ELLIS TAKES WING

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In the midst of the most prolific stretch of his career, Grand Rapids Griffins center Matt Ellis was recalled by the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.

Ellis, the reigning AHL Player of the Week, has experienced a whirlwind over the nine days. He’s tallied his first hat trick as a Griffin (Feb. 16), become just the fifth player in franchise history to record back-to-back 20-goal campaigns (Feb. 17), earned his first player of the week honors (Feb. 19), and set his new AHL high with his 21st goal of the season (Feb. 23).

In addition, Ellis’ six-game point streak (6-3—9) is his longest in the AHL and ties his career best set with ECHL Toledo in 2002-03, and he has points in nine of his last 10 games as a Griffin (7-6—13). He stands second on the club with 42 points (21-21—42) and places among the AHL’s leaders with four shorthanded goals (T2nd), 203 shots (4th) and five game-winning goals (T6th).

Ellis made his NHL debut with Detroit on Dec. 18, 2006, and has totaled five games with the parent club. He is expected to be in the lineup tonight when the Red Wings visit Nashville at 8 p.m. EST for a crucial Central Division tilt.