GRAND RAPIDS, MI – By the time his hockey career is over, Detroit Red Wings prospect Gustav Nyquist may have great memories and a wall full of mementos.

But, for now, he does not possess that most treasured item – the puck from his first NHL goal.

“It’s something you always remember,” Nyquist said. “It’s just unfortunate I don’t have it.”

The current member of the Grand Rapids Griffins, who leads the AHL in scoring, no longer has the puck or a game sheet - both framed and with his name - from his Red Wings debut on Nov. 1, 2011 against Minnesota. His first goal came March 26, 2012 against Columbus.

Nyquist, 23 and considered one of the organization’s top prospects, played in 18 games and four playoff games last season with Detroit, finishing with that lone goal along with six assists. After the season, the Halmstad, Sweden, resident put many of his valuables from his Grand Rapids apartment into an area storage unit with teammates Landon Ferraro and Travis Ehrhardt. That included the puck, game sheet, clothes and some furniture.

When he returned in September, he learned the storage unit had been auctioned off in August through a misunderstanding over payment. Nyquist declined to go into details, but he said the buyer is unknown and he hopes for a settlement from the Alpine-based location.

Of course, that won’t help him get back the mementos.

“It’s something special to have, for sure,” Nyquist said. “Hopefully, one day I’ll see it again. It’s just a fun thing to have on your wall.”

Meanwhile, Nyquist has enjoyed another productive season. After setting a Griffins’ rookie scoring record (58 points in 56 games), he leads the AHL in scoring (22 goals, 35 assists for 57 points in 54 games), following a five-point weekend in three road games.

The Griffins are home for 7 p.m. games Friday (Hamilton) and Saturday (Lake Erie) and at Hamilton on Sunday.

The Griffins have never had a player lead the AHL in scoring. Michel Picard (32-52-84) was third, two points off the lead, in 2002-03.

Nyquist also has been called up twice this season by Detroit for one game each - on Jan. 22 and Feb. 15 – without a point.

As for the puck and game sheet, he hopes someone will come forward.

“If someone knows anything, that’d be great,” he said.

Have any information? Contact Randy Cleves, the Griffins' senior director of public relations, at 616-774-4585, extension 3046.

