GRIFFINS SIGN ELKINS
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins have signed center Corey Elkins to a one-year contract for the 2017-18 season.
Elkins, 32, tallied 23 points (4-19—23) and 55 penalty minutes in 41 games for HIFK Helsinki of the Finnish Elite League this season before contributing seven points (2-5—7) in 14 postseason contests. Elkins appeared in a total of 223 regular season games for Helsinki from 2012-17 and logged 129 points (42-87—129). He added 24 points (12-12—24) in 43 playoff games.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound center last played in North America during the 2012-13 campaign when he scored four points (3-1—4) in 24 games for the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals and six points (3-3—6) in four games for the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL before continuing his career overseas.
Elkins tallied 13 points (6-7—13) in 26 games for HC Pardubice in 2011-12 and teamed with current Griffin Tomas Nosek to help the club win the Czech ExtraLiga championship.
Elkins skated in 173 AHL contests from 2009-11 and 2012-13 between Manchester and Norfolk and totaled 91 points (42-49—91). He registered a career-best 44 points (18-26—44) in 76 games with Manchester in 2010-11, a season after scoring one goal in three games with the Los Angeles Kings during his first NHL action.
A native of West Bloomfield, Mich., Elkins played four seasons (2005-09) at Ohio State University before turning pro. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Elkins produced 60 points (27-33—60) in 102 games and was named the team’s MVP following the 2008-09 campaign after leading the team in goals and points (18-23—41).
The Griffins travel to Chicago for Game 1 of the Central Division Finals on Wednesday at 8 p.m. EDT.
Playoff tickets are available at all Star Tickets locations, including The Zone, online through griffinshockey.com/tickets, by phone through Star Tickets at (800) 585-3737, or via the Griffins app for iPhone or Android.
Available for all playoff home games, Playoff 4-Packs include four or more tickets at a savings of $3 per ticket plus no service fees. To purchase a Playoff 4-Pack, visit griffinshockey.com/playoff4pack or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2.
Fans who want to experience every Griffins game at Van Andel Arena during the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs can purchase a Griffins Playoff SuperPass. Enjoy the same great seat at significant savings plus the convenience of the “pay-as-we-play” method of payment. To reserve your Griffins Playoff SuperPass, visit griffinshockey.com/superpass or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2.
Continuing a postseason tradition, the Griffins are extending their popular Friday promotion and will offer $2 beers and $2 hot dogs for all home playoff games for two hours after the doors open, while supplies last. In addition, 2,500 fans will receive Griffins playoff rally towels during the second round, compliments of Auto Value Parts Stores.
Peppino’s Sports Grille in downtown Grand Rapids will host watch parties for all Griffins road games during the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs, including Games 1 and 2 in Chicago. Fans can enjoy $2 short and $4 tall Bud Light specials, $5.99 all-American burger baskets and $8.99 one-topping deep dish pizzas.