PLAYERS TO WATCH
UPCOMING HOME OPPONENTS MILWAUKEE (Oct. 18, Nov. 20)
The Admirals welcome the return of Austin Watson, 21, one of the top prospects of the Nashville Predators. The 6-foot-3 center scored 20 goals during his first pro season in 2012-13 when he ranked fifth among all AHL rookies. Watson had a decorated junior career, winning a pair of OHL titles and a Memorial Cup in addition to becoming the first American to win the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the OHL’s 2012 playoff MVP. A first-round pick (18th overall) by Nashville in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Watson was born and raised in Ann Arbor, where he was the oldest of 10 children.
CHARLOTTE (Oct. 25, Oct. 30)
The Checkers will benefit from the addition of high-scoring forward Chris Terry, 24, who passed through waivers after failing to make the Carolina Hurricanes’ roster out of training camp. A native of Brampton, Ontario, Terry has scored 92 goals over the past four AHL seasons, including 2010-11 when his 34 goals led all AHL Eastern Conference players. He tallied a single-season team-record eight game-winning goals a year ago when he also notched the gamewinning goal in his NHL debut against New Jersey. Terry never missed a game due to injury in his first four professional seasons. 2
Grand Rapids GRIFFINS • 2013 Calder Cup Champions