.

As is tradition, 23 of the AHL’s 32 teams qualify for the playoffs, landing in the playoff bracket in a variety of configurations that are based on the size of each division.

The robust postseason will come after the conclusion of 1,152 regular-season games.

Who Won The Calder Cup During The 2023-2024 AHL Season?

Last season, the Hershey Bears won a record-extending 13th Calder Cup, also their second title in a row. Amazingly, their record includes another 12 runner-up finishes. 

Who Topped Their Divisions During The 2023-2024 AHL Season?

The Hershey Bears won the Atlantic Division with a near-record 53-14-0-5 performance during the regular season.

The Cleveland Monsters won the North Division (40-24-5-3), the Milwaukee Admirals took the Central Division (47-22-2-1) and the Coachella Valley Firebirds were the victors in the 10-team Pacific Division (46-15-6-5).

When Is The AHL All-Star Classic?

The 2025 AHL All-Star Classic is being hosted by the Coachella Valley Firebirds in Palm Desert, California on Feb. 2-3. 

The all-star game is on Feb. 3 and will follow the AHL Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony. 

How To Watch The AHL On FloHockey 

The AHL is streaming on FloHockey and the FloSports app. Live games, replays, highlights and breaking news also will be available on both platforms. 

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