Griffins Add Coetzee and Ferraro
March 30, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday signed center Landon Ferraro to an amateur tryout and announced that right wing Willie Coetzee has been reassigned to Grand Rapids by the Detroit Red Wings from the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League.
The two prolific forwards, teammates with Red Deer since 2007, helped the Rebels to a 39-28-0-5 record this season - a 23-point improvement over their 2008-09 campaign - and a WHL playoff berth.
Coetzee, 19, tied for 16th in the WHL with 81 points (29-52-81) in 72 games, pacing Red Deer in points, assists and plus/minus (plus-10) while standing second in goals. A native of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with Detroit on Sept. 18, 2009 after an impressive performance during his stint at the Red Wings' prospect tournament and training camp. In 2008-09, Coetzee finished second to Ferraro in scoring for Red Deer, totaling 42 points (18-24-42) in 72 contests.
Ferraro, 18, ranked fourth on the Rebels with 46 points (16-30-46) and placed third in assists through 53 games this season. The Trail, British Columbia, native was named Red Deer's Most Valuable Player in 2008-09 after tying for ninth in the WHL with 37 goals and finishing first on the club with 55 points. The son of long-time NHLer Ray Ferraro, Landon was selected by Detroit with its first pick (32nd overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
After participating in their first practice with the Griffins today, Coetzee and Ferraro will available to make their professional debuts when Grand Rapids hosts the Rochester Americans on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
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