January 26, 2015

by Alan Cross – griffinshockey.com
____________________________

Who’s ready for a day and a half of non-stop winter fun?

The Great Skate Winterfest returns to Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids from Saturday, Feb. 7 at noon until Sunday, Feb. 8 at 10 p.m. The event lasts a full 34 hours, featuring an array of winter-themed activities including ice sculpting, sled dogs, winter sports demonstrations, a silent auction and more.

Headlining the Winterfest is the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 13th annual Great Skate, during which every Griffins player and coach will skate for at least one hour around the clock to raise awareness and funds for the Griffins Youth Foundation.

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.

Now in its 20th season, the foundation provides 350 deserving kids – many of whom are underprivileged, at-risk, underserved or have special needs – opportunities to play the great sport of hockey at no cost, along with programs geared toward helping them develop academically, socially and physically. Programs include hockey for first through 12th graders, a girls-only division, as well as the Grand Rapids Sled Wings sled hockey team for kids and teens with physical disabilities.

The 24-hour Great Skate is a wonderful way for the Griffins to directly give back to the Grand Rapids community that so fervently supports them.

A native of Grand Rapids, Griffins equipment manager Brad Thompson understands how important the Griffins Youth Foundation is to West Michigan.

“You know what, it’s great. Growing up, I could only play hockey one year because my mom couldn’t afford it,” said Thompson. “So now that the foundation is around, (it keeps) kids out of trouble, unlike me when I was younger. It’ll keep you straight.”

One of the more popular aspects of the Winterfest is the chance for fans to meet and interact with their favorite Griffins players. The public is encouraged to come skate with any members of the team while enjoying plenty of opportunities for photos and autographs. Admission to the Great Skate Winterfest is free, with a $2 charge to skate ($1 for children) and complimentary skate rental.

For Mitch Callahan, this will mark his fourth straight year participating in the Great Skate, and he has a lot of fond memories from the years past.

“I think that meeting some of the kids in the community and giving back is a wonderful thing. I know the other guys feel good about it too,” said Callahan. “In my rookie year, I was out there at 4 or 5 a.m. Just seeing how many kids were out and having a good time, just happy that we were out there enjoying time with them, was great.”

The primary objective of the event is to raise money for the foundation, so Griffins players take part in a bit of friendly competition to see who can raise the most donations on the team. Many players donate on their own behalf, and everyone relies on the support of their fans, friends, family and the community to bestow them with the ultimate bragging rights.

They have a wide variety of motivations, too.

“I think the fans should support me because the rest of the guys on the team are extremely mean to me and they always make fun of my size,” said the 5-foot-8, 175-pound Miele. “To come out with the most money would be an extreme honor.”

“It’s a great cause. And me being the best-looking guy on the team, it doesn’t hurt,” said veteran defenseman Brennan Evans. “The Euros have a tough time talking, so I hope I can raise more money than people who can’t talk.”

All jokes aside, the Griffins understand the ultimate purpose of the event.

“This is a great sport. I’m biased, but I believe hockey is the greatest game,” said Griffins captain Jeff Hoggan. “Giving everybody an opportunity to play it, that’s what we’re doing here. We’re raising money for kids, and it’s a lot of fun. Come on out, enjoy it and please donate.”

Anthony Mantha, Detroit’s most highly touted prospect in years, is nonetheless certain to be subjected to a late-night or early morning time slot for his skating shift, a tradition for Griffins rookies.

Still, he’s looking forward to interacting with the community, and he understands just how big of an impact this fundraiser has.

“Just having the kids around us and skating with us, it’s huge for everyone in the city, especially for me,” said Mantha. “I’m looking forward to seeing the smiles on people’s faces and just having fun with the guys on the team.”

To sponsor the participation of a Griffins player in the Great Skate Winterfest or to see a full schedule of events, please visit griffinshockey.com/greatskate. Donations will be accepted for up to three months following the event.

