GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday released their promotional schedule for the 2013-14 season, highlighted by a variety of giveaways, popular promotional nights and their inaugural outdoor game at Comerica Park. Throughout the year, fans will have opportunities to collect an array of Calder Cup-themed memorabilia as the team celebrates last season’s championship.

The action kicks off when the Griffins host the Milwaukee Admirals on Opening Night presented by Huntington Bank on Friday, Oct. 18. The Griffins’ 18th season at Van Andel Arena will begin with a banner-raising ceremony to recognize the 2013 Calder Cup champions, and the game will be followed by the season’s first post-game open skate. The home opener, as well as all Friday games this season, will feature $2 beers and $2 hot dogs.

Single-game tickets for all 37 regular season home games at Van Andel Arena will go on sale to the general public this Friday, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. Advance ticket prices are $14, $16 and $18 in the arena’s upper level, and $18, $22, $26 and $32 in the lower level. (Additional $2 per ticket on day of game.)

Griffins tickets can always be purchased in advance of game night through the following methods (all purchases subject to a convenience charge):

• In person at The Zone at Van Andel Arena. All fans who visit The Zone between 10 a.m.-6 p.m. this Friday can see the Calder Cup!

• In person at Star Tickets outlets;

• Online through griffinshockey.com/buytickets;

• By phone through Star Tickets at 1-800-585-3737.

On game night, tickets may be purchased without a convenience charge at the Van Andel Arena box office, beginning 90 minutes before game time. Fans who attend multiple games can avoid charges and receive a discount from the single-game price by purchasing a 10- or 20-game partial season package. These plans, along with full-season and group ticket packages, may be ordered through the Griffins’ office at (616) 774-4585 ext. 2.

This season’s premium giveaway schedule provides fans with many opportunities to receive exclusive Griffins memorabilia, including a 2014 team calendar (Nov. 30), Calder Cup championship DVD (Dec. 7), mini championship banner (Dec. 14), Griffins snow globe (Jan. 11), Joakim Andersson bobblehead (Jan. 18), Jeff Hoggan Calder Cup figurine (Feb. 15), Griffins team trading card set (Feb. 22), Petr Mrazek bobblehead (March 29), and Griffins replica championship ring (April 5).

Fans will recognize many key promotional dates including the 13th Annual Matinee Game (Nov. 6), the Teddy Bear Toss (Nov. 29), the inaugural outdoor game at Comerica Park (Dec. 30), the 17th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration (Dec. 31), Salute to Heroes (Feb. 21), the third annual Purple Community Game (March 7), and Star Wars Night (March 8).

The popular Friday night beer and hotdog promotion returns in conjunction with H&R Block College Night for all 16 Friday home games this season, featuring $2 hot dogs and $2 domestic drafts from 6-8 p.m., while supplies last. Free Ride Friday allows fans to enjoy complimentary fare on the Rapid by showing their ticket to that night’s game. Visit ridetherapid.org for schedule information, routes and maps.

Several other recurring promotions will be featured throughout the Griffins’ schedule, including nine Amway Winning Wednesdays, seven post-game open skates, six Huntington Bank post-game autograph sessions with select Griffins players, and six post-game jersey auctions including game-worn home jerseys from the Calder Cup Finals (Oct. 18), Grand Rapids Owls jerseys (Dec. 14), game-worn jerseys from the Dec. 30 outdoor game (Jan. 18), camouflage jerseys (Feb. 21), Van Andel Institute purple jerseys (March 7), and the team’s Friday night jerseys (April 18).

All promotions and dates are subject to change. For more information, visit griffinshockey.com or call (800) 2-HOCKEY.

2013-14 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

Oct. 18: Opening Night presented by Huntington Bank
• $2 Beers and $2 Hot Dogs
• Banner-raising ceremony
• Post-game open skate
• Game-worn Calder Cup Finals jersey auction (post-game)

Nov. 6: 13th Annual Matinee Game
• 11 a.m. start
• Interactive and educational displays throughout the concourse for elementary and high school students

Nov. 29: Teddy Bear Toss presented by J&H Family Stores
• $2 Beers and $2 Hot Dogs

Nov. 30: 2014 Griffins Calendar Giveaway presented by Fox Motors
• Fan 4-pack game

Dec. 7: Championship DVD Giveaway
• Fan 4-pack game
• Huntington Bank post-game autograph session
• Post-game open skate

Dec. 14: Mini Banner Giveaway presented by Centennial Securities
• Fan 4-pack game
• Grand Rapids Owls jersey auction (post-game)
• Huntington Bank post-game autograph session

Dec. 30: Inaugural Outdoor Game at Comerica Park

Dec. 31: 17th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration
• Post-game indoor fireworks show
• Post-game open skate

Jan. 11: Griffins Snow Globe Giveaway presented by Comerica Bank
• Fan 4-pack game
• Huntington Bank post-game autograph session
• Post-game open skate

Jan. 18: Joakim Andersson Bobblehead Giveaway
• Fan 4-pack game
• Outdoor game jersey auction (post-game)

Jan. 18-19: Annual Great Skate Winterfest at Rosa Parks Circle in Downtown Grand Rapids

Feb. 15: Jeff Hoggan Calder Cup Figurine Giveaway presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union
• Fan 4-pack game
• Huntington Bank post-game autograph session

Feb. 21: Salute to Heroes Night
• $2 Beers and $2 Hot Dogs
• Camouflage jersey auction (post-game)

Feb. 22: Griffins Team Trading Card Set Giveaway
• Fan 4-pack game
• Post-game open skate

Mar. 7: Purple Community Game presented by Van Andel Institute
• $2 Beers and $2 Hot Dogs
• Purple jersey auction (post-game)

Mar. 8: Star Wars Night presented by Consumers Energy
• Fan 4-pack game
• Huntington Bank post-game autograph session

Mar. 29: Petr Mrazek Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Michigan Office Solutions
• Fan 4-pack game
• Post-game open skate

Apr. 5: Griffins Replica Championship Ring Giveaway
• Fan 4-pack game
• Huntington Bank post-game autograph session

Apr. 18: Season Finale presented by Huntington Bank
• $2 Beers and $2 Hot Dogs
• Post-game open skate
• Friday Night jersey auction (post-game)

SEASON-LONG PROMOTIONS

$2 Beers and $2 Hot Dogs: Every Friday, enjoy $2 domestic drafts and $2 hot dogs from 6-8 p.m., while supplies last.

Get in the D-ZONE: Every Friday night is a Griffins D-Zone night. Avoid the concession lines and get your $2 beers and $2 hot dogs served to you in your seats. Call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2 or visit griffinshockey.com/dzone to get your tickets today! The D-Zone seven-game pack includes games on Oct. 18, Nov. 15, Dec. 13, Jan. 17, Feb. 14, March 7 and April 18, and the 14-pack includes all Friday games with the exception of Dec. 6 and Jan. 10.

H&R Block College Nights: Every Friday, college students can show their ID to purchase an upper bowl ticket for $13 (or $11 in advance at The Zone) and stop by the McFadden's concourse table to receive a free pass to the post-game party at McFadden's.

Free Ride Friday on The Rapid: Ride the Rapid to and from any Friday game and enjoy a complimentary fare by showing your ticket to that night’s game. Visit ridetherapid.org for schedule information, routes and maps.

Wednesday is Hockey Night: For all Wednesday home games from December through March, show your Griffins ticket at participating Arena District restaurants and bars – including Peppino’s Sports Grille, home of the Griffins’ Wednesday post-game parties with the players – to enjoy Happy Hour specials before the game and Hockey Night specials afterward.

Amway Winning Wednesdays: Every time the Griffins win at home on Wednesday, each fan in attendance will receive a free ticket to the next Wednesday game. Additionally, the first 300 fans to visit the Amway table in Section A will receive a gift.

Sunday is Fun Day!: Every Sunday, enjoy $1 Pepsi drinks and $1 ice cream from 3-5 p.m.

Military Nights: Every home game this season, current members of our military can purchase up to four upper bowl tickets for $13 each (or $11 in advance at The Zone) with a valid military ID. The offer also extends to veterans who present a VA ID or discharge papers.

Library Nights: For every Sunday and Wednesday game, fans can present their Grand Rapids Public Library card or Kent District Library card at the Van Andel Arena box office on the night of the game or at The Zone anytime during the store’s regular business hours to save $7 off the price of a Lower Level Faceoff ticket (regularly $18 in advance and $20 day of game). Limit four tickets per card per person, subject to availability.

Fan 4 Packs: For select games, receive four tickets and $12 in concession cash for a great low price. Valid for games on Nov. 30; Dec. 7 and 14; Jan. 11 and 18; Feb. 15 and 22; March 8 and 29; and April 5. Visit griffinshockey.com/f4p or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2.

Pepsi Reading Goals: Children with Griff’s Reading Goals bookmarks who have completed the required three hours of reading can redeem their bookmark for two free upper level tickets to any of the following games: Bookmark #1 - Nov. 20, 29, and 30; Dec. 11 and 20; Bookmark #2 - Feb. 5 and 23; March 5; and April 2 and 4.

Post-Game Open Skates: Oct. 18; Dec. 7 and 31; Jan. 11; Feb. 22; March 29; and April 18.

Huntington Bank Post-Game Autograph Sessions: Dec. 7 and 14; Jan. 11; Feb. 15; March 8; and April 5.

MOS Corner Office: Presented by Michigan Office Solutions, this section, located on the terrace level above section 118, provides the best seats in the house for groups of up to 30 people, with La-Z-Boy chairs and an array of unprecedented amenities. Call (616) 774-4585.


All promotions and dates subject to change.