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YOUTHFUL TRIO JOIN GRIFFINS

Mar 31, 2009

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday announced that center Brent Raedeke (RAD-eh-kee) has been assigned by the Detroit Red Wings to the American Hockey League Club, which today also signed forwards Zack Torquato (tohr-KWAH-toh) and Dan Charleston to amateur tryouts.

Raedeke, 18, attended Detroit’s training camp last fall as a free agent and was signed to a three-year entry-level contract by the Red Wings. He recently completed his second season with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League, placing among the team’s leaders with 19 goals (T3rd), 36 assists (T2nd) and 55 points (T3rd). The Regina, Saskatchewan, native also tied for the club lead with two points (1-1—2) in four playoff games.

Torquato, 19, logged 11 games with the Griffins late last season, scoring his first pro goal on March 30, 2008 at Chicago. Detroit’s fourth choice in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, he served his second season as captain of the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters, pacing the club with 29 goals and finishing among the team leaders with 34 assists (4th) and 63 points (3rd). The native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, also led the Otters with six points and four assists through five postseason contests.

Charleston, 24, capped off his senior year at the University of Nebraska-Omaha by ranking among the Maverick’s leaders with 27 points (2nd), 18 assists (3rd), 73 PIM (2nd) and 122 shots (1st). The Oak Forest, Ill., native compiled 116 points (43-73—116) through 159 games during his college career.

All three players are expected to practice with the team on Wednesday and be available to play this Friday, when the Griffins begin a crucial two-game road set against the Hamilton Bulldogs in their battle for second place in the North Division. Faceoff at Copps Coliseum is set for 7:30 p.m.


46 DAN CHARLESTON * Forward

Height
: 5'9" Weight: 190 Shoots: Left Born: 11/27/84 in Oak Forest, Ill.

Regular Season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A PTS PIM GP G A PTS PIM
2001-02 Green Bay USHL 27 1 6 7 27 4 0 0 0 2
2002-03 Chicago USHL 59 12 36 48 86 -- -- -- -- --
2003-04 Chicago USHL 59 24 34 58 92 5 0 1 1 29
2004-05 Chicago USHL 25 5 13 18 32 8 1 2 3 22
2005-06 Nebraska-Omaha CCHA 39 8 11 19 60 -- -- -- -- --
2006-07 Nebraska-Omaha CCHA 41 14 19 33 26 -- -- -- -- --
2007-08 Nebraska-Omaha CCHA 40 12 25 37 62 -- -- -- -- --
2008-09 Nebraska-Omaha CCHA 39 9 18 27 73 -- -- -- -- --


14 BRENT RAEDEKE * Center

Height: 6'0" Weight: 197 Shoots: Left Born: 5/29/90 in Regina, Saskatchewan

Regular Season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A PTS PIM GP G A PTS PIM
2007-08 Edmonton WHL 72 15 16 31 62 -- -- -- -- --
2008-09 Edmonton WHL 70 19 36 55 80 4 1 1 2 6


37 ZACK TORQUATO * Center

Height
: 6'0" Weight: 198 Shoots: Right Born: 6/8/89 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Drafted: Detroit's 4th choice, 178th overall, in 2007 NHL Entry Draft

Regular Season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A PTS PIM GP G A PTS PIM
2005-06 Saginaw OHL 65 19 18 37 56 4 1 0 1 6
2006-07 Saginaw OHL 22 10 13 23 24 -- -- -- -- --
Erie OHL 43 20 26 46 69 -- -- -- -- --
2007-08 Erie OHL 66 25 42 67 112 -- -- -- -- --
Grand Rapids AHL 11 1 0 1 8 -- -- -- -- --
2008-09 Erie OHL 66 29 34 63 78 5 2 4 6 11
GRIFFINS/AHL/PRO TOTALS 11 1 0 1 8 -- -- -- -- --