GRIFFINS SIGN PATRICK McCARRON

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday signed defenseman Patrick McCarron to an amateur tryout for the remainder of this season and to a standard player’s contract for 2017-18.

McCarron, 22, played the last four seasons at Cornell University (ECAC), where he tallied 50 points (12-38—50) and 81 penalty minutes in 123 games.

As an alternate captain his senior year, the 6-foot-3, 201-pound blueliner was named to the All-Ivy League Second Team, finished second on the Big Red in scoring with 25 points (6-19—25) and helped Cornell reach the NCAA Tournament. McCarron added 41 PIM to lead the team and ranked among the ECAC’s leading defensemen in goals (T8th), assists (7th) and points (T6th).

He collected three points (1-2—3) and was selected to the All-ECAC Tournament Team as Cornell advanced to the conference tournament title game.

McCarron logged an eight-game point streak from Nov. 5-Dec. 2, 2016, to mark the longest by a Big Red defenseman since 2002-2003.

Prior to his collegiate career, the Toronto native skated in three seasons for the St. Michael’s Buzzers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. From 2010-13, he tallied 94 points (18-76—94) in 130 games. During his final season in 2012-13, he captained the Buzzers to the OJHL championship and was the league’s top scoring defenseman (9-49—58), as he earned Defenseman of the Year honors and OJHL First Team All-Star accolades.

The Central Division-leading and playoff-bound Griffins will host the Milwaukee Admirals on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Single-game tickets are currently on sale. Fans can secure their full-season, select-season or group ticket packages by calling (616) 774-4585 ext. 2 or visit griffinshockey.com for more information.