January 26, 2015

by Alan Cross – griffinshockey.com
____________________________

Who’s ready for a day and a half of non-stop winter fun?

The Great Skate Winterfest returns to Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids from Saturday, Feb. 7 at noon until Sunday, Feb. 8 at 10 p.m. The event lasts a full 34 hours, featuring an array of winter-themed activities including ice sculpting, sled dogs, winter sports demonstrations, a silent auction and more.

Headlining the Winterfest is the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 13th annual Great Skate, during which every Griffins player and coach will skate for at least one hour around the clock to raise awareness and funds for the Griffins Youth Foundation.

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.

Now in its 20th season, the foundation provides 350 deserving kids – many of whom are underprivileged, at-risk, underserved or have special needs – opportunities to play the great sport of hockey at no cost, along with programs geared toward helping them develop academically, socially and physically. Programs include hockey for first through 12th graders, a girls-only division, as well as the Grand Rapids Sled Wings sled hockey team for kids and teens with physical disabilities.

The 24-hour Great Skate is a wonderful way for the Griffins to directly give back to the Grand Rapids community that so fervently supports them.

A native of Grand Rapids, Griffins equipment manager Brad Thompson understands how important the Griffins Youth Foundation is to West Michigan.

“You know what, it’s great. Growing up, I could only play hockey one year because my mom couldn’t afford it,” said Thompson. “So now that the foundation is around, (it keeps) kids out of trouble, unlike me when I was younger. It’ll keep you straight.”

One of the more popular aspects of the Winterfest is the chance for fans to meet and interact with their favorite Griffins players. The public is encouraged to come skate with any members of the team while enjoying plenty of opportunities for photos and autographs. Admission to the Great Skate Winterfest is free, with a $2 charge to skate ($1 for children) and complimentary skate rental.

For Mitch Callahan, this will mark his fourth straight year participating in the Great Skate, and he has a lot of fond memories from the years past.

“I think that meeting some of the kids in the community and giving back is a wonderful thing. I know the other guys feel good about it too,” said Callahan. “In my rookie year, I was out there at 4 or 5 a.m. Just seeing how many kids were out and having a good time, just happy that we were out there enjoying time with them, was great.”

The primary objective of the event is to raise money for the foundation, so Griffins players take part in a bit of friendly competition to see who can raise the most donations on the team. Many players donate on their own behalf, and everyone relies on the support of their fans, friends, family and the community to bestow them with the ultimate bragging rights.

They have a wide variety of motivations, too.

“I think the fans should support me because the rest of the guys on the team are extremely mean to me and they always make fun of my size,” said the 5-foot-8, 175-pound Miele. “To come out with the most money would be an extreme honor.”

“It’s a great cause. And me being the best-looking guy on the team, it doesn’t hurt,” said veteran defenseman Brennan Evans. “The Euros have a tough time talking, so I hope I can raise more money than people who can’t talk.”

All jokes aside, the Griffins understand the ultimate purpose of the event.

“This is a great sport. I’m biased, but I believe hockey is the greatest game,” said Griffins captain Jeff Hoggan. “Giving everybody an opportunity to play it, that’s what we’re doing here. We’re raising money for kids, and it’s a lot of fun. Come on out, enjoy it and please donate.”

Anthony Mantha, Detroit’s most highly touted prospect in years, is nonetheless certain to be subjected to a late-night or early morning time slot for his skating shift, a tradition for Griffins rookies.

Still, he’s looking forward to interacting with the community, and he understands just how big of an impact this fundraiser has.

“Just having the kids around us and skating with us, it’s huge for everyone in the city, especially for me,” said Mantha. “I’m looking forward to seeing the smiles on people’s faces and just having fun with the guys on the team.”

To sponsor the participation of a Griffins player in the Great Skate Winterfest or to see a full schedule of events, please visit griffinshockey.com/greatskate. Donations will be accepted for up to three months following the event.