GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Friday assigned goaltender Jimmy Howard and right wing Josh Langfeld to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Howard, 22, became the first Griffin to be named to the AHL’s All-Rookie Team last season, compiling a sparkling 27-6-2 record to go with a 2.58 goals against average and a 0.910 save percentage. A former All-American at Maine and Detroit’s first selection in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, he set franchise records with a 12-game winning streak and a 10-game road point streak, while his nine-game winning streak at Van Andel Arena tied a team mark. Howard, the AHL’s Goaltender of the Month for March and its Player of the Week for March 20, also appeared in four games with the Red Wings last season, going 1-2 with a 2.99 GAA and a 0.904 save percentage.

Langfeld, 29, begins his second tour of duty with the Griffins. As a rookie on Grand Rapids’ first AHL squad in 2001-02, the University of Michigan product scored 21 goals and tied for third on the team with 37 points in 68 contests. Signed as a free agent by the Red Wings this summer, Langfeld played the entire 2005-06 season in the NHL, totaling 12 points (2-10—12) in 57 games for San Jose and Boston. He has scored 30 points (9-21—30) in 108 career NHL contests, and he posted 32 goals and 57 points during his most recent AHL campaign with Binghamton in 2004-05.