Tyler Bertuzzi, MVP
Grand Rapids Griffins are the champions of the American Hockey League and the top affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Detroit Red Wings got a most valuable player performance from a gritty northern Ontario kid.
Sudbury native Tyler Bertuzzi finished off his MVP playoff showing with a late goal that helped Grand Rapids upend the Syracuse Crunch 4-3 in Tuesday’s Game 6 of the AHL title series.
Through 19 playoff games, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Bertuzzi — a second-round draft pick of the NHL Red Wings in 2013 — netted 9 goals, 10 assists, 19 points while racking up 50 minutes in penalties.
A second-year pro with Grand Rapids and a top prospect of the NHL Red Wings, the 22-year old Bertuzzi is a former 48-goal scorer with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League.
The ever-smiling youngster is the son of Angela Bertuzzi and Adrian Gedye of Sudbury. Gedye doubles as his son’s agent and is also the owner and president of the Rayside-Balfour Canadians of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
PHOTO: Calder Cup playoff MVP Tyler Bertuzzi with his dad, Adrian Gedye.