TAKE THE HELM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Friday assigned center Darren Helm to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Helm, 20, has been skating with the Griffins recently while recovering from an injury sustained during training camp in Traverse City. The Detroit Red Wings’ fifth selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, he led the Medicine Hat Tigers to the Memorial Cup Final last spring. Helm totaled 64 points (25-39—64) in 59 regular season games, then added 22 points (10-12—22) in 23 playoff contests en route to being named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team.

The Griffins will take a perfect 3-0 record into the home portion of their 2007-08 schedule this weekend. Fewer than 500 tickets remain for Saturday’s debut against the Rockford IceHogs at 7 p.m., while the Quad City Flames will provide the opposition on Sunday at 4 p.m.

Tickets for both games can be purchased in person at The Zone at Van Andel Arena and all Star Tickets Plus locations (including Meijer stores), by phone through Star Tickets Plus at 800-585-3737, or online at griffinshockey.com.