GRIFFINS TO SKATE WEDNESDAY AT ROSA PARKS CIRCLE TO KICK OFF "WEDNESDAY IS HOCKEY NIGHT" SEASON IN GRAND RAPIDS

EVENT: "Wednesday is Hockey Night" 2012 Kickoff

DATE: Wednesday, Nov. 28

TIME: 10:45 a.m., with select Grand Rapids Griffins players scheduled to skate from 11-11:20 a.m. (weather permitting)

LOCATION: Rosa Parks Circle Ice Rink

DESCRIPTION: A celebration of how the "Wednesday is Hockey Night" program benefits business and invigorates a weeknight in downtown Grand Rapids, hosted by the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Downtown Alliance and the Arena District.

Downtown Alliance executive director Sharon Evoy, Arena District president Dennis Moosebrugger, and Griffins head coach Jeff Blashill will discuss the impact of the program and the Griffins on downtown Grand Rapids.

To conclude the event, eight members of the Griffins -- captain Jeff Hoggan, Chad Billins, Tomas Jurco, Gustav Nyquist, Nathan Paetsch, Francis Pare, Brendan Smith and Tomas Tatar -- are scheduled to take to the ice for a 20-minute skate, followed by a media availability.

The event is open to the public and all media.

"WEDNESDAY IS HOCKEY NIGHT" PROGRAM DETAILS: For every Wednesday home game from December through March (Dec. 5 and 19, Jan. 23, Feb. 6 and March 13), fans can show their Griffins ticket at 17 Arena District restaurants and bars to enjoy Happy Hour specials before the game and Hockey Night specials afterward. Visit griffinshockey.com/hockeynight for a list of participating establishments.

In support of the program, and in an effort to help reinvigorate another night in downtown Grand Rapids, local businesses have purchased 3,000 Wednesday tickets that will be donated to dozens of West Michigan non-profits and organizations, including Cherry Street Health Services, Dwelling Place, Goodwill, the Grand Rapids Fire Department, the Grand Rapids Police Department, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Heart of West Michigan United Way, Kids' Food Basket, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Mel Trotter Ministries and the Salvation Army.

Wednesday is Hockey Night! from griffinshockey on Vimeo.