BLUELINE SHIFT

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Monday assigned defenseman Xavier Ouellet to the Grand Rapids Griffins. In addition, the Griffins released defenseman Jared Nightingale from his professional tryout.

Ouellet, 21, has picked up three points (2-1—3), two penalty minutes and a plus-four rating in 21 games with Detroit this season, notching his first NHL point (assist) on Nov. 22 at Toronto and his first NHL goal on Nov. 28 at New Jersey. The Bayonne, France, native has also appeared in 24 games with Grand Rapids, registering eight points (1-7—8), 18 PIM and a plus-seven rating. Detroit’s second choice (48th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Ouellet has totaled 94 career AHL games with the Griffins from 2013-15, logging 25 points (5-20—25), 40 PIM and a plus-10 rating.

A 10-year AHL veteran, Nightingale made his Griffins debut in Saturday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Rochester Americans at Van Andel Arena. The Jackson, Mich., native has also notched one assist in six games with the Hartford Wolf Pack and one assist in 20 games with the Norfolk Admirals this season. Prior to his stint with Grand Rapids, the 32-year-old defenseman spent 13 games with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye, where he tallied three points (1-2—3) and 17 PIM.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound defenseman has amassed 51 points (14-37—51) and 888 PIM in 414 career games between the Griffins, Springfield Falcons (2005-06), Iowa Stars (2006-07), Wolf Pack (2007-11; 2014-15), Chicago Wolves (2007-08), Connecticut Whale (2011-12), Syracuse Crunch (2012-13), Rockford IceHogs (2013-14) and Admirals (2014-15). Prior to turning pro, Nightingale spent four seasons with Michigan State University, where he picked up 23 points (2-21—23) in 156 career CCHA games.

The Griffins will continue their four-game home stand this weekend with back-to-back games against the San Antonio Rampage, beginning on Friday at 7 p.m. for the fourth annual “Purple Community Game”.

Fans can secure their full-season, select-season or group ticket packages by calling (616) 774-4585 ext. 2. Single-game tickets for all home games are available for purchase at all Star Tickets locations, including The Zone, online through griffinshockey.com, by phone through Star Tickets at (800) 585-3737 or by downloading the Griffins app for iPhone or Android.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Monday assigned defenseman Xavier Ouellet to the Grand Rapids Griffins. In addition, the Griffins released defenseman Jared Nightingale from his professional tryout.

Ouellet, 21, has picked up three points (2-1—3), two penalty minutes and a plus-four rating in 21 games with Detroit this season, notching his first NHL point (assist) on Nov. 22 at Toronto and his first NHL goal on Nov. 28 at New Jersey. The Bayonne, France, native has also appeared in 24 games with Grand Rapids, registering eight points (1-7—8), 18 PIM and a plus-seven rating. Detroit’s second choice (48th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Ouellet has totaled 94 career AHL games with the Griffins from 2013-15, logging 25 points (5-20—25), 40 PIM and a plus-10 rating.

A 10-year AHL veteran, Nightingale made his Griffins debut in Saturday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Rochester Americans at Van Andel Arena. The Jackson, Mich., native has also notched one assist in six games with the Hartford Wolf Pack and one assist in 20 games with the Norfolk Admirals this season. Prior to his stint with Grand Rapids, the 32-year-old defenseman spent 13 games with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye, where he tallied three points (1-2—3) and 17 PIM.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound defenseman has amassed 51 points (14-37—51) and 888 PIM in 414 career games between the Griffins, Springfield Falcons (2005-06), Iowa Stars (2006-07), Wolf Pack (2007-11; 2014-15), Chicago Wolves (2007-08), Connecticut Whale (2011-12), Syracuse Crunch (2012-13), Rockford IceHogs (2013-14) and Admirals (2014-15). Prior to turning pro, Nightingale spent four seasons with Michigan State University, where he picked up 23 points (2-21—23) in 156 career CCHA games.

The Griffins will continue their four-game home stand this weekend with back-to-back games against the San Antonio Rampage, beginning on Friday at 7 p.m. for the fourth annual “Purple Community Game”.

Fans can secure their full-season, select-season or group ticket packages by calling (616) 774-4585 ext. 2. Single-game tickets for all home games are available for purchase at all Star Tickets locations, including The Zone, online through griffinshockey.com, by phone through Star Tickets at (800) 585-3737 or by downloading the Griffins app for iPhone or Android.