KINDL COMES TO GRIFFINS, GALVIN GOES TO FURY

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday signed defenseman Jakub Kindl to an amateur tryout and assigned defenseman Tom Galvin to the UHL’s Muskegon Fury.

Kindl, 20, was the Detroit Red Wings’ first selection (19th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He made his pro debut with the Griffins at the end of the 2005-06 season, contributing one assist in three regular season games and remaining on the team’s roster during its first playoff series.

Returning to the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers this season, Kindl enjoyed a phenomenal year, averaging more than a point per game during both the regular season and playoffs. His 55 points (11-44—55) in 54 games ranked seventh overall on Kitchener and tied for eighth among the league’s blueliners, and he contributed 11 points (2-9—11) in nine playoff games. The Rangers bowed out 4-1 to Plymouth last weekend in the OHL’s Western Conference Semifinals.

Kindl will be available to play on Thursday when the Griffins visit the MTS Centre for Game 1 of the North Division Semifinals against the Manitoba Moose.

Galvin, 27, saw action in 41 games for the Griffins this season, totaling seven assists and a plus-7 rating. He also scored five points (1-4—5) in 14 games with the Fury.