GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins’ front office earned several honors from the American Hockey League during recent league meetings in Pittsburgh and Hilton Head Island, S.C.

The Griffins were recognized during the Board of Governors’ Annual Meeting in Hilton Head Island for outstanding fan experience at home games, marking the second time Grand Rapids has earned the distinction (2009-10).

At the league’s marketing meeting held in Pittsburgh in June, the Griffins were the recipient of a pair of accolades. “Marvel Superhero Night” presented by Marvel Universe Live! and Eikenhout, Inc. held on March 26 earned the unique ticket sales promotion or theme night award, while the Griffins’ “Media Room Makeover” sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance was distinguished as the unique sponsorship package or entitlement.

AHL Release

These league awards complement the myriad Team Achievement and Personal Achievement awards garnered by the Griffins’ front office during the marketing meeting.

Grand Rapids earned Team Achievement awards for:

• Achieving 550 new FSE (full season ticket equivalent) sales;
• Achieving a 90% full season ticket renewal rate;
• Achieving an average of 1,750 group tickets per game.

Griffins’ staffers who claimed Personal Achievement Awards include:

• Season ticket sales account executive Peter Van Dame, who ranked first in the AHL’s Western Conference in new FSE sales;
• Former season ticket sales account executive Tara Boliard, who ranked second in the Western Conference in new FSE sales. Behind Van Dame and Boliard’s efforts, the Griffins ranked one-two in new FSE sales in the Western Conference for the second consecutive season;
• Group sales account manager Zack Krywyj, who placed third in group sales in the Western Conference.

Grand Rapids finished the 2015-16 season ranking fifth in the AHL with an average attendance of 8,543, its largest since the 1999-2000 season (8,819). The Griffins realized an average attendance increase at Van Andel Arena for the sixth consecutive year and the ninth time in the last 10 years.

The Griffins will begin the home portion of their 2016-17 season with Opening Night presented by Huntington Bank on Friday, Oct. 14 at Van Andel Arena. Additional home dates confirmed by the American Hockey League include Dec. 31, Jan. 7, Jan. 21, Feb. 4 and Feb. 25.

Single-game tickets will go on sale to the public in September. 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.