SAARIJARVI REASSIGNED TO GRIFFINS

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings have reassigned rookie defenseman Vili Saarijarvi from the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

In his first full professional season, Saarijarvi, 20, has accounted for one assist and a plus-one rating in three games with the Walleye.

Detroit’s second choice, 73rd overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Saarijarvi scored 31 points (11-20—31) in 34 regular season games with the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads in 2016-17 before leading all team defensemen with 15 points (5-10—15) in 20 playoff appearances. Saarijarvi has represented his home country of Finland at the 2017 and 2016 World Junior Championships and won the gold medal in 2016.

The 5-foot-10, 178-pound blueliner ranked third on the OHL’s Flint Firebirds in scoring with 43 points (12-31—43) in 59 games during the 2015-16 campaign before making his pro debut later that season with the Walleye, totaling four points (1-3—4) in five appearances.

The Griffins will continue their three-game homestand on Wednesday at 7 p.m. when they host the Tucson Roadrunners for the inaugural matchup between the franchises.

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.