AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins to Honor Memory of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Alumni Throughout 2011-12 Season

Published on October 7, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Griffins have planned several memorials to honor their three alumni - Pavol Demitra, Karel Rachunek and Stefan Liv - who were members of the KHL's Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team that perished in the Sept. 7 plane crash in Russia.

Beginning with tomorrow's 2011-12 opener in Rockford, Griffins players will wear a special helmet sticker for all 76 games this season, with a complementary patch also adorning their jerseys during all 38 home contests.

Both the sticker and patch display the words "Griffins Forever" above the jersey numbers worn by the players during their time in Grand Rapids. Demitra's 38 is shown in blue, Rachunek's 29 is depicted in gold to represent his one-time status as an Ottawa Senators prospect, and Liv's 1 is red to reflect his tenure during the Griffins' affiliation with the Detroit Red Wings.

At the Griffins' home opener next Friday, Oct. 14 at Van Andel Arena, a moment of silence will be held in the players' memory immediately prior to the national anthem, and fans can read a tribute article in the first issue of Griffiti, the team's official magazine. In addition, a column on the arena concourse that honors Demitra as one of Grand Rapids' most distinguished NHL alumni will be adorned with a black ribbon for the duration of the 2011-12 season.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 7, 2011


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