Turner Elson – The Grand Rapids Griffins Special Team Secret Weapon
6 years ago
Many hockey players have a common tale of woe. Personal struggles overflow into their game, injuries plague their careers, they’re perpetually traded and so on. What separates the common player from the pro is perseverance. Current Grand Rapids forward, Turner Elson, knows the struggle all too well – but also knows what he must do to rise above it. Having a successful junior career as well as a Kelly Cup win with the ECHL’s Alaska Aces his rookie pro season, Elson’s AHL career has been less flowery. In a constant state of change, Elson hasn’t been able to put down any roots. However, based on his performance this season with the Griffins, Elson may just want to get comfortable in Grand Rapids.
Beginning his junior career officially, Elson was selected by the Red Deer Rebels (WHL) in 2009 from the St. Albert Raiders Midget team. Young Turner got off to a slow start. Earning ice time is a common philosophy regardless of league, and Elson was determined to make the most of the time he got. In 66 games, Elson tallied only 17 points but made up for the lack with 94 penalty minutes. A scrappy youth, Turner was not (and is not) afraid of a little fist-to-cuffs. Junior hockey is loaded with hot-tempered boys looking to prove a point, and in that regard, Elson was no different.
His following seasons, however, showed a dramatic increase in discipline in the youngster – sort of. Still spending quite a bit of time in the box for one reason or another, Elson turned the tables on his production. Though his penalty minutes shot up to 124, he nearly doubled his goal and assist output. Finishing out his second season in the WHL with 31 points, Turner began to hone his abilities and find his niche. His first and second season as a Red Deer, Elson also skated in the post-season playoff run, earning 4 points in 9 games in ‘10-11.
Skating full-steam ahead into his third season as a Rebel, Elson continued to build off of the improvements from the season prior. In only 55 games played, Turner notched 46 points. Spending more time on the ice than in the box seemed to be the difference maker for the fiery youth. Unfortunately, Elson didn’t see any post-season action with Red Deer as they failed to make the playoffs, but scouts were no less impressed. Elson’s drive and quantifiable improvement was noticed by the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat, the NHL’s Calgary Flames primary affiliate. Elson only spent one game with Abbotsford in the 11-12 season, but it was the foot-in-the-door that he’d been working for. With renewed purpose after three long seasons, Elson decidedly finished his WHL career with his best foot forward. Earning the Alternate Captain title, Turner held a leadership role on and off the ice as well as the clout of being selected by the pros. In 64 games, Elson pumped out 57 points before being called to his new home with Abbotsford.
Unlike his storybook junior career, Turner’s AHL career took a very different shape. Beginning the 13-14 season with Abbotsford, Elson only managed to squeak by 3 points in 37 games. Now playing against full-grown men, the wiry Elson found himself outmatched. Elson was sent down Abbotsford’s ECHL affiliate, the Alaska Aces for the remainder of the season. There Turner thrived and once more seemed to regained his footing on his struggling rookie pro season. As if by design, the transition from AHL to ECHL proved to be exactly what the young forward needed to boost his confidence and get the ice time necessary for his development. The transition paid off when the Alaska Aces made a successful post-season run by winning the Kelly Cup. Beyond hoisting the ECHL’s equivalent the Stanley (NHL) or Calder (AHL) Cups, Elson’s determination and relentless on-ice drive grew. Finishing his rookie pro season with 15 regular season points and 11 post-season, Turner was beginning to take shape among the big boys.
Changing their name after a relocation, Elson found himself under the Adirondack Flames moniker. Bringing his newly discovered edge back from the ECHL, Turner once again called the AHL home. Finishing 59 games with 30 points, Elson was able to convert his knowledge into action. Having the comfort of not being sent down and playing with the same group all season had an immense impact on his performance. Elson seemed to thrive in consistency and the Flames gave him that foundational opportunity.
Once more changing their name along with moving to Stockton, Turner found himself on the Stockton Heat’s 15-16 roster. His roots would once more be pulled up, however, by a not-unwelcome call from the Calgary higher-ups. Fighting his way from juniors and through the perpetual moves and name changes of his AHL career, Elson was finally within reach of his NHL dream. Earning an assist in his debut game against Minnesota, the experience was bound to change Elson. He headed back to Stockton once more donning the Alternate Captain patch and tallied 30 points in what was to be his final season as a Flame. Unfortunately, Elson’s tenure with the Calgary Flames organization came to a close following the 15-16 season. Receiving only the one game call up, the Flames sent him packing and moved him to the San Antonio Rampage. Within reach of the NHL and finding himself passed over was no doubt difficult. Adding insult to injury, Elson only played 13 games with the Rampage before suffering a season-ending injury. Now facing the challenge of recovery and reconditioning, Turner was forced to accept an unhappy truth – he was damaged goods. An injury is a tough blow for any hockey player, a severe season-ending one however, is as good as a nail in career-coffin. Approaching his mid-twenties and sidelined for the year isn’t a glowing recommendation for other teams.
