GRIFFINS WELCOME SPIROS ANASTAS TO COACHING STAFF

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Monday announced the addition of Spiros Anastas to their hockey operations staff as analytics and advanced scouting coach.

Anastas, 27, got his coaching start with Lebanon Valley College, where he served as captain from 2006-10 before transitioning to player/assistant coach in 2009-10 and a volunteer assistant coach in 2010-11. The Mississauga, Ontario, native spent the 2011-12 season as a volunteer assistant/video coach for Western Michigan University, helping the Broncos to their second-ever CCHA championship. Most recently, Anastas served as general manager of the BCHL’s Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

“Spiros is a bright young man whom I hired at Western Michigan University before leaving for Detroit,” said Griffins coach Jeff Blashill. “We feel Spiros can be a great asset to our coaching staff in Grand Rapids and complement assistant coach Jim Paek, video coach Bill LeRoy and the rest of our staff well.”

In his new role, Anastas will be responsible for analyzing statistics for the Griffins and Detroit Red Wings, pre-scouting Griffins opponents, video-scouting potential free agents for the Red Wings, and assisting Blashill in all hockey operations matters.

“I am extremely excited to be joining such a prestigious organization,” said Anastas. “I look forward to the learning experience ahead and am happy to finally be working with Jeff Blashill. I am grateful for this opportunity and thank (Red Wings assistant GM) Jim Nill and Jeff for bringing me in.”