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P.A.’s Nelson wins historic Calder Cup as head coach
Back on July 24, 1996, Prince Albert’s Todd Nelson made history by becoming the first ever player to sign with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Then on Tuesday as the Griffins’ head coach, Nelson lifted the American Hockey League championship trophy, the Calder Cup, over his head after with the team he helped get its feet off the ground 21 years prior.
“It’s extra special. Anytime you win a championship, it means so much,” Nelson, who played for the Prince Albert Raiders from 1985-90, said. “To do it here in Grand Rapids and win in Game 6 at home [against the Syracuse Crunch], it really—it’s just simply special.”