Griffins Sign Chad Billins

[chilly666]

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Thursday signed defenseman Chad Billins to a one-year contract.

Billins signed an amateur tryout with Grand Rapids on April 12 but did not see game action with the club. The Marysville, Mich., native served as a co-captain for the Ferris State Bulldogs’ run to the 2012 NCAA Frozen Four, where they were defeated in the championship game by Boston College. In 149 games over four seasons with Ferris State, Billins tallied 67 points (17-50—67) and 108 penalty minutes, including 29 points (7-22—29) in 43 games in 2011-12.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound defenseman earned numerous honors and accolades in his senior season. He was the recipient of the CCHA Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and was also named to the All-CCHA First Team after finishing second among CCHA defensemen with 25 points (7-18—25) in 31 conference games. He was a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS award and earned a spot on the Senior CLASS All-America Team, which rewards academic success and the loyalty of seniors that honored their four-year commitment to their university. Billins also received nominations for CCHA’s RBC Player of the Year and Best Offensive Defenseman awards.

Prior to his collegiate career, the 23-year-old defenseman skated for the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks in 2007-08 and finished fourth among the league’s defensemen with 36 points (10-26—36) in 60 games. Billins also played 62 games for the Alpena IceDiggers of the NAHL from 2005-07, totaling 25 points (7-18—25) and 98 penalty minutes.