Cossa Named AHL Player of the Week

Sebastian Cossa is having the kind of season the Red Wings hoped he would have when they made him the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Monday, he was named the American Hockey League’s Player of the Week.

Last week, Cossa stopped 65 of 67 shots and recorded his first shutout as a Griffin a 1-0 blanking of Texas that lifted Grand Rapids into second place in the AHL’s Central Division.

For the season, Cossa has a 2.61 GAA and a .911 save percentage. He is 12-7-5 in 24 games, but 6-0-2 during a recent stretch that has seen Grand Rapids record at least a point in its last 15 games.

He’s the second Griffin to receive the honor this season. Marco Kasper was honored f0r the week of Jan. 21.

Routine Plays Key Role in Cossa Success

Overall, a good effort in his first season in the AHL.

“I’m pretty happy with it overall,” Cossa said last week. “I’ve definitely seen some ups and downs throughout the year. I want to finish the season strong and continue to develop here.”

Griffins coach Dan Watson says Cossa’s practice routine has played a role in his success this season, too.

“He’s into a groove now. You know, he’s got a detailed schedule of what has to be done for him to have success every single day. Working with (goaltending development coach) Roope Koistinen pretty closely here on a daily basis has really helped them. And it’s sticking with that process, even when he’s having success. It’s still sticking with what he’s doing to give him that success and not just throwing things by the wayside.”

Cossa and veteran Michael Hutchinson have provided a potent 1-2 punch in net for the Griffins, who struggled in net last season and missed the playoffs.

Their success, Watson said, helps his team’s overall confidence.

“I think it allows teams to play a little more free especially with the puck,” he said. “You know, you don’t have to worry all the time. ‘Well, you know, we can’t give up shots. We can’t give up a shot from this area of the ice. I just think it allows teams to play free with the puck.

“Good goaltending back there and it takes that pressure off,” he continued. “It allows our D to play a little more aggressively. If they get beat, they know they have someone there to stop the puck on the back end of it. So we trust our goaltenders immensely.”