GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday signed forward Gustav Nyquist (GUHS-tav NEW-kwihst) to an amateur tryout.

The 21-year-old Nyquist, the Detroit Red Wings’ third choice (121st overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, was recently named a Hobey Baker Award top-10 finalist for the second straight year following his junior season at the University of Maine.

Born in Halmstad, Sweden, Nyquist led the Black Bears and tied for second in Hockey East and seventh nationally with 51 points (18-33—51) in 36 games. Maine’s assistant captain was named to the Hockey East First Team for the second year in a row, as he became the first player since Steve Kariya (1996-99) to lead the Black Bears in scoring for three consecutive seasons.

In 2009-10, Nyquist was named to the Hobey Baker Hat Trick as one of the top three players in college hockey and chosen as a First Team All-American. He led the nation in scoring with 61 points (19-42—61) in 39 games while tying for first with 42 assists.

A Hockey East All-Rookie Team selection in 2008-09, Nyquist became the first freshman to lead Maine in scoring since Paul Kariya (1992-93), as he paced the team with 13 goals, 19 assists and 32 points.

Nyquist, an economics major, was nominated this season for the Dean Smith Award as Maine’s top-scholar athlete, and he has twice been named a Maine Scholar-Athlete Award winner and to the Hockey East Academic Honor Roll.

Nyquist becomes the third Hobey Baker finalist on Grand Rapids’ current roster, joining goalie David Brown (2007 Notre Dame) and defenseman Brendan Smith (2010 Wisconsin). He will be available to make his pro debut tonight when the Griffins visit the Texas Stars at 8:30 p.m. EDT.