RED WINGS ASSIGN FIRST WAVE

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday assigned nine players to the Grand Rapids Griffins, including goaltender Adam Berkhoel, defensemen Brad Ference, Jakub Kindl and Garrett Stafford, and forwards Carl Corazzini, Mark Cullen, Brett Engelhardt, Randall Gelech and Ryan Oulahen.

In addition, the Red Wings released four players who are contracted to the Griffins: defensemen Jon Insana and Cleve Kinley, and forwards Adam Keefe and Jamie Tardif.

All 13 players remain in Detroit, where the Griffins are holding their training camp in conjunction with the Red Wings.

After opening the 2007-08 regular season on Saturday, Oct. 6 at Cleveland and playing their first three games on the road, 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 at any Star Tickets Plus outlet or by calling (616) 222-4000.