GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday assigned goaltender Joey MacDonald, defensemen Garnet Exelby, Doug Janik and Logan Pyett, and forward Chris Conner to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

MacDonald, Janik and Pyett all suited up for the Griffins during the 2010-11 season. MacDonald, the Griffins’ all-time leader with 98 wins and 17 shutouts, appeared in 20 games with the club, posting a team-best 2.78 GAA. Janik, who is entering his third season with the Griffins, served as an alternate captain and posted 22 points (5-17—22) in 60 games. Pyett begins his fourth campaign with the team after becoming the first defenseman in franchise history to record a hat trick, Feb. 27, 2011 vs. Hamilton.

Conner and Exelby are entering their first seasons with Grand Rapids, bringing 547 combined games of NHL experience to the lineup. Conner skated in 60 contests with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, contributing 16 points (7-9—16). Exelby served as captain of the Rockford IceHogs last season after playing seven seasons in the NHL for Atlanta and Toronto.

All five players are expected to be in the lineup when the Griffins kick off their 16th season this Saturday at Rockford at 8:05 p.m. EDT.