DetroitRedWings.com’s Arthur J. Regner speaks to Grand Rapids Griffins forward Eric Tangradi in his latest “Red and White Authority” podcast, discussing hockey with the Griffins’ 25-goal-scoring power forward…
And Regner duly notes that the Red Wings have kept Tangradi in the organization for the past three years for more than his hockey chops:
“Unfortunately, the NHL life is totally different than juniors, totally different than the AHL,” Tangradi said. “When guys leave the rink, they leave, you don’t see a lot of people outside the rink.
“I didn’t have that support system, I didn’t have somebody I could lean (on) and it was really hard going back to the hotel room at 21 years old. At times I just turned the lights off and watched a movie because you’re so upset with the way things are going.”
As he became older and bounced around from organization to organization, Tangradi never forgot how he felt as a youngster playing for the Penguins’ AHL team in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
“At 29 now and being part of this (Detroit) organization for three years, I’ve seen guys in this locker room, the Manthas, the Athanasious, the Bertuzzis, those are guys that I’ve seen at times have such high expectations and struggle here,” Tangradi said. “I take pride I was the first guy to go over to them and make sure they got their confidence back that they were playing the right way.
“Hopefully, I left a lasting impression on them that helped them move on to the next level. Those are all guys I played with down here when they (the Red Wings organization) were trying to get them out of funks.
“I put them (under) my wing and gave the guidance I wish I had when I was young.”
Regner continues, and it is essential for the Wings to have a leadership group in both Detroit and Grand Rapids to show “the kids” how to approach life as a professional hockey player.
Nice perspective.
You always assume for a young guy playing in the big leagues,
it’s mostly highs.
Tangradi is a UFA, so maybe he’s a veteran forward they bring back. After injuries and a slower start, he’s justifying it, too.
Lorito, Street, and Turner are also UFAs.
The bigger question might be on defense. Renouf is restricted, but Lashoff, McIlrath, and Russo all have another year left. Are Russo and Renouf prospects anymore? It seems like maybe you’d want to have two veterans back there, but four seems like too many, with Cholowski, Hronek, Saarijarvi, and maybe Sulak?
Perhaps if Ouellet is moved for whatever Detroit can get, Hicketts will have a spot to earn in Detroit?
Ryan Martin is the Griffins’ GM, and he’s going to have to make some hard decisions. I’m assuming that the Wings will get rid of a mid-level prospect or two to give the kids some playing time. Detroit has a log-jam on defense and some of the prospects are going to play in Toledo to start.
I hope Hicketts gets a chance either way. He’s earning his stripes.
Mr. Oullet should have ended his audition when Mr.Witkowski arrived. Then we would be watching Hickets desire become contagious and maybe win a couple we should’nt.