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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Hockeytown Heroes highlights Griffins' promotional schedule

September 21, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. – A series of appearances by former Detroit Red Wings stars will serve as the centerpiece of the Grand Rapids Griffins' expanded promotional lineup for the 2004-05 American Hockey League season.

Future Hall of Famer Igor Larionov and Dino Ciccarelli will christen the four-night "Hockeytown Heroes" series by meeting and signing autographs for Griffins fans before games on Nov. 13 and Dec. 4, respectively. Personalities are still to be confirmed for the final two nights of the series, set for Feb. 18 and April 15.

Single-game tickets for these contests, as well as each of the Griffins' 40 regular season home games at Van Andel Arena, will go on sale to the general public this Saturday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m.

Griffins tickets 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. Single ticket prices are $5, $13 and $15 in the arena's upper bowl, and $17, $20 and $25 in the lower bowl.

One major highlight this season is the expansion of the Griffins' family four pack offer from six dates in 2003-04 to 15 dates this year. For every Friday home game, fans can purchase a "Subway Family Four Pack" that includes four tickets, four Subway Fresh Meal Deals and parking for just $44.

The team's unique promotional schedule debuts on Oct. 15 with the Opening Night Celebration, presented by Foremost Insurance. The first 5,000 fans through the gates for the season opener versus Cleveland will receive a pair of Foremost CheerStix, and everyone will get a Griffins magnetic schedule. Fans will enjoy a pre-game laser and pyrotechnics show, and world famous Lou "Simon Says" Goldstein will entertain the crowd during intermission.

Several other famous personalities will make visits to Van Andel Arena throughout the 2004-05 season, including NASCAR sensation Kasey Kahne (Dec. 11), the Hanson Brothers from the movie "Slapshot" (March 18), SpongeBob SquarePants (Feb. 20), and a member of ABC's hit show "Extreme Home Makeover" (Feb. 26).

Continuing a Griffins tradition, the team will don special jerseys twice this season and auction them to fans for the benefit of local charities. They'll attempt to frighten the opposition with Halloween jerseys on Oct. 30, while the "Tribute to ‘Slapshot'" on March 18 will feature a special Griffins edition of the Charlestown Chiefs' jerseys.

Other theme nights range from the traditional (the "Fourth Annual Hockey Recess" on Nov. 16, and the "Seventh Annual Teddy Bear Toss" on Nov. 26) to the obscure ("A Festivus For the Rest of Us!" celebration of "Seinfeld" on Dec. 26, and "One Hit Wonders" on March 18, paying tribute to those whose 15 minutes of fame have expired). Also, one lucky fan will win a complete home makeover during "Griffins Home Makeover with Stock Building Supply" on Feb. 26.

Giveaways throughout the season will include Griffins team posters (Oct. 29), playing cards (Vegas Baby! – Nov. 20), iron-on T-shirt logos (Return of the ‘80s – Jan. 21), dog dishes (Who Let the Dogs Out? – April 2) and the incomparable mullet wigs (Dec. 18).

Several popular recurring promotions will also dot the schedule, including eight post-game autograph sessions with Griffins players and 10 Max & Erma's Post-Game Skates with WSNX. In addition, during every Friday home game, families can enjoy games and activities on the concourse as part of the new "Friday Fun Fest."

The Griffins' complete promotional schedule follows. For more information, contact the Griffins at (616) 774-4585 or (800) 2-HOCKEY.

IMPORTANT GRIFFINS DATES

Sat., Sept. 25 Griffins Single-Game Tickets On Sale The Zone/Meijer/Star Tickets PLUS 10 a.m.

Wed., Sept. 29 Griffins Training Camp Begins Griff's IceHouse 10 a.m.

Tue., Oct. 5 Scrimmage vs. Cleveland Barons The Summit – Dimondale, Mich. 7:30 p.m.

Thu., Oct. 7 Preseason Game #1 at Chicago Wolves Rolling Meadows, Ill. 8 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 8 Preseason Game #2 at Milwaukee Admirals Milwaukee 8 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 15 Regular Season Opener vs. Cleveland Barons Van Andel Arena 7:30 p.m.

