Ahhh, there's nothing like the pleasure of taking in a hockey game at noon on a weekday. The Griffins' traditional matinee game returns Nov. 14, when thousands of kids from across West Michigan will descend on Van Andel Arena for a unique - and fun - educational experience.

Established by the Griffins in November 2001, the traditional matinee game treats local kids to an afternoon of great hockey and a fun learning experience away from the classroom. The first team in the AHL to ever host a weekday matinee contest, Grand Rapids will host its sixth annual “nooner” on Nov. 14 against the Milwaukee Admirals.

In keeping with the educational focus of the event, Lake Michigan Credit Union proudly presents “Building your Future” as the theme for this year’s game. Elementary kids and high school students will flood Van Andel Arena that morning to attend numerous learning presentations, followed by a hockey-filled afternoon with the Griffins.

A career forum will be held for middle and high school students in the arena banquet rooms, where representatives from Lake Michigan Credit Union will speak about financial responsibility. Students will learn about money management, bank accounts and building their credit report, as well as how mortgages and loans work. The session will conclude with a speaker from Junior Achievement.

Meanwhile, elementary kids will be up on the concourse rotating among the featured learning tables, staffed by experts providing brief presentations on their areas of expertise. Among others, The Home Depot will show kids how to build a birdhouse with complimentary kits, Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity will demonstrate how to build a playhouse, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers will educate kids about electricity. All kids will receive a lunch break prior to the start of the hockey game at noon.

The Griffins’ November matinee game continues to receive great support from the community. Nearly 20,000 kids have attended the event over the course of five years, and the average of 3,500 continues to grow each season. With such past themes as “Michigan History,” “American Veterans,” and “Our Government at Work,” education remains the primary focus of this fun field trip. The Grand Rapids tradition has caught on around the AHL, as numerous teams now host their own matinee games.