GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday signed center Zack Torquato (tohr-KWAH-toh) to an amateur tryout.

Torquato, 18, comes to the Griffins from the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, where he ranked second on the team in both assists (42) and points (67) and placed third with 25 goals in 66 games this season. Detroit’s fourth pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Torquato has averaged just over a point per game during his last two OHL campaigns.

The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, native split the 2006-07 season between Saginaw and Erie, totaling 69 points (30-39—69) in 65 games to lead the Otters in scoring and earn the team’s most valuable player award. Torquato, who participated in the 2007 OHL All-Star Classic, played for Team Canada at the 2007 U18 World Championship in Finland and helped his country to a gold medal at the 2006 U18 Junior World Cup in the Czech Republic.

Torquato will be available to make his AHL debut on Wednesday when the Griffins host the Toronto Marlies at 7 p.m.