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Turner’s break came with a call from Grand Rapids. The Griffins, coming off of a Calder Cup Championship win, was in need of a few guys to fill some post-season holes. In the wake of guys like Marty Frk (DET) and Tomas Nosek (VGK) being moved to the NHL and the loss of Kyle Criscuolo (BUFF) and Mitch Callahan (EDM), the Griffins found their bench a bit empty. Enter Turner Elson. Taking a gamble on the recently recovered Elson, Detroit signed him to a one year contact and stationed him in Grand Rapids.
The culture proved to be exactly the structure and vibe he needed. “This season (has) been a lot better.” Elson told WingsNation, “I missed the whole year last year. I’m happy to be back playing and happy to be with these guys. It’s a great group of guys we have and a great coaching staff so it’s been good.” Finding himself in a championship culture with an AHL renown coach, Todd Nelson, Elson has become an aggressive component on the forecheck. “I think I play a hard defensive game. I play a lot of PK and now that I’m on the first PP I get a little bit more offense now I get to create a two-way game so that’s what I try to do every night – be a hard two way player. “ His speed has improved and his ability to play the puck has grown into an indispensable asset on the penalty kill. Earning increased minutes, Turner has been entrusted with filling in on the power play, during the absence of Evgeny Svechnikov (DET) and Tyler Bertuzzi (DET). Gaining Nelson’s trust on the special team, Elson sees it as an opportunity to enjoy the challenge, “Everyone has a different role usually and once you get bumped up to a new role like I have, it’s fun and you got to take a moment and take it in,” said Elson, “You might never get a chance to do it again. I’m happy with how I’m playing right now and I’m happy with how everything is going.”
Happy he should be. Though Elson isn’t producing as many points as some others, its clear to see his development is exactly where it needs to be. After several seasons of perpetual transition, all he needed was structure. Todd Nelson, one of the top-ranked coaches in AHL history, is the man for the job. Pairing Elson with already proven skaters like Colin Campbell and Dominic Turgeon, Elson has now become the skater to beat. Injuries haven’t been too far behind Turner this season who missed a few games due to minor issues but that doesn’t appear to be dampening his spirits, “Obviously, I’ve had a few injuries this year (and) you want to go back and change what you’ve done and how you’ve prepped yourself,” Elson told WingsNation, “Overall I’m just happy being on this team (on) a good team and good staff, (and) organization.”
With the regular season coming to a close, Elson is excited to show off his skills with the Griffins. Hardly containing himself when asked if he was excited, Elson responded, “Oh yeah! I’ve only been in the playoffs in the ECHL – this is my fifth year and this will be my first playoffs in the AHL. I’m really excited for it – I hope we pull through.”
Now comes the time I tell you why Detroit should call this Turner Elson guy.
Statistically speaking, he’s got numbers to prove he can improve. He’s adaptable, consistent on the ice and has a die-hard drive when playing. On the penalty kill and power play, he’s a play-maker that resembles Colin Campbell – smooth with a bit of scrap. He can defend himself, which is a plus for any league, but he’s not reckless like his junior years. Elson is deceptively fast and has a puck handling style that could be summed up as deliberate. Not always the prettiest handler, he gets the job done, surpassing his opposition.
Elson also has seasoned durability. Unlike a lot of players, he doesn’t fit the dump-and-change mold that is so prevalent. His stamina enables him to dump the puck, get it deep in the offensive zone and hold it there long enough for fresh legs to rejoin the effort – all while looking unphased by the exertion.
Elson is thriving among the leadership in Grand Rapids alongside his new teammates. Making it to the playoffs is a dream come true and one more step towards the NHL. Fully aware of the task that lays before himself and his teammates, Elson is looking ahead with a mix of realism and excitement, “We have to setup the playoffs. Playoffs start now; everyone knows that. We’ve got to make sure we get home ice advantage – myself included. I have to make sure I’m pushing the pace, make sure I keep my body healthy – just making sure I’m ready to go for playoff time.”
Coming into the final games of the regular season, the Grand Rapids Griffins have a chance to pursue the Calder Cup yet again. Chasing glory alongside the veterans and rookies alike, Elson has found his niche. This opportunity could just be the platform Elson needs to catapult his career and put the finishing touches on his development days.
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