OLYMPIC CHANGES
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings recalled forward Mikael Samuelsson from the Grand Rapids Griffins on Sunday and assigned right wing Tomas Jurco and center Riley Sheahan to their AHL affiliate on Saturday.
Samuelsson, 37, has skated in two games with the Griffins this season, his first AHL stint since eight appearances in the 2001-02 season with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft (145th overall), Samuelsson has notched three points (1-2—3) and six penalty minutes in 26 appearances with the Wings this season. In six total seasons with Detroit, Samuelsson has produced 163 points (68-95—163) and 152 PIM from 2005-09 and 2012-14. With an NHL career spanning 12 years, Samuelsson has tallied 346 points (149-197—346) and 370 PIM in 699 games.
Jurco, 21, has netted 32 points (13-19—32) in 32 games with Grand Rapids and ranks third on the team in scoring. A native of Kosice, Slovakia, Jurco made his NHL debut on Dec. 15 in Detroit’s 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay, becoming the 138th Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL. Detroit’s first choice (35th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, he has earned seven points (3-4—7) in 19 games with the Wings this season. Jurco will compete for the Slovakian Olympic Team at the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, later this week, becoming only the fifth player in franchise history to participate in the Olympics while an active Griffin.
Sheahan, 22, has competed in 28 games with the Griffins in his second professional season, posting 18 points (8-10—18), a plus-one rating and 10 PIM. Detroit’s first choice (21st overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Sheahan tallied two assists — his first career NHL points — in Detroit’s 5-4 shootout victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Dec. 21. In 18 games with the Wings this season, Sheahan has recorded 11 points (3-8—11) and a plus-two rating.
This week, the Griffins will host the San Antonio Rampage at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, the first two games of a five-game stretch at Van Andel Arena.
Fans can secure their full-season, select-season or group ticket packages by calling (616) 774-4585 ext. 2. Single-game tickets for all home games are now available for purchase at all Star Tickets locations, including The Zone, online through griffinshockey.com, or by phone through Star Tickets at (800) 585-3737.