GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins are proud to announce that defenseman Derek Meech has been named the team’s winner of the American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the West Michigan community during the 2006-07 season.

Meech worked more than 12 hours with youth hockey teams this season, attending practices and sharing his knowledge and experiences with young players. He visited Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital on several occasions and served as a post-game host for patients, giving them tours of the Griffins locker room and introducing them to his teammates.

Meech participates in the Griffins’ Charitable Goals program, in which companies partner with a player to donate money to a local charity. Meech is supported by Centennial Securities, which donates $50 for every goal he scores – a total of $300 so far this season – to the Pursuing a Dream Foundation.

In addition, he attended all team community functions this season – including “The Great Skate,” the Griffins versus Sled Wings game at Griff’s IceHouse, and the “Tip-a-Griffin” fundraiser at Gilmore Collection restaurants – and was recently named the team’s Community Player of the Year, a separate award presented by Centennial Securities and Fuel Systems.

In recognition of his efforts, Meech will be presented with an etched crystal trophy during an on-ice presentation prior to an upcoming Griffins home game.

Meech is now one of 27 finalists for the AHL’s 2006-07 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the overall American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year. The league award is named after the former Hershey Bears forward and AHL All-Star who died in 1997 following a 16-month battle with leukemia. The winner of the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award will be announced later this month.