GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League on Friday signed goaltender Jordan Pearce to an amateur tryout.

Pearce, 22, also signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings after completing a stellar collegiate career at Notre Dame. As a senior, he set single-season school records with 30 wins, eight shutouts and a 0.931 save percentage (tied), led the nation in wins and shutouts, and also ranked among the country’s best in goals against average (1.68, 2nd) and save percentage (5th).

The Fighting Irish’s career leader in both wins (59) and shutouts (12, tied), Pearce registered a 20-game unbeaten streak from Oct. 31, 2008 to Jan. 17, 2009, going 17-0-3 with three shutouts, a 1.36 GAA and a 0.944 save percentage. He was even better during the CCHA playoffs, posting a 4-0 mark with two shutouts, a 0.75 GAA and a 0.973 save percentage, as Notre Dame followed up its CCHA regular season title with a playoff championship.

A Hobey Baker candidate and CCHA Player of the Year finalist, Pearce bagged a slew of honors this season, including his second-straight team MVP selection, an honorable mention All-CCHA nod, and four CCHA Goaltender of the Week awards. The double-major in anthropology and pre-med with a 3.816 grade-point average also garnered the 2008-09 CCHA Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, following his second-straight selection to the league’s Scholar-Athlete Team. He was also chosen as the CCHA’s top goaltender in 2007-08.

Pearce is expected to dress and back up Jimmy Howard tonight when the Griffins host the Hamilton Bulldogs at 7 p.m. in their final regular season home game.