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Prospects Watch Oulahen needs to 'develop a little grit' on the farm ... Ryan Oulahen is never going to be a big-time point producer, but he also has some work to do to become a National Hockey League checker. The Grand Rapids Griffins center is an ultra-responsible defensive player who has three goals, an assist and a minus-6 rating in 29 games this season. It’s the 21-year-old’s second year in the American Hockey League. “If he wants to get to the next level, he’s going to probably need to develop a little grit to his game,” said Griffins general manager Bob McNamara. “His skating is fine, his knowledge is fine, his ability to defend is great — we use him on the penalty kill all the time — but he needs to develop an edge.” Oulahen has long been applauded for his defensive smarts. Drafted 164th overall in 2003, the former Brampton Battalion captain capped his Ontario Hockey League career in 2004-05 with 58 points in 64 games. He also earned votes in five categories (most underrated, hardest working, best penalty killer, best defensive forward and best on faceoffs) in an OHL coaches poll. The 6-foot, 185-pounder is a depth forward for the Griffins. He played a similar role as a rookie, when he recorded 19 points in 75 games. NOTES: Forward Jan Mursak (Saginaw, OHL) had a team-best three goals and two assists in five games for Slovenia at the second-tier world junior championship in Odense, Denmark, this week. Slovenia went 1-4 ... Forward Darren Helm (Medicine Hat, Western Hockey League) was named to the Canadian team for the world junior championship in Sweden. HOT: Defenseman Derek Meech (Grand Rapids, AHL) had a goal and two assists in three games after being reassigned by Detroit. He appeared in four games with the Red Wings, averaging 5:47 of ice time ... Forward Nick Oslund (Tri-City, United States Hockey League) has two goals and four assists in nine games after starting the season with just one assist in eight games. COLD: Goaltender Jimmy Howard (Grand Rapids, AHL) allowed 13 goals on 38 shots in back-to-back losses to the Milwaukee Admirals this weekend ... Defenseman Kyle Quincey (Grand Rapids, AHL) has just four assists in his last 15 games, although he missed a few weeks in the middle with a concussion. 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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