GRIFFINS' TITLE DEFENSE BEGINS OCT. 6

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins will raise their 2017 Calder Cup championship banner and begin the defense of their title on Friday, Oct. 6 at Van Andel Arena when the puck drops on the 2017-18 season with Opening Night presented by Huntington Bank. Opening Night is one of six home dates confirmed by the American Hockey League.

The Griffins will host their 21st annual New Year’s Eve game on Sunday, Dec. 31. In addition to accommodating a mite jamboree and Girl Scout Night, Grand Rapids’ home date on Saturday, Jan. 20 will serve as a lead-in to the 2018 Great Skate Winterfest, one of the team’s annual fundraisers for the Griffins Youth Foundation.

The Griffins’ home contest on Saturday., Feb. 10 will welcome Boy Scout Night, while the game on Saturday, Feb. 24 will host a cross-ice jamboree and a Polar Plunge benefiting the Special Olympics.

Saturday, March 3 is the remaining established home date.

Opponents and start times will be revealed later this summer, when the complete schedule for the AHL’s 82nd season is released. The 2017-18 campaign will mark the Griffins’ 17th year of AHL membership and 22nd season overall.

Single-game tickets will go on sale to the public on Sept. 8. 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.

Griffins 2017-18 Guaranteed Home Dates:
Friday, October 6 – 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 31 – 6 p.m.
Saturday, January 20 – 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 10 – 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 24 – 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 3 – 7 p.m.