GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins will open the home portion of their 2011-12 schedule on Friday, Oct. 14 at Van Andel Arena, highlighting six home dates that have been confirmed by the American Hockey League.

Grand Rapids will also host its 15th annual New Year’s Eve bash on Saturday, Dec. 31 and its traditional post-Thanksgiving affair on Friday, Nov. 25, along with Saturday games on Nov. 5, Dec. 3 and Jan. 21.

Start times and opponents will be announced later this summer, when the full 76-game slate for the AHL’s 76th season is released. It will mark the Griffins’ 11th year of AHL membership and 16th season overall.

Group tickets for these six games are now on sale along with 2011-12 season ticket packages. Single-game tickets will go on sale to the public in September. For more information, go to griffinshockey.com or call the Griffins office at (616) 774-4585.