Start Me Up

>With the ever-increasing likelihood of an NHL work stoppage, Griffins-to-be might not have their usual opportunity to attend a Detroit Red Wings training camp in Traverse City .>

>So, instead of opening their AHL camp in Grand Rapids on Oct. 4 (as otherwise scheduled), the Griffins will get an early jump on preparations by taking to the ice on Wednesday, Sept. 29. Keep an eye on griffinshockey.com for practice times as they become available.

> The Griffins will get their first real taste of action during an intersquad scrimmage with the Cleveland Barons on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at The Summit in Dimondale , Mich. , located off I-96 at exit 98B near Lansing . Tickets are just $5 for adults and $3 for kids 18 and younger. Get them at the door that night or call 517-319-1000 .

> Grand Rapids ’ subsequent preseason schedule will consist of a pair of road games, beginning with an Oct. 7 tilt against the Chicago Wolves. Game time is set for 8 p.m. EDT at West Meadows Ice Arena in Rolling Meadows , Ill. The abbreviated slate will conclude the following night versus the defending Calder Cup champion Milwaukee Admirals, with an 8 p.m. EDT faceoff at the Wilson Park Ice Arena in Milwaukee .>

>Among those expected to participate in Grand Rapids’ training camp are goaltenders Joey MacDonald and Drew MacIntyre, defensemen Paul Ballantyne, Danny Groulx, Bryan Helmer, Niklas Kronwall, Brett Lebda, Derek Meech and Travis Richards, and forwards Darryl Bootland, Matt Ellis, Eric Himelfarb, Jiri Hudler, Todd Jackson, Tomas Kopecky, Eric Manlow, Nathan Robinson and Peter Vandermeer