GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. The Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday announced that they will open the home portion of their 2006-07 schedule on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Van Andel Arena.

In addition, the American Hockey League has confirmed two other traditional games that the Griffins will host next season, including a post-Thanksgiving contest on Friday, Nov. 24, and the 10th annual New Years Eve bash on Sunday, Dec. 31. All three games will face off at 7 p.m. The opponents will be released in the coming weeks along with the complete schedule for the AHLs 71st season, which will begin Oct. 4.

Group tickets for these three games, along with full season, 20-game, 10-game and five-game ticket packages, are available by calling the Griffins at (616) 774-4585 or (800) 2-HOCKEY, ext. 3002. Current ticket specials include the $199 Hot Seat (40 regular season games), plus new price levels of $239 and $299 for full season tickets.

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