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CEDAR PARK, Tex. — Before the season started, the Grand Rapids Griffins were a trendy pick to reach the Calder Cup Finals.

The Detroit Red Wings’ American Hockey League affiliate had a deep, talented roster and a new coach with NHL experience.

Then, the Griffins didn’t just stumble out of the gate, they hit a free fall.

Grand Rapids went 2-8-1 in their first 11 games under Todd Nelson, who replaced now-Detroit coach Jeff Blashill, and were quickly written off in the ultra-competitive Central Division.

But something clicked and Grand Rapids forgot how to lose hockey games.

The Griffins posted a 15-game win streak after their horrendous start, then followed that up three months later with a 13-game stretch that only recently came to an end. Before this season Grand Rapids record for consecutive wins was 11.

“We are a streaky team,” Nelson said. “We have a group that really build on the highs and used to get to low on the lows. I think we’re starting to find that even level now and it’s put us in the right position.”

Maybe it shouldn’t have been a surprise that Grand Rapids turned it around. The Griffins have been arguably the most consistent AHL franchise over the past four seasons.

After missing the playoffs in 2012, Grand Rapids won the Calder Cup in 2013. The Griffins then reached the second round in 2014 and the Western Conference finals in 2015.

In total, Grand Rapids has posted a 29-20 record in playoff games and won six of it’s last eight playoff series.

And winning in the AHL is a difficult juggling act. With rosters fluctuating frequently, and a varying mix of attitudes, coaching in the AHL is one of the toughest jobs in professional hockey. Sometimes a veteran group can make it more difficult — players sour about being stuck in the minors — while other times it can help galvanize a locker room.

“I think that’s what we have with our leaders,” Nelson said. “We really have everyone bought in. Yes, we have to scratch one every night. But, there is an understanding and I think that’s really helped our younger players.”

This season that veteran core is filled with a who’s who list of one-time or former full-time NHL players. Daniel Cleary has 938 games of NHL experience, Griffins captain Jeff Hoggan sprinkled in 107 NHL games since turning pro in 2002, Nathan Paetsch has 167 career games, Eric Tangradi has 144 NHL games under his belt, while leading scorer Andy Miele has 15 career NHL games and a is perennial AHL All-Star.

“You go into that room and you can learn a lot,” rookie defenseman Robbie Russo said.

The young guys have also been key to Grand Rapids success. Detroit is well known for letting prospects “over ripe” or spend extra time in the AHL, and the talents of Russo, Martin Frk, Ryan Sproul, Xavier Ouellette, and Tyler Bertuzzi are starting develop into finished products.

“We have a lot of talent with the young guys,” Griffins goalie Tom McCollum said. “You can see what the organization is building for the future. Right now I’m just benefitting playing behind them each night.”