TRIO OF WALLEYE COME ABOARD

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings have reassigned goaltender Jake Paterson to the Grand Rapids Griffins from the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye, while the Griffins have recalled defenseman Joel Chouinard from Toledo and signed forward A.J. Jenks to a professional tryout.

In two starts for the Griffins this season, Paterson showed a 3.11 goals against average, a 0.928 save percentage and a 0-2-0 record.

Detroit’s second choice (80th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Paterson appeared in 30 games with the Walleye during his first full professional season. The Mississauga, Ontario, native ranked eighth among ECHL goaltenders in goals against average (2.21) and sixth in save percentage (0.923) while owning an 18-9-1-1 record. He was also named the ECHL’s goaltender of the week on Feb. 2 after posting a 0.99 GAA, a 0.966 save percentage and a shutout during a pair of Walleye victories.

Chouinard has accumulated four points (1-3—4) and a plus-three rating in nine games for Grand Rapids this season. He scored the game-winning goal in his season debut, a 4-3 win at Iowa on Feb. 13.

In 49 regular season games for Toledo, Chouinard totaled 28 points (7-21—28) – second-most among defensemen on the team. Chouinard also tallied one goal (1-0—1) in seven games for the Walleye during the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Since turning pro during the 2010-11 season, the 6-foot-1, 187-pound blueliner has registered 16 goals and 34 assists (16-34—50) in 204 AHL games between the Lake Erie Monsters (2010-13), Hamilton Bulldogs (2013-14), Griffins (2014-16) and Chicago Wolves (2015-16).

Originally signed to a professional tryout on Jan. 10, Jenks played in five games for Grand Rapids and accumulated two goals, one assist and five PIM. He notched a goal in his Griffins debut, a 5-3 win at Charlotte on Jan. 12.

Appearing in 55 games for the Walleye this season, Jenks finished third on the team in points (22-23—45), including 14 multi-point efforts, while also racking up 48 PIM. He paced the Walleye in scoring during the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs, potting five goals and three assists (5-3—8).

Florida’s fourth choice (100th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound forward has played in 183 career AHL games since 2011 between Rochester (2010-11), San Antonio (2011-12), Charlotte (2011-15) and Grand Rapids (2015-16).

The Walleye won the ECHL’s North Division regular season title but were eliminated from the Kelly Cup Playoffs with a Game 7 loss to Reading on Tuesday.

The Griffins will continue their quest for the Calder Cup by facing the Lake Erie Monsters in the Central Division Finals. Game 1 is set for Thursday, May 5 at 7 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.

Tickets for Games 3 (May 8), 4 (May 10) and 6 (May 16) of the division finals at Van Andel Arena are available at all Star Tickets locations, including The Zone, online through griffinshockey.com, by phone through Star Tickets at (800) 585-3737, or via the Griffins app for iPhone or Android.

Available for all playoff home games, Playoff 4-Packs include four or more tickets at a savings of $3 per ticket plus no service fees. To purchase a Playoff 4-Pack, visit griffinshockey.com/playoffs or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2.

Fans who want to experience every Griffins game at Van Andel Arena during the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs can purchase a Griffins Playoff Pass. Enjoy the same great seat at significant savings plus the convenience of the “pay-as-we-play” method of payment. To reserve your Griffins Playoff Pass, please call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2.

Continuing a postseason tradition, the Griffins are offering $2 beers and $2 hot dogs for all home playoff games for two hours after the doors open, while supplies last. In addition, 2,500 fans will receive Griffins playoff rally towels during the second round, compliments of Auto Value Parts Stores.