GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday signed center Landon Ferraro to an amateur tryout and announced that right wing Willie Coetzee has been reassigned to Grand Rapids by the Detroit Red Wings from the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League.

The two prolific forwards, teammates with Red Deer since 2007, helped the Rebels to a 39-28-0-5 record this season – a 23-point improvement over their 2008-09 campaign – and a WHL playoff berth.

Coetzee, 19, tied for 16th in the WHL with 81 points (29-52—81) in 72 games, pacing Red Deer in points, assists and plus/minus (plus-10) while standing second in goals. A native of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with Detroit on Sept. 18, 2009 after an impressive performance during his stint at the Red Wings’ prospect tournament and training camp. In 2008-09, Coetzee finished second to Ferraro in scoring for Red Deer, totaling 42 points (18-24—42) in 72 contests.

Ferraro, 18, ranked fourth on the Rebels with 46 points (16-30—46) and placed third in assists through 53 games this season. The Trail, British Columbia, native was named Red Deer’s Most Valuable Player in 2008-09 after tying for ninth in the WHL with 37 goals and finishing first on the club with 55 points. The son of long-time NHLer Ray Ferraro, Landon was selected by Detroit with its first pick (32nd overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

After participating in their first practice with the Griffins today, Coetzee and Ferraro will available to make their professional debuts when Grand Rapids hosts the Rochester Americans on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

9 WILLIE COETZEE * Right Wing

Height: 5'10" Weight: 186 Shoots: Right Born: 11/7/90 in Maple Ridge, British Columbia

			Regular Season					Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
2007-08	Cowichan	BCHL	33	5	11	16	19	--	--	--	--	--
	Red Deer	WHL	23	2	0	2	14	--	--	--	--	--
2008-09	Red Deer	WHL	72	18	24	42	42	--	--	--	--	--
2009-10	Red Deer	WHL	72	29	52	81	32	4	1	0	1	0

22 LANDON FERRARO * Center

Height: 6'0" Weight: 171 Shoots: Right Born: 8/8/91 in Vancouver, British Columbia
Drafted: Detroit's 1st choice, 32nd overall, in 2009 NHL Entry Draft

			Regular Season					Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
2006-07	Vancouver NW	Minor-BC	25	21	13	34	77	--	--	--	--	--
	Red Deer	WHL	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
2007-08	Red Deer	WHL	54	13	11	24	65	--	--	--	--	--
2008-09	Red Deer	WHL	68	37	18	55	99	--	--	--	--	--
2009-10	Red Deer	WHL	53	16	30	46	55	3	0	0	0	2