T-MINUS ONE WEEK AND COUNTING...

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Saturday assigned forwards Darren Helm, Evan McGrath and Ryan Oulahen to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

The trio will join eight other Red Wings prospects and seven Griffins-contracted players who commenced practice this morning at Griff’s IceHouse at Belknap Park. As the team prepares for the season opener next Saturday, Oct. 6 in Cleveland versus the Lake Erie Monsters, it will practice at Griff’s IceHouse at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday and at 10 a.m. on Monday through Friday of next week. All practice sessions are open to the public.

After opening the 2007-08 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, in person at any Star Tickets Plus outlet, including The Zone and Meijer stores, or by phone at (616) 222-4000.