GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.,-- If you ask Detroit Red Wings prospect Dylan James what he thinks about the penalty kill, he'll put it simply: it's what gets him up in the morning.
James, the 2022 40th overall pick by the Red Wings, runs the top penalty killing unit for the Grand Rapids Griffins -- and the top in the American Hockey League (AHL). The Griffins sport a 92.1% penalty kill success rate -- a full 2.1 points above the next team in the league, the Utica Comets.
While the whole unit has their own role to play, no one relishes it quite like James.
"I just love the kill," James reiterated in a post game interview. "I love those kinds of plays."
What's driving Dylan James' success
James, 22, has 12 points in 14 games with the Griffins. He's tied for third in team scoring with Jesse Kiiskinen and sits just behind Carter Bear (14 points in 12 games) and captain Dominik Shine (17 points in 14 games). While Bear and Shine play on the top line together and Kiiskinen holds down the second line, James continues to produce at a high level despite playing third line minutes.
Rather than take credit for the success, he instead shares the love with his team.
"Coaching is a big reason," James remarked. "Kienan Draper and I have chemistry on the kill and, you know, a lot of guys on this team can kill. So if someone gets a penalty, there's plenty of guys to fill in for them."
Griffins employ next man up mentality
In the AHL, things can be chaotic. One day, your top line is thriving, and the next, half of them are on their way to the NHL. Learning to roll with the punches is important in any league, but it's especially so within a league like the "A".
Both Sheldon Dries and John Leonard - fixtures with the Griffins - have been called up to the Red Wings to fill in while Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton sit out with injuries. In their absence, Dylan James and other young forwards have stepped up, seizing opportunity when it presents itself.
"I just try to go into the week with a smile," James replies with a grin. "Obviously, there's plenty of opportunity with guys headed up to Detroit. I'm just trying to take advantage of it. It's so fun. Obviously, winning's fun, but I'm just glad we're all together and get to play. I don't want to say wins are coming easy, but they're definitely coming easier."
Whether by injury or call-up, the Griffins are ready to respond in the event someone goes down. Griffins head coach Dan Watson's mentality translates into the NHL, as well. Young players like Albert Johansson and William Wallinder, both who played with Watson at different points in time, know how to step up when the going gets tough.
It's coaching like Watson's - and a hungry, relentless mentality like what James has - that makes the Griffins such a force on the ice.
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