AHL’s GRIFFINS SIGN STRAUB

The Allen Americans have announced that defenseman Brandon Straub has been called up to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League. The Griffins, who are the ‘AAA’ affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, play their home games at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

 Straub, a Colorado Springs, Colorado native, was a mainstay on the Americans blue line during 2009-10. The bruising 6’4” 223 pound defender racked up 200 penalty minutes in 60 games, while registering 2 goals and 5 helpers.

 Prior to coming to the Americans, Straub spent 2008-09 with the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL, where he skated 62 games, racking up 145 penalty minutes.

 “We’re very excited for Brandon, and obviously it is another great opportunity for our organization to see a guy like this to get the opportunity to get called up,” Americans Head Coach and General Manager Dwight Mullins said.

“He’s going to get a legitimate opportunity there, and we’ll see what happens for him over the next 10 days.”

 Straub has previously enjoyed stints in the AHL, first with the Lake Erie Monsters in 2007-08, where he skated 9 games, 2008-09 with the Quad City Flames (four games), and last season with the Houston Aeros (2 games).