After a stellar season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Luke Glendening is getting a change to prove he can do it all again.
Glendening, 24, is an undrafted free agent that made his way to the AHL by way of the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye. While the former University of Michigan product had a brief stint with the Providence Bruins in 2011-12, suiting up in three games, he didn’t stick until finding his spot with the Griffins.
After putting up 14 goals and seven assists in 27 games for the Walleye, Glendening made the jump to the Griffins and helped out with 26 points (8-18) in 51 regular season games. However, it was the playoffs where Glendening really shone.
During the Griffins run to the Calder Cup, a run which culminated with the franchises first Calder Cup, Glendening put up 16 points (6-10) in 24 games. On top of that, Glendening got some praise from Red Wings bench boss Mike Babcock.
From Steve Kaminski’s piece at MLive.com:
“Oh, he will play at the next level, for sure,” Babcock said. “He just knows how to play. He does things right, and he is an everydayer. When you are a coach in the NHL, that is what you are looking for.
“Glendening jumps right at me for sure. He does everything right, he competes real hard and he will challenge for a job in the National Hockey League in not too long.”
Glendening will get the chance to prove he can indeed play at the next level, and the Red Wings are giving him a “show me” deal. The one-year contract gives Glendening a home for next year and, if Babcock is to be believed, maybe longer.
