AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Griffins training camp starts September 29th

Published on September 22, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins will commence their ninth annual training camp next Wednesday, Sept. 29 with 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. practices at Griff's IceHouse at Belknap Park (30 Coldbrook NE). More than 30 players will join head coach Danton Cole and assistant Greg Ireland, as the Griffins begin preparations for their third season as the primary affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings.

While all practices at Griff's IceHouse are free and open to the public, the Griffins will host a special "Training Camp Open House" for fans on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Fans will enjoy free hot dogs, soft drinks and snacks, and have the opportunity to meet the 2004-05 Griffins players. Half of the Griffins' squad will practice from 10:30 a.m. to noon and meet with fans from 12:30-1 p.m., while the other group will greet fans from 11-11:30 a.m. before hitting the ice from 12:15-1:45 p.m. Griffins GM Bob McNamara and Red Wings goaltending coach Jim Bedard will also be available to answer questions from noon until 12:30 p.m.

Fourteen players who have previously worn a Griffins uniform are currently under contract with either the Griffins or Red Wings, including goaltender Joey MacDonald, defensemen Paul Ballantyne, Danny Groulx, Niklas Kronwall, Brett Lebda, Travis Richards and Dave Van Drunen, and forwards Darryl Bootland, Matt Ellis, Eric Himelfarb, Jiri Hudler, Tomas Kopecky, Nathan Robinson and Blake Sloan.

Following five days of practice, the Griffins will get their first taste of competition during an intersquad scrimmage with the Cleveland Barons on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at The Summit in Dimondale, Mich., located off I-96 at exit 98B near Lansing. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids 18 and younger, and are available at the door or by calling 517-319-1000.

Grand Rapids' subsequent preseason schedule will consist of a pair of road games at Chicago (Oct. 7 at 8 p.m.) and Milwaukee (Oct. 8 at 8 p.m.). The Griffins will christen the AHL's regular season on Friday, Oct. 15 by hosting Cleveland for Griffins Opening Night, presented by Foremost Insurance. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

Individual tickets for all 2004-05 home games go on sale this Saturday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. They can be purchased through Star Tickets Plus outlets (222-4000 or 800-585-3737), West Michigan Meijer locations and The Zone at Van Andel Arena, or by visiting griffinshockey.com. Griffins full-season, mini-season and group ticket packages are currently on sale through the team's office at (800) 2-HOCKEY.

Check out the Grand Rapids Griffins Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from September 22, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central