Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ graduate defenseman Griffin Mendel(77) had his best college scoring season with his new school, almost equaling 4 years of totals he had at his initial one, University Of Denver Pioneers.
He takes his game to the pro level upon finishing up a 5th year of school and signs with Chicago Wolves for the rest of the AHL 2021/2022.
The towering 6’6″ 220 lbs. blue liner played a couple years of junior hockey, sort of close to home in Kelowna, BC for Penticton Vees and skated an equal 52 games, en route to a 2017 BCHL Championship in his 2nd session.
We think it’s his NCAA Division 1 +53 rating that gets the 23-year old the most notice.
In 10 games, he gets 2 assists with a +5 rating and then gets into 1 playoff contest, but leaves a +2.
The Kelowna, BC native is staying put for what will be his rookie season, 2022/2023
With 9 goals and 10 assists in his 1st frame, the big d-man earns himself a handsome 1-year NHL entry level deal from parent club Carolina Hurricanes.
He wasn’t really scoring, until he was reassigned down to Norfolk Admirals, where he finally struck for 3 goals and 3 assists in 8 games with a +3 rating
For 2024/2025, he takes his game to Czech Extraliga and signs with Rytiri Kladno.
In 52 games, he gets 1 goal and 5 assists with a -1 rating to get himself a new deal for 2025/2026.
He continues to do well and is offered a 1-year extension to continue with Kladno.
