HOWARD'S BACK

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Saturday assigned goaltender Jimmy Howard to the Grand Rapids Griffins for conditioning.

Howard joins the Griffins for the second time this season. In his previous conditioning stint, Howard split his two starts on Feb. 4 and 8 while showing a 3.35 goals against average and a 0.870 save percentage.

The 32-year-old is 5-7-1 in 17 games with the Red Wings this year. Howard’s 1.96 GAA and 0.934 save percentage would place second and first, respectively, in the league if he met the minutes requirement. The 6-foot-1, 218-pound netminder has not played in the NHL since sustaining an injury during Detroit’s 4-1 loss at Tampa Bay on Dec. 20.

Debuting with Detroit in 2005-06 and joining the Red Wings full time in 2009-10, Howard has skated in 392 career NHL games, amassing a 194-120-54 record, a 2.44 GAA, a 0.915 save percentage and 22 shutouts. The 12-year pro has played in 48 Stanley Cup Playoff contests and owns a 21-26 mark and a 2.58 GAA.

Detroit’s first choice, 64th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Howard began his professional career in Grand Rapids and played with the Griffins from 2005-09. He ranks among the franchise’s leaders with 188 games (3rd), 10766:40 minutes (3rd), 91 wins (3rd), 14 shutouts (2nd) and 4889 saves (3rd). He became the 74th Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL when he debuted with Detroit on Nov. 28, 2005 at Los Angeles.

The Central Division-leading Griffins continue their season-high seven-game road trip tonight when they visit Texas. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. EST.

Single-game tickets are currently on sale. Fans can secure their full-season, select-season or group ticket packages by calling (616) 774-4585 ext. 2 or visit griffinshockey.com for more information.