Author: George Malik

Each and every one of the Red Wings’ beat writers filed notebook articles discussing Tyler Bertuzzi’s return to the Red Wings’ lineup this evening vs. Pittsburgh (7:30 PM EDT start on Bally Sports Detroit/NHL Network/97.1 FM):

1. The Free Press’s Helene St. James leads off our Bertuzzi round-up with the following:

Tyler Bertuzzi is one of the Detroit Red Wings’ most important players, and getting him back before the start of the season is important.

Bertuzzi was on the roster for Thursday night’s exhibition lineup, his first appearance since leaving Jan. 30 with a sore back. Bertuzzi tried for months to return to the lineup, but the pain never receded and he wound up undergoing back surgery in April. He was cleared to play in training camp, but didn’t make it onto the roster until the penultimate exhibition game.

“There’s going to be some frustration and a whole bunch of emotions going through my head, but I’m happy to be out there and take it game by game and eventually I’ll be back to where I was,” Bertuzzi said after Thursday’s morning skate.

Bertuzzi thrives on playing an abrasive style; he’s at his best buzzing around the opponent’s net and grinding foes into the boards. He already had five goals among seven points when he was lost for the season; that was just in seven games.

“Bert wins stick battles, Bert has the puck in the O-zone, has the puck around the net, is real smart defensively,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “He just has to do what he does to get himself back into it.”

2. The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan continues the narrative…

One more press release from the Griffins this evening: the Griffins have announced their “Fan experience policies and protocols for the 2021-2022 season”:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In advance of the Grand Rapids Griffins’ season opener at Van Andel Arena next Friday, Oct. 15, the team on Thursday announced the policies and protocols that fans will experience during the 2021-22 campaign, with an emphasis on cleanliness and contact-free encounters.

Vaccinations / Masks
A proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID test is not required for admission to Griffins games. Masks are also not a requirement.

No-Bag Policy
Van Andel Arena has adopted a no-bag policy, reducing contact between guests and security staff by eliminating the need to search these items. This is part of ongoing efforts to promote a contact-free experience. Note that medical bags and small clutches no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″ will be permitted, as will bags used for carrying skates into the arena during games featuring a post-game skate. Bags in the medical/essential category will be screened in a secondary screening area.

Mobile Ticketing
New for the 2021-22 season, the Griffins will deliver all tickets in a contactless, mobile format for display on smartphones and other electronic devices. Click here to read more on how to manage and use your mobile tickets.

Cashless Purchases
Cashless transactions are required for all box office, merchandise, and concession purchases. A mobile ordering system is available at the Ionia Street Grill (located on the east side of the concourse outside of Section 108/109) and the Ottawa Street Grill (located on the west side of the concourse outside of Section 121/122), allowing fans to order and pay for concessions with their mobile devices. When the order is ready for pick-up, the program will notify the customer and confirm the pick-up location. For more information on the new concession mobile ordering system, click here.

Arena Cleaning Procedures
Van Andel Arena has implemented increased air filtration including bipolar ionization equipment and has placed hand sanitizing stations throughout the venue. Rest assured that when you enter the venue you will experience the highest level of cleanliness and the best in customer service. VenueShield, a comprehensive and best-in-class environmental hygiene program, has been implemented at Van Andel Arena. For more information regarding VenueShield, click here.

Fans who have any questions or concerns are encouraged to email the Griffins at customerservice@griffinshockey.com.

Per the Grand Rapids Griffins:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Ten Grand Rapids Griffins regular season games at Van Andel Arena during the 2021-22 campaign will be televised live to fans across West Michigan on WXSP-TV, thanks to a broadcast agreement finalized earlier this week.

For the second consecutive year, WXSP will serve as the exclusive live in-market television partner for the Griffins. A sister station to WOOD TV8 and WOTV, WXSP can be found on all local cable systems as well as a series of low-power channels across the region, including in Grand Rapids (WOLP channel 27), Holland (WOHO ch. 33), Muskegon (WOMS ch. 29), Kalamazoo (WOKZ ch. 50) and Battle Creek (WOBC ch. 14).

“Delivering Griffins hockey games on broadcast television was a way to support our partners and the fans during the pandemic. The response was so positive that there was no question of broadcasting games again this year and continuing our partnership in serving hockey fans throughout the West Michigan region” said Julie Brinks, vice president and general manager of Nexstar Media, Inc. (WOOD-TV, WOTV, WXSP).

The Voice of the Griffins, Bob Kaser, returns to the booth this season after recovering from heart surgery in February. WOOD TV8 sports anchor Larry Figurski – a veteran of 21 seasons as a Griffins color analyst – and Lou Rabaut will share color commentating duties on the Griffins telecasts, which will be simulcast on WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM.

The slate of games on WXSP kicks off next Friday, Oct. 15 with Opening Night presented by Huntington Bank, when the Rockford IceHogs visit Van Andel Arena at 7 p.m. The full list of televised games on WXSP can be found below. Click here to see the Griffins’ complete 2021-22 schedule.

“We are so appreciative of WXSP’s on-going commitment to Griffins Hockey,” said Kaser, the team’s vice president of community relations and broadcasting. “Stepping up and televising all of our home games last season is all you need to know about their keen recognition of what this team means to West Michigan communities. We are so excited about the prospects of a full season ahead and proud to have WXSP return as our television partner.”

For Griffins fans outside of the WXSP viewing area or who prefer to watch games on their mobile device or computer, AHLTV remains the exclusive streaming provider for all 76 games, both home and away, with a full-season subscription priced at $64.99.