2004-05 GRIFFINS PROMOTIONAL NIGHTS

Oct. 15 Opening Night Celebration, presented by Foremost Insurance – All fans receive a Griffins magnetic schedule, and the first 5,000 also get a pair of Foremost CheerStix. Pre-game laser and pyrotechnics show, plus world famous Lou "Simon Says" Goldstein at intermission.

Oct. 29 Meet Your Griffins – The first 3,000 fans receive a Griffins team poster.

Oct. 30 The Haunted Van Halloween Bash - Adults: Wear a costume and get a ticket, hot dog, and your choice of beverage (soda or beer) for just $15! Day of game purchase only. Kids 12 and under: Wear a costume and get a ticket, hot dog, and soda for just $10! Day of game only. Trick-or-treating on the concourse, and a post-game auction of the Griffins' Halloween-themed jerseys.

Nov. 5 B-93 We Love Our Country Night - Live music, videos, interactive games, prizes and more!

Nov. 13 We Are Hockeytown West! - The first 1,500 fans receive a Detroit Red Wings pennant. Hockeytown Heroes Series #1: Meet former Detroit Red Wings star Igor Larionov.

Nov. 16 Fourth Annual Hockey Recess - The in's and out's of Michigan government.

Nov. 20 Vegas Baby! - The first 1,500 fans receive a deck of Griffins playing cards, as Van Andel Arena is transformed into a Vegas-style casino!

Nov. 26 Seventh Annual Teddy Bear Toss - Toss a bear on the ice after the Griffins' first goal.

Dec. 4 Hockeytown Heroes Series #2 - Meet former Detroit Red Wings star Dino Ciccarelli.

Dec. 11 The NASCAR Experience - Meet NASCAR Driver Kasey Kahne! Auto racing fun all night long.

Dec. 18 Mullets Rule! - The first 1,500 fans receive a mullet wig.

Dec. 26 A Festivus for the Rest of Us! - A celebration of the sitcom about nothing, "Seinfeld."

Dec. 31 New Year's Eve Bash! – The first 3,000 fans receive noisemakers.

Jan. 14 B-93 We Love Our Country Night

Jan. 21 Return of the ‘80s - First 1,500 fans receive a Griffins iron-on T-shirt logo! Eighties music, videos, and games all night long.

Feb. 11 Welcome to Margaritaville - Live music and more!

Feb. 18 Hockeytown Heroes Series #3 - Special guest to be announced.

Feb. 20 Mascot Mania with SpongeBob SquarePants - Meet the popular character from Nickelodeon's show, along with other favorite local mascots.

Feb. 25 Bring Your "A" Game, presented by Centennial Securities – The first 3,000 students through the doors with a report card receive a barrel gym bag from Centennial Securities. Prizes will be given out for A's on report cards.

Feb. 26 Griffins Home Makeover with Stock Building Supply - Meet a team member from ABC's hit show "Extreme Home Makeover." Plus, one lucky fan will win a complete home makeover!

March 11 B-93 We Love Our Country Night

March 12 One Hit Wonders – Pay "tribute" to all those whose 15 minutes of fame have expired.

March 18 Tribute to "Slapshot" - Meet the Hanson Brothers from the movie. Prizes all night long, and a post-game auction of the special Griffins edition Charlestown Chiefs Jerseys.

March 20 Griff's Carnival - Carnival games and prizes!

April 1 April Fools!

April 2 Who Let the Dogs Out? – The first 1,500 fans receive a Griffins dog dish, and dogs up for adoption will be on the concourse.

April 15 Hockeytown Heroes Series #4 - Special guest to be announced.

April 16 The Regular Season Grand Finale, presented by West Michigan Chrysler Jeep Dealers.

THE GRIFFINS' FRIDAY FUN FEST – Games and activities for the entire family, every Friday night on the Van Andel Arena concourse.

SUBWAY FAMILY FOUR PACK - Available for all Friday night games, this package includes four tickets, four Subway Fresh Meal Deals and parking for just $44!

MAX & ERMA'S POST-GAME SKATE WITH WSNX – Oct. 30, Nov. 28, Dec. 26 and 31, Jan. 15 and 29, Feb. 20 and 26, March 20, and April 16.

POST-GAME AUTOGRAPHS – Oct. 29, Nov. 12, Dec. 11 and 26, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 18, and April 16.

Check out the Grand Rapids Griffins Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from September 21, 2004


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