GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Appearances by Michigan sports heroes Kirk Gibson, Charlie Sanders and Ken Morrow highlight the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 2009-10 promotional schedule that was announced on Friday.

The festivities begin on Friday, Oct. 23 with the Opening Night Celebration presented by Comcast, the start of an unprecedented three-game opening weekend at Van Andel Arena and the anticipated extension of the Griffins’ remarkable 13-year opening-night sellout streak.

Single-game tickets for the home opening weekend, along with all 40 of the Griffins’ regular season home games at Van Andel Arena, will go on sale to the general public this Saturday, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. Ticket prices are $13, $15 and $17 in the arena’s upper bowl, and $17, $20, $25 and $30 in the lower bowl. For Sunday-Thursday games, a limited number of advanced purchase, upper bowl tickets will also go on sale for just $5 one week prior to the contest.

Griffins tickets can be purchased in advance of game night through the following methods (all purchases subject to a convenience charge):

• In person at The Zone at Van Andel Arena;
• In person at Star Tickets outlets, including all Meijer stores;
• Online through a link at griffinshockey.com;
• By phone through Star Tickets at 1-800-585-3737.

On game night, tickets may be purchased without a convenience charge at the Van Andel Arena box office, beginning 90 minutes before game time. Fans who attend multiple games can avoid charges and receive a discount from the single-game price by purchasing a 10- or 20-game mini plan. These plans, along with full season and group ticket packages, may be ordered through the Griffins’ office at (800) 2-HOCKEY.

A trio of Michigan sports heroes will visit Van Andel Arena this season to meet and sign autographs for Griffins fans. Former Detroit Lions tight end Charlie Sanders, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2007, the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s and a seven-time Pro Bowler, kicks off the series on Nov. 14, when the first 1,500 kids ages 12 and younger will receive a Griffins autograph-panel football.

On Jan. 30, just weeks before the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the Griffins will welcome Ken Morrow for Hockey Day in Michigan. The Flint native was a member of the U.S. “Miracle on Ice” team in 1980 and subsequently won four consecutive Stanley Cups as a defenseman with the New York Islanders, becoming the first player in history to win an Olympic gold medal and Lord Stanley’s Cup in the same year.

The series will conclude on Feb. 6 with Kirk Gibson, who helped the Detroit Tigers claim their last World Series title in 1984 with his memorable three-run homer off San Diego’s Goose Gossage in Game 5. Gibson then hit one of the most dramatic home runs in World Series history as a member of the 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers. In his only plate appearance of the series, an injury-hobbled Gibson took Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley deep for a walk-off homer in Game 1, sparking the Dodgers to the championship and capping off his lone MVP season.

The Griffins’ celebrity docket also includes a previously announced appearance by Alex Meraz, star of the upcoming The Twilight Saga: New Moon, on Dec. 12.

Giveaways for 2009-10 include glow mugs (Oct. 23), posters (Oct. 24), winter hats (Dec. 5), calendars (Dec. 31), youth jerseys (Jan. 16), Jonathan Ericsson bobbleheads (Jan. 22), fan vote bobbleheads (March 6), and beach towels (March 27), along with a series of five Jersey Card Nights (Jan. 15, Jan. 30, Feb. 19, March 5, March 26) featuring trading cards of Griffins players that have a piece of a game-worn sweater inserted into the card.

Other key promotional dates include the Ninth Annual Matinee Game presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union (Nov. 11), the Teddy Bear Toss (Nov. 27), and the Griffins’ 13th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration.

The popular Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs promotion returns for all 16 Friday home games this season, allowing fans to enjoy $1 hot dogs and $1 domestic drafts from 6-8 p.m., while supplies last. Several other recurring promotions will also be featured throughout the Griffins’ schedule, including Winning Wednesdays, Super Sundays with $1 concession specials and player card strip giveaways, 15 post-game skates, and 10 post-game autograph sessions with Griffins players.

All promotions and dates are subject to change. For more information, visit griffinshockey.com or call (800) 2-HOCKEY.

