GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday signed forward Chad Hillebrand to a professional tryout from the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye.  

Hillebrand, a second-year pro, made his Griffins debut on Dec. 10 against Milwaukee and showed two penalty minutes and a plus-one rating. Hillebrand has 13 points (7-6—13), six penalty minutes and a plus-seven rating in 22 games with Toledo this season. He ranks among the Walleye leaders in points (T4th), goals (T3rd) and plus-minus rating (T2nd). Last campaign, the Park Ridge, Illinois, native had four points (2-2—4) and 34 penalty minutes in 21 games with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles. Also in 2024-25, Hillebrand added four points (1-3—4) and four penalty minutes with the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies. Prior to turning pro, the 26-year-old spent four seasons at Western Michigan University from 2020-24 and amassed 52 points (17-35—52), 95 penalty minutes and a plus-31 rating in 109 appearances. Hillebrand also logged two seasons in the USHL from 2018-20, showing 46 points (24-22—46), 80 penalty minutes and a plus-22 rating in 97 career outings. 

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. Single-game tickets for the Griffins’ 2025-26 season can be purchased through griffinshockey.com/tickets.

Photo by Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins