GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday announced the signing of former University of Michigan center Kevin Lynch to a one-year contract.

The Columbus Blue Jackets’ second pick (56th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Lynch spent the last four years at the University of Michigan, skating in 168 games and tallying 72 points (35-37–72) and 158 penalty minutes. A 6-foot-1, 198-pound native of Grosse Pointe, Mich., Lynch recorded 27 points (10-17–27) in 40 games during the 2012-13 season while serving as an alternate captain.

The 22-year-old helped the Wolverines reach the NCAA Frozen Four title game as a sophomore in the 2010-11 season, losing to Minnesota-Duluth in overtime. During his first three seasons in Ann Arbor, he was a teammate of current Griffins center Luke Glendening.

Before attending Michigan, Lynch skated for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program from 2007-09. He played 63 games for the Under-18 team during the 2008-09 season, recording 24 goals and a matching 24 assists and also winning a gold medal at the 2009 IIHF World U-18 Championship. During the 2007-08 season with the USNTDP Under-17 team, Lynch notched 15 points, posting 11 goals and leading the team with five game-winning tallies.

KEVIN LYNCH * Center

Height: 6’1" Weight: 198 Shoots: Right Born: 4/23/91 in Grosse Pointe, Mich.
Drafted: Columbus’ 2nd choice, 56th overall, in 2009 NHL Entry Draft