WINGS RETURN PULKKINEN

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Saturday assigned right wing Teemu Pulkkinen to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Detroit’s fourth choice (111th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Pulkkinen leads the Griffins in scoring, ranks second among league rookies and ranks 15th overall in the AHL with 51 points (26-25—51) in 60 games this season. Pulkkinen, 22, also leads league rookies in goals (26) and plus/minus (20). The Vantaa, Finland, native became the 141st Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL when he debuted with the Red Wings on March 14 in a 2-1 shootout victory versus the Edmonton Oilers. Pulkkinen has skated in three games with Detroit, earning zero points, four shots on goal and two penalty minutes.

Pulkkinen joined the Griffins late in the 2012-13 campaign after spending four seasons with Jokerit of Finland’s SM-Liiga, where he earned 128 points (49-79—128) in 185 career games. Pulkkinen tallied one point (0-1—1) in two regular season appearances and five points (3-2—5) in 14 playoff games en route to capturing the Calder Cup.

The Griffins will travel to Allstate Arena today to battle the Chicago Wolves at 4 p.m. EDT.

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 now available for purchase at all Star Tickets locations, including The Zone, online through griffinshockey.com, or by phone through Star Tickets at (800) 585-3737.