BIG RIG IS BACK

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Monday welcomed back defenseman Jonathan Ericsson on assignment from the Detroit Red Wings and left wing Josef Fojtik on recall from the IHL’s Flint Generals.

Ericsson, 24, made his NHL debut on Feb. 22 during Detroit’s 1-0 loss at Calgary, becoming the 90th Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL, and he recorded his first NHL point with a power play goal in the Wings’ 4-3 shootout loss at Edmonton on Feb. 26. In seven games with Detroit, Ericsson also registered 15 shots and two penalty minutes while averaging 15:27 of ice time.

An AHL All-Star, Ericsson has tallied 25 points (7-18—25) in 54 contests with the Griffins to rank second among defensemen and sixth overall on the club in scoring.

Fojtik, 23, has played in 10 games with Grand Rapids, earning two assists and 10 PIM. He and Ericsson will both be available to return to the Griffins’ lineup on Wednesday when they host the Toronto Marlies at 7 p.m.