The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team that plays in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their home ice stadium is at the Van Andel Arena located downtown. They are the third incarnation of a professional hockey team to call the Grand Rapids area home. The first two hockey teams based in this area were the Rockets of the 1950’s and the Owls of the 1970’s. 

The team was created in 1996 when they joined the IHL (International Hockey League) and then merged into the AHL (American Hockey League) in 2001. The franchise played without an NHL affiliate for several years before signing a deal with the Ottawa Senators from 1999-2002. 

In 2002 the Griffins signed an agreement to become the AHL affiliate team for the Detroit Red Wings. 165 players who have worn the Griffins jersey have played in the NHL as of the 2017 season.  The 2012-2013 season was a historic era for the Griffins. They finished first in their division in the regular season and were the third-seeded team in the Western Conference for the playoffs. They defeated Houston three games to two in the first round of playoff action. They then took Toronto four games to two in the second round, and Oklahoma City four games to three in the third round of the tournament. The Griffins faced off against the Syracuse Crunch in the final round.  On June 18th, 2013 Grand Rapids would claim the Calder Cup with a 2-5 victory in game six at Oncenter War Memorial Arena in Syracuse, New York. This is the first time the Grand Rapids Griffins have won the Calder Cup since it was originally awarded in 1937.

The Griffins won a second Calder Cup in 2017.

Nick Jensen is a professional ice hockey player who plays for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. He previously played for the Grand Rapids Griffins.