Griffith Talks About Role With Manitoba

It’s hard to believe, but Wallaceburg’s Seth Griffith is moving into a new phase of his career, one in which he’s being looked at for veteran leadership.

After nearly making the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets out of camp, that leadership role will be served with the American Hockey League’s Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg’s top affiliate.

“It was a good camp, it’s hard, it’s a long summer so you have to get your legs back underneath you and your hands going,” said Griffith in an interview with the Moose.

“Obviously the goal is to be with the Jets full time, but I’m down here right now, and obviously our goal is to succeed down here.”

While the Moose haven’t had that success yet, opening the season with a pair of losses, Griffith is taking his role seriously, and he’s also acclimatizing to a new position, as he’s playing primarily centre, instead of wing as he has in recent seasons.

“It’s exciting, it’s a lot more responsibility in your own end. You have to get back in your own end and neutral zone quicker,” Griffith said of playing centre. “I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’m pretty versatile so I can adjust pretty quickly.”

Not only is he being counted upon to take care of business in his own end, but the Moose still need Griffith, who has been an all-star level scorer in the AHL to do just that, score.

“I’ve been an offensive guy my whole life, especially in the American League, so I’m just looking to build off the success I’ve had in the past. Obviously I want to be a leader, I’m getting to that point now where I’ve been around long enough. I’m not the chattiest guy when it comes to games, so I just try to lead by example. At the end of the day I think that’s better than just having a voice in the room.”