GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday assigned defenseman Doug Janik and goaltender Joey MacDonald to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Janik, 30, begins his 10th professional season after splitting time between the Griffins and Red Wings in 2009-10. He led Grand Rapids’ defensemen with 31 assists and 37 points in 66 games last season, tying for sixth in club scoring, and he chipped in two assists in 13 games with the parent club.

Already one of the greatest goaltenders in Griffins franchise history, the 30-year-old MacDonald returns to the team for which he starred from 2002-07. His 16 shutouts still rank first on Grand Rapids’ all-time list, while his career totals of 164 goaltender games played, 9208:13 minutes played, 88 wins and 4,251 saves stand second behind only current Red Wings netminder Jimmy Howard.

The Griffins will aim for their 15th consecutive opening night sellout this Friday, Oct. 8 when they host the Abbotsford Heat at 7 p.m., marking the first time since 2005 that they’ll open the AHL’s regular season at home. Tickets are still available by visiting griffinshockey.com or calling the Griffins at (616) 774-4585.