Griffins June/July 2025 News
Photo Credit: Nicolas Carrillo
Here’s a quick shot of some of the Grand Rapids Griffins news you may have missed in June and the first half of July 2025.
Community Outreach
In June, the Griffins announced that $531,912 was raised for charity during the 2024-25 season. From jersey auctions to the Great Skate Winterfest, Griffins fans shelled out 100s of thousands of dollars to help support foundations and charities throught Western Michigan.
To learn more about Grand Rapids’ community initiatives and fundraisers during the 2024-25 season, click here.
On June 23rd and 25th, the Griffins held their 17th annual “Lids at the Library” where 200 bike helmets were distributed to children ages 1-12. Over the past 21 years, the “Put A Lid On It” program has worked with local organizations to “encourage helmet usage during wheeled sports, prevent head injuries, and reward kids who wear their helmets.”
Former Griffins in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs
With the Florida Panthers win over the Edmonton Oilers, forward Tomas Nosek became the 21st former Griffins player or coach to have his name added to the Stanley Cup.
Florida’s assistant General Manager Brett Peterson became the fourth person to win two Stanley Cups after leaving Grand Rapids.
This was the sixth year in a row that a former Griffin will have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.
Of the 16 teams in the playoffs, 13 of them had a former Griffin as part of their team as a plater, coach, or hockey operations staff.
Jared Bednar - Head Coach - Colorado Avalanche
Jeff Blashill - Assistant Coach - Tampa Bay Lightning
Bruce Cassidy - Head Coach - Vegas Golden Knights
Chris Cichocki - Pro Scout - Edmonton Oilers
Dennis Cholowski - New Jersey Devils
Luke Glendening - Tampa Bay Lightning
Mattias Janmark - Edmonton Oilers
Calle Järnkrok -Toronto Maple Leafs
Nick Jenson - Ottawa Senators
Dylan McIlrath - Washington Capitals
Mark Mowers - Pro Scout - Minnesota Wild
Jim Nill - GM - Dallas Stars
Tomas Nosek - Florida Panthers
Gustav Nyquist - Minnesota Wild
Brett Peterson - Assistant GM - Florida Panthers
Michel Picard - Amateur Scout - St. Louis Blues
Calvin Pickard - Edmonton Oilers
Stacy Roest - Assistant GM/ Director of Player Development - Tampa Bay Lightning
Jeff Salajko - Head of Goalie Scouting and Development - Edmonton Oilers
Brad Shaw - Assistant Athletic Therapist - Winnipeg Jets
Brendan Smith - Dallas Stars
Andrew Stegehuis - Equipment Assistant - Dallas
Tomas Tatar - New Jersey Devils
Accolades
Grand Rapids General Manager Shawn Horcoff added another accolade to his resume.
On July 12th, 2025, Horcoff was inducted into the BC Hockey League Hall of Fame. He played one season in the BCHL (95-96), but made a lot of noise tallying a league-high 245 points in 58 games with the Chilliwack Chiefs. Horcoff was also voted as the co-winner of the Vern Dye Memorial Trophy at the end of the 1995-96 season.
The Griffins staff received a few awards at this year’s AHL business meetings and AHL’s Awards Gala.
The digital media team was recognized with the Western Conference Award of Excellence for Digital Media.
Grand Rapids garnered 1,141 attributed subscribers to AHLTV on FloHockey. This was the second most in the AHL.
Upcoming Events
Announced in June were the below upcoming events in July and August.
July 21-25 - Youth Hockey Camp at Griff’s Georgetown in Hudsonville
For ages 6-14, the Hudsonville camp runs from 9am - 2:30pm from July 21-25 and will be instructed by right wing Dominik Shine. The cost is $400.
Click here for more information or to register for the camp.
August 11 - 15th - Youth Hockey Camp at Griff’s Icehouse West in Holland
For ages 6-14, the Holland Camp runs from 10am - 2pm from August 11 - 15 and will be instructed by right wing Dominik Shine. The cost is $350.
Click here for more information or to register for the camp.
August 18 - Grand Rapids Griffins Youth Foundation Golf Classic
The golf classic serves as the primary fundraiser for the Griffins Youth Foundation
Per the press release : “There will be a morning and afternoon shotgun start, beginning at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively. The scramble-format classic includes lunch; 18 holes of premier golf with a cart; on-course food provided by Buffalo Wild Wings, Johnsonville, Mancino’s, Kilwins, Mission BBQ, and Fry Daddy’s; beverages provided by Pepsi, Budweiser, and Aquafina; contest holes; and the opportunity to win an array of prizes through a raffle and auction.”
To register your foursome and learn more about the event, click here.
August 23rd and 24th - Grand River Shootout
The “Put A Lid On It” program will be involved with the Grand River Shootout at the Ionia Grand Prix (Aug 23) and Gaslight Criterium (Aug 24)
Both events will include free races for younger kids – 5 p.m. on Aug. 23 and 1:25 p.m. on Aug. 24 – as well as sanctioned junior races for boys and girls from ages 9-18.
For more information, please visit the Grand River Shootout Facebook page.
