The Grand Rapids Griffins, primary affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, on Friday announced the signings of left wing John Vigilante to a standard player’s contract, defenseman Brett Peterson to a two-way contract with ECHL Toledo, defenseman Justin DaCosta to a two-way contract with IHL Muskegon, and right wing Mike Walsh to a professional tryout.
Vigilante, 24, played a career-high 76 AHL games between Syracuse (52) and Quad City (24) in 2008-09, tallying the same offensive totals for each team (7g, 8a) for a season total of 30 points (14g, 16a).
The Dearborn, Mich., native played his first two AHL seasons in Milwaukee, highlighted by a 2007-08 campaign in which he placed fourth on the Admirals in both assists (31) and points (46) through 73 games.
In 2006-07, Vigilante tallied 27 points (8-19—27) in 62 contests to finish second among Admirals rookies in scoring.
Prior to his pro career, he played four years with Plymouth of the Ontario Hockey League, where he captained the Whalers to a West Division title and was named the team’s most valuable player in 2005-06. Vigilante currently stands among the Whalers’ all-time leaders in games played (254, 3rd), goals (93, 10th), assists (153, 6th), points (246, 7th) and game-winning goals (24, 1st).
Peterson, 27, skated in an AHL career-high 18 games with Grand Rapids during 2008-09, notching his first AHL point with an assist on Feb. 22 vs. San Antonio. Now entering his sixth professional campaign, the defenseman also made his Calder Cup playoff debut with the Griffins last season, earning an assist in his lone postseason appearance.
In addition to making his Griffins debut last season, the Northborough, Mass., native logged two games with IHL Flint before skating in 39 contests for ECHL Phoenix, tallying 15 points (3g, 12a) and 76 penalty minutes with the Roadrunners.
DaCosta, 24, comes to the Griffins from the University of New Brunswick, where he totaled 52 points (21g, 31a) through 77 games over a three-year college career. Last season, he also logged 10 playoff contests for the CHL’s Colorado Eagles upon the conclusion of his collegiate campaign.
In 2005-06, the Mississauga, Ont., native capped off his four-year OHL career by leading his hometown IceDogs’ defensemen in assists (32) and points (42), while standing second among team blueliners with 10 goals in 57 games.
Walsh, 26, has spent portions of the last three seasons with the Griffins, totaling five points (4g, 1a) and 12 PIM in 29 contests. Last season, he logged personal AHL highs with 15 games, three goals, one assist, four points and 10 PIM for Grand Rapids, while also posting 35 points (13g, 22a) in 49 contests with ECHL Utah.
Now entering his fourth pro season, the Royal Oak, Mich., native played four years at Notre Dame, serving as alternate captain during his junior and senior seasons (2004-06).
