GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday signed forward Turner Elson to a two-year contract. The deal runs through the end of the 2019-20 season. He had signed an AHL contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins last June after playing the 2017-18 season on assignment from Detroit.

Elson, 26, ranks fourth on the Griffins in scoring this season with 28 points (12-16—28), while adding a plus-14 rating and 47 penalty minutes in 44 games. He has already surpassed last season’s production (9-12—21 in 57 GP), is just two points shy of equaling his AHL career high, and his 16 assists have matched his career best total from 2015-16. Elson has accounted for all three of the Griffins’ shorthanded goals this season, tying for second in the league.

Since making his professional debut with the Abbotsford Heat at the end of the 2011-12 season, the 6-foot, 190-pound forward has appeared in 276 career AHL contests between Abbotsford (2011-14), Adirondack (2014-15), Stockton (2015-16), San Antonio (2016-17) and Grand Rapids and compiled 115 points (55-60—115), a plus-16 rating and 240 PIM. He skated in his first Calder Cup Playoff action with the Griffins last season, scoring two goals in five games.

Elson made his NHL debut with the Calgary Flames on April 9, 2016, against Minnesota and logged his first point on an assist.

Elson won the 2014 Kelly Cup as a member of the ECHL’s Alaska Aces during his first full season as a pro, tallying 15 points (5-10—15) in 18 regular season games before scoring 11 points (7-4—11) in 21 postseason tilts.

A native of New Westminster, British Columbia, Elson appeared in 253 games with Red Deer of the Western Hockey League from 2009-2013 and racked up 151 points (72-79—151) and 337 PIM.

The Central Division-leading Griffins open a seven-game homestand against the Manitoba Moose tomorrow at 7 p.m.

Single-game tickets are currently on sale. Fans can secure their full-season, select-season or group ticket packages by calling (616) 774-4585 ext. 2 or visit griffinshockey.com for more information.

Photo by Sam Iannamico/Griffins