LEAN, MEAN FIGHTING MACHINE

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Sunday assigned goaltender Jimmy Howard, defenseman Jonathan Ericsson and forwards Mattias Ritola and Johan Ryno to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Today’s transactions swell the Griffins’ roster to nearly two dozen players, including 15 Red Wings prospects and seven Griffins-contracted players.

Grand Rapids is just six days away from its 2007-08 season opener, set for this Saturday, Oct. 6 in Cleveland versus the Lake Erie Monsters. The Griffins will continue their preparations this week with 10 a.m. practices at Griff’s IceHouse at Belknap Park each day Monday through Friday.

After opening the regular season with three straight road games, the Griffins will make their Van Andel Arena debut on Saturday, Oct. 20 against the Rockford IceHogs at 7 p.m. Group tickets for all home games, along with full season, 20-game, 10-game and five-game ticket packages, are currently available by calling the Griffins at (616) 774-4585. Single-game tickets can be purchased online at griffinshockey.com, in person at any Star Tickets Plus outlet, including The Zone and Meijer stores, or by phone at (616) 222-4000.