Griffins Hockey on WXSP-TV
Friday, Oct. 15 vs. Rockford
Friday, Nov. 26 vs. Chicago
Saturday, Jan. 22 vs. Milwaukee
Saturday, Feb. 5 vs. Ontario
Saturday, Feb. 19 vs. Rockford
Saturday, Feb. 26 vs. Bakersfield
Saturday, March 5 vs. Iowa
Friday, March 18 vs. Texas
Saturday, April 2 vs. Texas
Friday, April 22 vs. Chicago

*All games will begin at 7 p.m. EST

Per the Red Wings’ PR department:

RED WINGS REDUCE ROSTER BY 12  … Detroit’s Preseason Roster Now at 39 Players …

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today assigned defensemen Jared McIsaac, Wyatt Newpower and Donovan Sebrango and goaltender Victor Brattstrom to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins and goaltender Kaden Fulcher to the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye. Additionally, the Red Wings released forwards Turner Elson, Jon Martin, Dominik Shine, Tyler Spezia, Kirill Tyutyayev, Hayden Verbeek and Dennis Yan from their professional tryouts.

The Red Wings currently have 39 players on their training camp roster: 22 forwards, 14 defensemen and three goaltenders. Detroit is 3-3-0 in preseason play, with two exhibition contests remaining: tonight at 7:30 p.m. against the Pittsburgh Penguins (Bally Sports Detroit) at Little Caesars Arena and on the road Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres at 3:00 p.m.

Per the Grand Rapids Griffins:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Thursday assigned defensemen Jared McIsaac, Wyatt Newpower and Donovan Sebrango, and goaltender Victor Brattstrom to the Grand Rapids Griffins and released forwards Turner Elson, Jon Martin, Dominik Shine, Tyler Spezia, Kirill Tyutyayev, Hayden Verbeek and Dennis Yan, returning them to their American Hockey League affiliate.

The Griffins will hold their first practice in Grand Rapids on Monday at 10:30 a.m. at Griff’s IceHouse at Belknap Park, in preparation for Opening Night presented by Huntington Bank against Rockford next Friday, Oct. 15 at Van Andel Arena. Practices are closed to the public but open to registered media.

Per “Hockey 365’s” Mike Commito:

On this day in 1986, Steve Yzerman was named captain of the @DetroitRedWings. At just the age of 21, he became the youngest captain in club history #Hockey365 #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Tavs1nqnsy— Mike Commito (@mikecommito) October 7, 2021

Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill spoke with the media ahead of tonight’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins (7:30 PM on Bally Sports Detroit/NHL Network/97.1 FM), in which Tyler Bertuzzi will make his preseason debut:

Bertuzzi spoke with the media as well:

Red Wings’ Tyler Bertuzzi on playing first game (exhibition) since January: “I’m nervous, definitely. I’m excited to get bak into it. There’s going to be some frustration.” https://t.co/oKidWJNuxR— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) October 7, 2021

Red Wings prospect and Lethbridge Hurricanes defenseman Alex Cotton returned to his WHL team after a lengthy stint with the Red Wings’ training camp and exhibition roster, and Cotton posted an assist (and took 4 shots) in last night’s 2-1 loss to Sebastian Cossa’s Edmonton Oil Kings.

After the game, Cotton and his coach, Brent Kisio, spoke with the Lethbridge Herald’s Dale Woodward:

“[The Oil Kings are] supposed to be the best team in our league and we were right there with them the whole game,” said Cotton, whose team will face the Oil Kings for Game 2 Oct. 15 in Edmonton. “I think we outplayed them five-on-five, to be honest. I think every time we go up against them it’s going to be a battle like that, just close games and no blowouts. It’ll be fun for the rest of the year.”

After a busy month that included the Red Wings rookie camp followed by their main camp and some preseason action, Cotton returned to the Canes for his season debut.

“I’ve had lots of skating in the last month and I feel pretty good,” he said. “My legs are a little tired, to be honest, but I felt good and felt I moved the puck well.”

The veteran blue-liner soaked up his time in Detroit.

“Just getting down there, they’re such a first-class organization,” said Cotton. “All the guys there are great people and the experience was surreal, any guy could dream of that. Just getting those preseason games really helped me and showed me where I need to get to. I’m going to work here and do the best I can to do that.”

Continued

FYI, from the Detroit Red Wings…

What’s better than having home opener tickets???

Having Red Wings AND @tigers home opener tickets!
???

?️: https://t.co/6kHbvnJHpD pic.twitter.com/2BdvMhj7dj— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 7, 2021

The Grand Rapids Griffins would also like to remind you that their home opener takes place on October 16th:

Hockey is back in 8 days!

Are you ready???

Get your tickets >> https://t.co/YjJxKkLgjI#GoGRG pic.twitter.com/ShEnvR8ZVf— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) October 7, 2021

The Detroit Red Wings host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Little Caesars Arena athis evening (7:30 PM EDT start on Bally Sports Detroit/NHL Network/97.1 FM).

MLive’s Ansar Khan reports that Tyler Bertuzzi may make his 2021-2022 preaseason debut against the Penguins’ B Team:

#RedWings lineup for tonight’s preseason game vs. Penguins at LCA (7:30, Bally Sports Detroit). Bertuzzi slated to make preseason debut. pic.twitter.com/tzOOLQX0ra

— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) October 7, 2021

The Free Press’s Helene St. James confirms…

Tyler Bertuzzi on tonight’s Red Wings roster, hasn’t played since January 30, underwent back surgery in April. pic.twitter.com/n7Kdja8h7M— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) October 7, 2021

As does the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan:

Bertuzzi on the #RedWings roster for tonight vs. Pittsburgh. Would be his first game since January because of back surgery….Also, home fans get a chance to see Jonatan Berggren— Ted Kulfan (@tkulfan) October 7, 2021

Update: