It has been quite the journey for Wallaceburg’s Seth Griffith in 2016.
Starting off by playing in the ‘Winter Classic with the Boston Bruins on January 1, to playing ‘pool noodle’ hockey in his hometown this summer, Griffith is now getting acquainted and comfortable with his new club, the Florida Panthers.
“Coming into the year Boston was my main goal, but they had other options that they wanted to use,” Griffith told the Sydenham Current Thursday night in the visitor’s dressing room at Joe Louis Arena, just after the club’s 2-1 OT win over the Detroit Red Wings.
“I got a chance in Toronto, but they were kind of set on their lineup from guys at camp. Florida is giving me a really good opportunity here to show my skill. I’m getting playing time, which is always good for a younger guy in the league, you’ve got to establish yourself. Obviously, you can’t complain about the weather down in Florida, it’s fun. It’s a really big privilege being part of the Panthers organization.”
Seeing his family
With the hectic schedule of a NHL player, especially one playing in the Sunshine State, Griffith hasn’t seen his family very much this season.
Griffith said he was excited to spend a bit of time with them on Thursday.
“It’s nice. They get to come to a game. A lot of team’s are not close to Wallaceburg, just Toronto and Detroit, and Toronto is still a hike with traffic. It’s nice that they got to come tonight.”
He added: “It will be nice to chat with them for a bit after, but it goes by quick I only have about 10 minutes with them.”
Griffith said his parents, girlfriend, aunt and uncle and other friends and family were at the arena to see him play on Thursday.
Making an extra effort
Listed at 5’9 and 191 pounds, Griffith is not one of the bigger guys playing in the NHL.
With that being the case, Griffith said he needs to put in an extra effort.
“For a smaller guy you’ve got to establish yourself, you’ve got to play hard every night,” he said.
“I try to hit as much as I can, knock those big ‘D’ off the puck, that’s one of the ways and also have a good stick, stick on puck.”
In 7:49 minutes of ice time against the Wings, Griffith recorded 3 hits.
During his time of the ice, Griffith failed to register a point or get a shot on net. In fact, in 10 games played this season he has only recorded one assist.
This is something Griffith is confident will change soon.
“We have a good combination on our line too with some speed and some skills, it’s just a matter of time before we start getting some bounces,” Griffith said about his line, which also features Nick Bjugstad and Denis Malgin.
“Our line had our chances again (on Thursday), we just have to find a way to bear down and maybe get a couple of bounces our way.”
“It’s a character win for us. First win for our coach (Tom Rowe) behind the bench here, so we’re happy for him. We’re just happy to get the two points.”
The Panthers are now 12-10-2 on the season, 11th in the Eastern Conference.
Final game at ‘The Joe’
Being from Wallaceburg, Griffith visited Joe Louis Arena multiple times growing up.
“This is the last time that we come here,” Griffith said.
“It’s pretty cool to be a part of it. When I was coming to games when I was younger it was always closer coming to games in Detroit, so the majority of games I came to was here in Detroit. It was cool playing here just because of that reason.
Griffith added: “With the last year being here I think it adds that extra little bit. I’m very privileged to play here too, there is a lot of history here.”
This will be the final season at Joe Louis Arena for the Red Wings, who will be moving into a brand new arena next season in downtown Detroit.
Next up
Griffith and the Panthers were boarding a flight to Ottawa last night after the game.
They will battle the Senators on Saturday night.
Puck drops at 7 p.m.
* Check out our Twitter page (@SydenhamCurrent) for videos of our interview with Seth following Thursday night’s game
– Photo credit: Aaron Hall
