Elson Signs One-Year Extension

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Saturday signed center Turner Elson to a one-year contract extension.

Elson, 28, has spent the last three seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins, totaling 82 points (36-46—82), a plus-32 rating and 174 penalty minutes in 190 games. After compiling career-highs with 18 goals, 21 assists and 39 points in 2018-19, he posted 22 points (9-13—22) in 61 games during the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season, pacing the team with a plus-eight rating while tying for second with three game-winning goals.

Including the team-high three shorthanded goals that he scored in 2018-19, Elson’s five career shorthanded tallies tie for seventh in franchise history.

Since making his professional debut with the Abbotsford Heat at the end of the 2011-12 season, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound forward has appeared in 365 career American Hockey League contests between Abbotsford (2011-14), Adirondack (2014-15), Stockton (2015-16), San Antonio (2016-17) and Grand Rapids and compiled 148 points (70-78—148), a plus-22 rating and 318 PIM. He has skated in 10 Calder Cup Playoff games, all as a Griffin, totaling six points (4-2—6).

Elson made his NHL debut with the Calgary Flames on April 9, 2016, against Minnesota and logged his first point on an assist. He won the 2014 Kelly Cup as a member of the ECHL’s Alaska Aces during his first full season as a pro, tallying 15 points (5-10—15) in 18 regular season games before scoring 11 points (7-4—11) in 21 postseason tilts.

A native of New Westminster, British Columbia, Elson appeared in 253 games with Red Deer of the Western Hockey League from 2009-2013 and racked up 151 points (72-79—151) and 337 PIM.

Photo by Mark Newman/Griffins