Euro Curve takes a daily look at the latest international hockey headlines.
– Igor Grigorenko has been demoted by the Detroit Red Wings and will start the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. This is rather unfortunate news, as I recently drafted Grigorenko in my keeper league (http://4yearpool.hockey.sportsline.com/). Grigorenko, drafted by the Red Wings in 2001, (2/62) impressed many in training camp but was the victim of a numbers game as the Red Wings already have 12 healthy forwards. Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock says Grigorenko will be served by some 1st line ice time in the American Hockey League and will be re-called in the not so distant future. Grigorenko had 14 goals and 13 assists in 49 games last season for Lada Togliatti of the Russian Super League.
– Martin Kariya, the younger brother of Superstar Paul Kariya, will start the season with the Peoria Rivermen of the Amercian Hockey League. Kariya led the SM-Liiga in scoring last year while with the Espoo Blues, scoring 18 goals and 43 assists in 51 games.
For Illegal Curve, I’m Ezra Ginsburg.
