GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - With the AHL's clear day deadline having already passed, the Grand Rapids Griffins public relations department on Friday announced an important roster addition for the 2010-11 season.

Baby Rice is expected to join the Griffins' family on Oct. 14, one day before the team's anticipated home opener. Should he/she emulate Papa Rice, Baby will have soft hands, quick feet, a deceptively hard shot, a keen grasp of the English language and a large videoboard following.

Reports suggest Baby is already taller than Papa, but those are unconfirmed. Attempts to reach Baby have been unsuccessful, outside of the ultrasound performed on Thursday, although the burgeoning bundle of joy is already making its presence known to Mama Rice every morning.

While the timing of the little one's arrival is sure to cause something between mild panic and extreme chaos within Grand Rapids' PR ranks, the celebration of Baby's first season will coincide nicely with that of the Griffins' 15th.

For more information or to extend congratulations, please contact Papa at (616) 774-4585 ext. 3026 or rrice@griffinshockey.com.