Griffins Players to Skate Around the Clock at Rosa Parks Ice Rink

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. The Grand Rapids Griffins will present The Great Skate, a 24-hour skating marathon at the Rosa Parks Ice Rink in downtown Grand Rapids, from 10 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 18, until 10 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19. During this third annual event, every Griffins player and coach will take a turn skating with fans for at least one hour around the clock to raise money for the Grand Rapids Griffins Youth Foundation.

Participants will be able to warm themselves around fire pits and inside a pair of trailers provided by Wolverine Construction and Erhardt Construction, where theyll enjoy coffee, hot chocolate and other refreshments, compliments of Starbucks and Meijer.

There is no fee to participate in The Great Skate, but fans are encouraged to make a donation of any amount to the Griffins Youth Foundation. Fans can have a photo taken with their favorite player and purchase an autographed copy for just $5, and Great Skate T-shirts ($5) and sweatshirts ($10) will also be available.

Following the players allotted skating times, fans will have the opportunity to challenge them to a bubble hockey game for a $5 donation to the foundation. Those who beat a player will win a Great Skate sweatshirt. The event will also feature a raffle that will include a Great Skate jersey signed by every Griffins player and coach.

The mission of the Griffins Youth Foundation is to expand the opportunities for participation in ice skating and related sports and activities, and to encourage academic excellence, community involvement and healthy lifestyles among the youth of West Michigan. The lineup of skaters is as follows (subject to change):

SATURDAY, DEC. 18

10-11 p.m. - Griff
11 p.m.-Midnight - Peter Vandermeer

SUNDAY, DEC. 19

Midnight-1 a.m. - Matt Ellis
1-2 a.m. - Eric Manlow
2-4 a.m. - Todd Jackson, Brett Lebda, Derek Meech
4-6 a.m. - Danton Cole, Greg Ireland
6-7 a.m. - Eric Himelfarb
7-8 a.m. - Drew MacIntyre
8-9 a.m. - Blake Sloan
9-10 a.m. - Kory Karlander
10-11 a.m. - Ryan Barnes
11 a.m.-Noon - Travis Richards
Noon-1 p.m. - Bryan Helmer
1-2 p.m. - Joey MacDonald
2-3 p.m. - Niklas Kronwall
3-4 p.m. - Darryl Bootland
4-5 p.m. - Danny Groulx
5-6 p.m. - Nathan Robinson
6-7 p.m. - Ernie Hartlieb
7-8 p.m. - Paul Ballantyne
8-9 p.m. - Todd Robinson
9-10 p.m. - Tomas Kopecky

For sponsorship and additional event information, please call (616) 774-4585 ext. 3027.