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Prospects Watch McGrath's production dries up in rookie pro campaign ... Evan McGrath piled up five points in his first game last season. This season in the American Hockey League, that’s his total output through 22 games. The Grand Rapids Griffins rookie center has two goals and three assists in his first season out of the Ontario Hockey League. McGrath graduated from the Kitchener Rangers with 201 points in his final 135 games. “He has obvious NHL upside and it’s going to take him a while to understand the nuances of the pro game, the different speed he has to play at,” said Griffins general manager Bob McNamara. “He gets caught watching sometimes rather than moving continually, and that’s typical for a kid out of junior.” All of McGrath’s assists came in one game, while his goals came in separate contests. The 20-year-old isn’t a top-line forward in Grand Rapids, but he sees regular ice time and occasionally gets on the power play. The 6-foot, 192-pounder is known for his nifty puck skills, top-end vision and playmaking ability. He has a reputation — deserved or not — of being a lazy player, but the Griffins have been pleased with his competitiveness. “He works hard, he’s a great kid, and he wants to contribute,” said McNamara. “He’s got a lot of passion for the game, which is a good thing.” McGrath, who finished fifth in Ontario Hockey League scoring last season, was drafted in the fourth round (128th overall) in 2004. He signed a three-year contract with the Red Wings this past summer. HOT: Forward Matt Ellis (Grand Rapids, AHL) bagged three goals in two games this week. The Griffins captain has 18 points in 26 games... Defenseman Bretton Stamler (Seattle, Western Hockey League) has two goals and three assists in his last four games, and now has 17 points in 30 games ... Forward Mikael Johansson (Farjestad, Swedish Elite League) has three goals and two assists in his past 16 games. He had just six points all of last season. COLD: Stefan Blom (Arlanda, Sweden’s third level) is apparently not having much luck at his new position. After switching to center from the blue line this season, he has just six points in 19 games ... Defenseman Miroslav Blatak (Mora, Swedish Elite League) has just one assist in eight games. NOTES: Defenseman Derek Meech got called up to Detroit from the AHL this week, replacing the injured Daniil Markov. He went without a point and had a plus-1 rating in two games, averaging 7:25 of ice time ... Forward Johan Ryno transferred to Timra of the Swedish Elite League this week. He went without a point in two games ... Goaltender Stefan Liv was recalled to Grand Rapids after a three-game stint with the Toledo Storm of the East Coast Hockey League ... Defenseman Kyle Quincey (Grand Rapids, AHL) returned from a concussion ... Defenseman Logan Pyett is having a solid season with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League, with 31 points in 33 games. "His strength is offense," his coach, Curtis Hunt, told FoxSports.com. "He is strong on the puck. He's got a great shot and a good one-timer." WORLD JUNIOR UPDATE: Forwards Justin Abdelkader (United States) and Mattias Ritola (Sweden) will compete at the world junior championship in Sweden in late December. Abdelkader “brings a lot to the table,” said U.S. head coach Ron Rolston in a release. “Justin is an excellent two-way centre (who) plays physically and competes hard every night. He brings strong character to the group, and that’s what we are trying to build.” ... Forward Darren Helm (Canada) and defenseman Jakub Kindl (Czech Republic) are at training camps as part of the tryout process for the world junior ... Winger Jan Mursak (Saginaw, OHL) begins play for Slovenia on Monday at the second-tier world junior championship in Odense, Denmark. The following is this season’s statistical report to date:
The following is this season's statistical report for goaltenders to date:
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