Griffins sign Wolverine Lake native A.J. Jenks to professional tryout

By @MichaelCaples –

The Griffins have made a short-term addition to their roster, and he’s a familiar name.

The AHL club has signed A.J. Jenks to a professional tryout, it was announced today.

Jenks, a Wolverine Lake native, has played in 33 games with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye this year, recording 25 points and 32 penalty minutes.

The Plymouth Whalers alum was selected 100th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers.

Full release:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Sunday signed forward A.J. Jenks to a professional tryout.

Appearing in 33 games for the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye this season, Jenks ranks third on the team in points (11-14—25), including eight multi-point efforts, and has accumulated 32 penalty minutes.

Florida’s fourth choice (100th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Jenks split time between Toledo and the Charlotte Checkers during the 2014-15 campaign. He played in 27 games for the Checkers, amassing six points (2-4—6) and 12 PIM while also accounting for 25 points (16-9—25), 23 PIM and a plus-11 rating in 42 games for the Walleye.

Before turning professional, the Wolverine Lake, Mich., native spent four seasons with the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers and recorded 193 points (79-114) from 2006-10.

Winners in 19 of their last 22 games, the Griffins will travel to Charlotte on Tuesday.