2009-10 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

Oct. 23: Opening Night Celebration presented by Comcast
• Glow Mugs to the first 5,000 fans
• Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs

Oct. 24: Poster Giveaway
• First 2,500 fans

Nov. 11: Ninth Annual Matinee Game presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union
• Science and technology theme for elementary and high school students

Nov. 14: Detroit Lions Hall of Famer Charlie Sanders
• Appearance by the former Lions tight end, Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2007
• Griffins autograph-panel footballs to the first 1,500 kids ages 12 and younger

Nov. 27: Teddy Bear Toss for charity
• Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs

Dec. 5: Scout Night/Winter Hat Giveaway (2,500 fans*) presented by Comerica Bank

Dec. 12: Twilight Night with Alex Meraz, aka “Paul” from The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Dec. 31: 13th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration/Griffins Calendar Giveaway presented by Fox Motors
• Griffins jerseys designed by Chad B. Stilson, will be worn by the players and auctioned off following the game to benefit Grand Valley State University's club roller hockey team.

Jan. 15: Jersey Card Giveaway #1 presented by Centennial Securities
• Jersey card to the first 1,500 fans
• Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs

Jan. 16: Faith & Family Night/Youth Jersey Giveaway presented by Bethany Christian Services and Appletree Christian Learning Centers
• Youth jerseys to the first 2,000 kids ages 12 and younger

Jan. 22: ‘80s Night/Jonathan Ericsson Bobblehead Giveaway (2,500 fans*) presented by Great Lakes Dodge
• Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs

Jan. 30: Hockey Day in Michigan with “Miracle on Ice” Olympic Champion Ken Morrow/Jersey Card Giveaway #2
• National anthem sung by the Red Wings’ own Karen Newman
• Jersey card to the first 1,500 fans
• Griffins jerseys designed by Brian Oesch, will be worn by the players and auctioned off following the game to benefit the Grand Rapids Griffins Youth Foundation.

Jan. 30-31: Annual Great Skate Winterfest at Rose Parks Circle in Downtown Grand Rapids

Feb. 6: Detroit Tigers Legend Kirk Gibson

Feb. 19: Jersey Card Giveaway #3 presented by J & H Family Stores
• Jersey card to the first 1,500 fans
• Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs

March 5: Jersey Card Giveaway #4 presented by Centennial Securities
• Jersey card to the first 1,500 fans
• Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs

March 6: Fan Vote Bobblehead Giveaway (2,500 fans*) presented by Great Lakes Chrysler/Jeep
• Star Wars Night

March 26: Jersey Card Giveaway #5 presented by Chemical Bank
• Jersey card to the first 1,500 fans
• Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs

March 27: Spring Break Party/Beach Towel Giveaway (2,500 fans*)

April 9: Season Finale Celebration presented by Great Lakes Chrysler/Jeep
• Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs

SEASON-LONG PROMOTIONS

Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs: Every Friday, enjoy $1 hot dogs and $1 domestic drafts from 6-8 p.m., while supplies last.

Winning Wednesday: Every time the Griffins win at home on Wednesday, each fan in attendance will receive a free ticket to the next Wednesday game. Meet the team and coaches at the post-game party at Ritz Koney Bar & Grille.

Super Sundays: Every Sunday, enjoy $1 Cole’s Breadsticks and $1 Pepsi products until one hour after the start of the game. Also, the first 1,000 kids ages 12 and younger will receive a Griffins player card strip, courtesy of Play N Trade Alpine.

Fan 4-Packs: For select games, receive four tickets and $12 in concession cash for a great low price. Valid for games on Oct. 25; Nov. 14; Dec. 27 and 31; Jan. 3 and 17; Feb. 21; and March 27. Visit griffinshockey.com/f4p or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2.

College Nights presented by McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon: Every Friday home game, college students can show their ID to purchase a lower bowl ticket for $10 (regular price $17) and stop by the McFadden's concourse table to receive a free pass to the post-game party at McFadden's.

Library Nights: For every Sunday and Wednesday home game, fans who present their Grand Rapids Public Library card or Kent District Library card at the Van Andel Arena box office on the night of the game or at The Zone anytime during the store’s regular business hours can purchase a lower bowl ticket for just $10 - a savings of $7! Limit four tickets per card per person.

Post-Game Skates: Oct. 23 and 25; Nov. 6, 14 and 27; Dec. 5, 12, 27 and 31; Jan. 3 and 17; Feb. 6; March 6 and 27; April 9

Post-Game Autograph Sessions: Oct. 24; Nov. 6 and 14; Dec. 5 and 26; Jan. 16 and 29; Feb. 6; March 6 and 27

* Guaranteed Giveaway Night for all full-season ticket holders in attendance.

All promotions and dates subject to change.