GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday signed defenseman Clay Wilson to a professional tryout and announced that goaltender Jimmy Howard has been recalled by the Detroit Red Wings.

Wilson, 22, currently leads all Muskegon Fury blueliners with three goals, nine assists and 12 points in 13 games. The rookie from Michigan Tech is tied for eighth among United Hockey League defensemen and 13th among the leagues rookies in scoring.

After completing his collegiate career last spring he joined the Fury for their run to the UHL championship. Wilson, who attended training camp with the Griffins in September, is expected to make his AHL debut tonight when Grand Rapids hosts the Hamilton Bulldogs at 8 p.m.

Howard, 21, received his third recall of the season to serve as the Red Wings backup tonight when they visit San Jose. In six games for the Griffins this season, the rookie from Maine shows a 4-1-1 record with a 2.88 goals against average and a 0.899 save percentage.