McCARTY AND HELM TRADE PLACES

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday assigned right wing Darren McCarty to the Grand Rapids Griffins and recalled center Darren Helm. In addition, the Wings also recalled left wing Randall Gelech, who was then reassigned to the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.

McCarty, 36, has netted one goal and has 25 PIM through 13 appearances with the Wings this season. During the 2007-08 campaign, the Burnaby, British Columbia native logged 13 games with the Griffins, registering 10 points (5-5—10) and 21 PIM. He also scored a hat trick and the first four-point night of his pro career during his home debut with Grand Rapids on Feb. 15, 2008.

McCarty will be available to make his 2008-09 Griffins debut tonight when the team hosts the Manchester Monarchs at 7 p.m.

Helm, 21, earned his second call-up of the season to the parent club after averaging 7:58 of ice time and recording three shots in two games from Oct. 16-18. He has played 16 games with Grand Rapids and ranks among team leaders with 18 points (2nd), 13 assists (2nd) and five goals (6th).

Helm will be available to join Detroit tonight, when the Red Wings host the Montreal Canadiens at 7:30 p.m. Coverage on FSN Detroit.

Gelech, 26, shows two penalty minutes and a minus-1 rating through five games with Grand Rapids this season. He has totaled 75 games with the Griffins since the start of the 2007-08 campaign, tallying 15 points (7-8—15) and 39 PIM.

A fifth-year veteran, Gelech has logged 305 AHL games between Utah, San Antonio and Grand Rapids, posting 97 points (48-49—97) and 214 PIM.

Gelech will be available to make his Americans debut today when they visit Toronto at 11:30 a.m.