MEECH DEPARTS, GALVIN SIGNS

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Thursday signed defenseman Tom Galvin to a two-year contract and bid farewell to defenseman Derek Meech, who returned to the Detroit Red Wings following his two-week conditioning stint.

Galvin, 28, has distinguished himself as one of the Griffins’ most reliable and productive defensemen this season while playing under a pair of professional tryouts. The fourth-year pro from Notre Dame has appeared in 37 games, tying for the team lead with a plus-eight rating and ranking third among Grand Rapids’ blueliners with 12 assists and 13 points.

In 78 Griffins contests over the last two seasons, Galvin has contributed 20 points (1-19—20) with 54 penalty minutes and a sparkling plus-15 rating. His plus-7 mark last season placed third overall on the club.

Meech, 23, has recorded six shots and averaged 9:01 in ice time during nine games with the Red Wings this season. He made his NHL debut last year in four games with the parent club, recording a plus-one rating and two penalty minutes.

Detroit’s seventh choice, 229th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Meech scored one power play goal and notched an assist in six games with the Griffins, climbing into 10th place on Grand Rapids’ all-time games played list with 230. His 65 career points (17-48—65) place him fifth all-time among Griffins defensemen.