Jeff Hoggan, captain of the Grand Rapids Griffins the past four seasons and the leader of the team's 2013 Calder Cup championship playoff run, will not return.

Hoggan, in a text exchange with MLive, said late Monday he is "coming to terms with the confirmed reality of not coming back" to the Griffins.

The 38-year-old said he received a call from the Red Wings organization informing him of the decision.

Hoggan hopes to play next season, saying "it's still in me" and that he has received notice there should be interest from other AHL teams.

If that happens, it will be difficult for fans in Grand Rapids who have come to associate the veteran with success as a member of the Griffins.

The team is in a crunch up front with a number of veteran along with younger players who need playing time to develop. The veterans include Mitch Callahan and Louis-Marc Aubry, who have received qualifying offers, Martin said, along with promising young forwards such as Tyler Bertuzzi and last year's top pick, Evgeny Svechnikov.

"I reached out to Jeff last week after our pro scouting meetings had ended to let him know that, unfortunately, we would not be in a position to offer him a contract this year because of those two things," said Ryan Martin, the Red Wings assistant general manager. "But, without question, his leadership has been tremendous down there."

Martin noted the organization also remains in contract conversations with veteran center Andy Miele.

After the Griffins were eliminated in the division finals in mid-May, Hoggan was uncertain if he would be back.

"I'm at that place where you're wondering if there's more left and if they believe it and if there's a place for you," Hoggan said after his exit interview with organization staff members, including Martin. "At this point, you have to make life decisions and you want to lean on as many people as you can and we have that relationship, so we'll see."

Hoggan had not played in the AHL after two seasons in Germany before joining Grand Rapids on a tryout in 2012 at the urging of new coach Jeff Blashill. Hoggan not only landed a contract, but Blashill made him team captain.

That season, the Griffins went from a slow start to a magical finish and won the franchise's first AHL title. Hoggan played in every game - 100 in total - and finished with 20 goals and 45 points in the regular season and 12 points on five goals in 24 playoff games.

"I point to three or four people that have had the biggest single impact on the culture change in Grand Rapids and Jeff is certainly there, a close second to what (coach) Jeff Blashill instilled there," Martin said, also noting veteran defensemen Nathan Paetsch and Brennan Evans.

"They played on minor league deals and had a real vested interest in success in Grand Rapids," Martin added. "That was their NHL and they treated it like that, and the results since have been immeasurable."

Bob Kaser, the Grand Rapids Griffins broadcaster and vice president of community relations, said of Hoggan:

"I would argue that no other player in our 20-year history has meant as much to this organization as Jeff Hoggan. With all due respect to a long list of greats, Jeff served us as the ultimate captain ...

"But his contributions to the Griffins and our community extend well beyond wins and losses. He has had a profound effect on countless thousands of people by simply being a great human being. The Griffins organization is indebted to Jeff, his wife, Chevonne and sons, Hunter, Cam and Quinn, and will forever consider him one of the grandest of Griffins."

After 2012-13, Hoggan had matching totals of 14 goals and 31 points the next two seasons. In 2015-16, under new coach Todd Nelson, Hoggan played exclusively on the fourth line and finished with nine goals and 12 points in 67 games.

His leadership, Martin said, came from his work ethic and consistency.

"He got the absolute most from his skill set," Martin said. "He was always well conditioned and such a determined player."

The last different AHL team Hoggan played for was the San Antonio Rampage in 2009-10. That season, he also played four games with the Phoenix Coyotes, the last of 107 NHL games with three teams.

Hoggan also won a Calder Cup in 2002-03 with the Houston Aeros and his first full season as a pro. He also played with AHL teams in Worchester and Providence.