MARCUS CRAWFORD JOINS GRIFFINS

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday signed defenseman Marcus Crawford to a two-year contract. Crawford also signed an amateur tryout and will join the Griffins for the remainder of this season.

Crawford, 21, appeared in 68 games with the Ontario Hockey League’s Saginaw Spirit this season and posted career highs in points (53), goals (13), assists (40) and penalty minutes (53). He placed second on the club in scoring while pacing the team in assists, shots (228) and power play goals (7). The 5-foot-11, 190-pound blueliner ranked among the league’s top defensemen in points (6th), goals (T7th), assists (7th), shots (3rd), power play goals (T4th) and game-winning goals (5, 2nd). He added 10 PIM in four postseason appearances.

During the 2016-17 campaign, Crawford ranked fifth on the Spirit and second among team defensemen in scoring with 39 points (6-33—39).

A native of Ajax, Ontario, Crawford has spent the last four seasons (2014-18) in Saginaw, totaling 149 points (23-126—149) and 174 PIM in 252 outings. He was teammates with current Griffins blueliner Filip Hronek in 2016-17.

Crawford appeared in 52 contests with the Whitby Fury of the Ontario Junior Hockey League during the 2013-14 season and led all team defensemen with eight goals while placing third with 21 points. Crawford also skated in a pair of games with the Fury in 2012-13.

The Griffins continue their playoff push and head to Arizona on Friday and Saturday to play the Pacific Division-leading Tucson Roadrunners. Both games will start at 10:05 p.m. EDT.

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.