TWO MORE HEAD TO HOCKEYTOWN

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday recalled defenseman Jonathan Ericsson and center Mark Hartigan from the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League.

With Brian Rafalski on injured reserve, Nicklas Lidstrom expected to miss the next three weeks and Niklas Kronwall yet to return to Detroit’s lineup, the 23-year-old Ericsson is poised to make his NHL debut this Friday in Calgary. His appearance would mark a milestone for the Griffins, as he would become the 90th alumnus in the franchise’s 12-year history to play in the NHL.

An AHL All-Star, Ericsson finished second in the league’s Hardest Shot competition last month with a 100.1 mph blast. The second-year pro has logged time in all but one Griffins game this season, showing 25 points (7-18—25) in 54 contests to tie for first among Grand Rapids’ defensemen and fourth overall on the club.

Hartigan, 30, is making his fifth trip of the season to Detroit, having scored one goal in eight games with the parent club. Through 48 games with the Griffins, he leads the team with 42 points, 23 goals, eight power play goals (tied) and four game-winning goals (tied).

Ericsson and Hartigan will be reunited with teammates Jimmy Howard and Kyle Quincey as the Wings prepare for Friday’s 9 p.m. EST faceoff at Calgary. The game will be televised on FSN Detroit.