The American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins have gotten the ball rolling on their 30th anniversary celebrations with the unveiling of an anniversary logo.

The Griffins released the logo on their website and social media channels on Tuesday, July 8. The team plans to use the logo at centre ice at the Van Andel Arena all season long, as well as a patch both their home and away jerseys.

“We are extremely excited for the upcoming anniversary season. We are still wondering where the previous 29 glorious years went but are very eager to celebrate many of the great moments from the past. There is tremendous pride in the many accomplishments of this franchise since 1996. While the anniversary logo displays our enthusiasm for the number 30, we are not losing sight of the ferocious Griffin that our fans know and love. We have tons of great things in store for this season and are eager to celebrate with our fans.”

— Tim Goertsma, president, Grand Rapids Griffins

The Griffins also plan to have merchandise with the 30th anniversary logo available later this summer.

The team started in the International Hockey League in 1996, and they were one of six teams to join the AHL in 2001 after the IHL ceased operations (the others were the Chicago Wolves, Houston Aeros, Utah Grizzlies, Milwaukee Admirals and Manitoba Moose). The Griffins first became affiliated with an NHL team in 1999 when they signed an agreement with the Ottawa Senators. They switched affiliations to their fellow Michiganders, the Detroit Red Wings, in 2002. They won the Calder Cup in 2013 and 2017.

The Griffins’ 30th anniversary celebrations begin in earnest on September 21, when Van Andel Arena will host the Red Wings’ annual Red & White Gamewhich wraps up their training camp.