"THE GREAT SKATE" RETURNS THIS WEEKEND

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins and Comcast will present “The Great Skate,” a 24-hour skating marathon at Rosa Parks Ice Rink in downtown Grand Rapids, from 10 p.m. this Saturday, Jan. 12, until 10 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13. During this sixth annual event, every Griffins player and coach will take a turn skating with fans for at least one hour around the clock to raise money for the Griffins Youth Foundation.

Participants will be able to warm themselves around fire pits and inside a warming tent, where they’ll enjoy coffee, hot chocolate and other refreshments, compliments of Starbucks, Meijer and Red Bull. Supporting sponsors of The Great Skate also include Comerica Bank, Dean’s Foods, Warner Norcross & Judd, Centennial Securities, Founders Bank & Trust, Fox Motors, Executive Coach Service and The Gilmore Collection.

Highlights of the event include the participation of nearly 30 “celebrity skaters,” representing more than a dozen local media outlets; a visit from the John Ball Zoo’s winter animals from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday; and raffles of hockey memorabilia, including a Detroit Red Wings jersey autographed by the 2007-08 team.

There is no fee to participate in The Great Skate, but fans are encouraged to make a donation of any amount to the Griffins Youth Foundation. Those donating at least $5 will receive a voucher for two free upper bowl tickets to a Griffins game.

Established in 1995, the Griffins Youth Foundation promotes academic excellence, community involvement and healthy lifestyles among the youth of West Michigan, enhancing their lives through hockey and ice-related sports. For more information about the foundation or the event, visit griffinskids.org.

The current lineup of Griffins skaters is as follows (subject to change):

Saturday, Jan. 12 – 10-11 p.m.: Griff; 11 p.m.-Midnight: Adam Keefe and Jamie Tardif; Sunday, Jan. 13 – Midnight-1 a.m.: Darren Helm and Jakub Kindl; 1-2 a.m.: Head coach Mike Stothers; 2-4 a.m.: Assistant coach Jim Paek; 4-6 a.m.: Logan Koopmans; 6-7 a.m.: Neil Clark; 7-8 a.m.: Mattias Ritola; 8-9 a.m.: Jonathan Ericsson; 9-10 a.m.: Ryan Oulahen; 10-11 a.m.: Garrett Stafford; 11 a.m.-Noon: Kyle Quincey; Noon-1 p.m.: Jimmy Howard; 1-2 p.m.: Jon Insana; 2-3 p.m.: Mark Cullen; 3-4 p.m.: Carl Corazzini; 4-5 p.m.: Adam Berkhoel; 5-6 p.m.: Mark Hartigan; 6-7 p.m.: Brett Engelhardt; 7-8 p.m.: Randall Gelech; 8-9 p.m.: Evan McGrath; 9-10 p.m.: Tom Galvin.

Click here for a flyer about The Great Skate.