GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Detroit Red Wings, NHL affiliate of the Grand Rapids Griffins, on Friday announced the signing of center Valtteri Filppula (VAL-tuhr-ee FIHL-poo-luh) to a three-year entry-level contract.

Filppula, 21, was Detroits third pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Last season, he helped lead Jokerit Helsinki to the finals of the Finnish Elite League, scoring 11 points (5-611) in 12 postseason contests to rank fifth in the league and second on the club. During the regular season, Filppula finished fourth on his team with 30 points (10-2030) in 55 games.

Filppula made his debut in Finlands top league in 2003-04 and played for his countrys bronze medal-winning squad at the 2004 World Junior Championship. Playing in his homeland, he led his team and placed fourth overall in tournament scoring with nine points (4-59) in seven games.

During his junior career in Finland, Filppula led his league in scoring in 2002-03 and captained Finland to a fourth place finish at the 2002 World U-18 Championship in Slovakia.