The Grand Rapids Griffins will have Jeff Hoggan, Brennan Evans, and Triston Grant back for their title defence next season, according to GriffinsCentral.com.

Hoggan, the Griffins captain, is an AHL veteran of nearly 500 games, and will come back to help the Griffins attempt to repeat as he enters his ninth AHL campaign. Prior to playing in the AHL last season, Hoggan spent two seasons in the DEL with Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg and Hannover Scorpions.

At age 35, Hoggan is still producing. In 76 games last year, the vet put up 45 points (20-25), the second best point total of his career. Over the course of 81 games in the DEL, Hoggan put up 25 goals and 24 assists, and should be good to show up on the scoresheet every couple games next year with the Griffins.

Evans, another over-30 AHL vet, has been a force on AHL blue lines for the past decade. Last season, while a member of the Griffins, Evans put up seven assists and 148 PIM in 76 games. Not exactly the most fleet of foot or offensively gifted, Evans helps in other areas, filling a leadership role for the Griffins.

Over the course of 750 AHL games, Evans has scored 16 goals and tallied 100 assists. Not afraid to mix it up, Evans is often the defender of his teammates and can help in the development of Red Wings prospects.

Triston Grant, a 29-year-old from Neepawa, MB., is an eight-year AHL veteran who has appeared in 569 games. While suiting up in those contests, Grant has scored 57 goals and 64 assists. Much like Evans, what Grant brings to the lineup is the willingness to defend teammates and create a bit of open ice. In his AHL career, which includes stops in Oklahoma City, Rochester, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Grand Rapids, Grant has amassed 1462 PIM.

In 24 playoff games this past season, Grant has two goals and two assists.