HOBEY BAKER FINALIST TOPS GRIFFINS' TRIO

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday signed three players to amateur tryouts, including 2007 Hobey Baker Award finalist Scott Parse, 2005 Detroit Red Wings draft pick Mattias Ritola, and defenseman Cleve Kinley.

Parse, 22, was one of the top collegiate players throughout his four years as a forward at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. The Portage, Mich., native was named to the CCHA’s All-Conference Team each of the last three seasons following his All-Rookie Team selection in 2004, and he was recently named a Hobey Baker Award finalist for the second consecutive year. The 10 finalists for college hockey’s top honor will be pared to three on March 28, with the winner announced on April 6 during the Frozen Four in St. Louis.

Parse scored a career-high 24 goals this season and led Nebraska-Omaha in scoring for the fourth straight year, finishing with 52 points (24-28—52). He departs as the Mavericks’ all-time leader with 79 goals, 118 assists, 197 points and 159 games played, having missed only two games during his college career.

In 2005-06, Parse was named CCHA Player of the Year after ranking first in the conference and second in the nation with a school-record 61 points (20-41—61). Also chosen as a First Team All-American, he led the Mavericks to their first NCAA Tournament appearance.

Ritola, a 20-year-old center, was chosen by the Red Wings with their fourth pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He made his pro debut in 2005-06 in the Swedish Elite League at the age of 18, contributing three assists in 30 games with Leksands IF.

Kinley, 23, was originally signed by the Griffins on March 12 and made his pro debut in their 3-2 shootout loss to Manitoba on March 16. Released on March 21, the former UMass-Lowell captain recorded two assists and a plus-five rating in three games with the UHL’s Muskegon Fury last weekend.

All three players will be available on Wednesday, when the Griffins host the Milwaukee Admirals at 7 p.m. at Van Andel Arena.