ROSTER SWELLS TO 25

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday assigned defenseman Jonathan Ericsson and forwards Darren Helm and Ville Leino to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

The Griffins also announced the loan of defenseman Garrett Stafford from the Dallas Stars and the signing of goaltender Isaac Reichmuth to a training camp agreement. Stafford played 69 games for Grand Rapids last season while under contract to Detroit, leading all Griffins defensemen and placing third overall on the team with 44 points (11-33—44).

The Griffins now have 25 players on their roster, including 16 prospects assigned by the Red Wings and three players on loan from the Stars. The majority of those players held their first area practice earlier today in preparation for their season opener in Cleveland this Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. against the Lake Erie Monsters.

After playing their first three games on the road, the Griffins will make their 2008-09 Van Andel Arena debut on Saturday, Oct. 25 against the Hamilton Bulldogs at 7 p.m. Single-game tickets for all 40 home games are now on sale at all Star Tickets outlets, including the Zone and Meijer stores, or online through griffinshockey.com, while group, full-season and mini-plan ticket packages are available by calling the Griffins at (616) 774-4585.