The Grand Rapids Griffins’ media team posted their in-arena video paying tribute to their captain, defenseman Brian Lashoff, who played in his 500th AHL game on Friday night:
Lashoff is a tremendously professional captain for the Griffins, and GrandRapidsGriffins.com’s Mark Newman posted a tremendous profile of the 31-year-old on Friday:
Brian Lashoff probably could find a hundred reasons why he is happy to be playing in Grand Rapids for the Red Wings organization, but he is content to stop at 18.
Eighteen is the age that Lashoff happened to be when he started playing hockey for the Griffins 13 seasons ago, which is almost a lifetime ago when you’re talking about the career of a professional athlete.
Now 31, Lashoff is the captain of the Griffins, having played more than 500 games in the organization, which makes him the longest active-serving AHL player with one team. For a unique perspective, the most recent player with a longer stint is Bill Needham, the league’s all-time leader in games played for only one team with 981. His career with the Cleveland Barons ended in 1971.
Lashoff, who has worn a Red Wings jersey for 136 NHL games spread over seven different seasons, is humbled by his journey from an undrafted, free agent teenager to a venerable veteran, now considered the de facto leader of a franchise that has won two American Hockey League championships during his playing tenure.
“Being captain means a ton to me,” Lashoff said. “Considering how much this city and this team means to me, it’s a big deal to know that you’re the guy that management, the coaches and the players trust to be in that role. I’ve been fortunate to have learned a lot from the guys before me. I think they helped me feel that I was completely ready to step into this role.”
Continued; Newman also wrote features on Red Wings assistant GM Pat Verbeek, Griffins trainer John Champan, and there’s a feature story on Larry Figurski and Bob Kaser battling back from significant heart troubles, too.
