City of Rockford, Mich., changes name to “Griffinville” for next two weeks

By @MichaelCaples –

When the puck drops on the Grand Rapids Griffins vs. Rockford (Ill.) IceHogs series tomorrow, one Michigan city wants the world to know just what side they’re on.

The City of Rockford, Mich., announced today that for the next two weeks, they are to be known as “Griffinville.”

The “Griffinville” city council voted to approve the temporary name change today, as to avoid any confusion about which team they are cheering for in the upcoming AHL playoff series.

“Given the high stakes of the Calder Cup Playoffs and our city’s ardent support of the Griffins, the last thing we want is for anyone to confuse us with our namesake in Illinois, or to think that we have any residual affinity for anything from there, including the IceHogs,” said Griffinville City Manager Michael Young, who had served that same role for Rockford since 1995, in a release from the Griffins. “This change, which will remain in effect until May 20 or the conclusion of the Griffins-IceHogs series, reaffirms our residents’ allegiance to the Griffins. We hope they ‘Bring it back’!”

The Griffins welcome the residents of the other Rockford city to Van Andel Arena tomorrow night to start their second-round series.

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