GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Thursday assigned defenseman Xavier Ouellet to the Grand Rapids Griffins while the Griffins assigned defenseman Joel Chouinard to the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye.

Detroit’s second choice, 48th overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Ouellet collected 29 points (4-25—29) and a plus-18 rating in 61 games with the Griffins this season. In January, he was selected to participate in the 2016 AHL All-Star Classic – his second consecutive all-star selection – as he became just the fourth Griffins player ever to be named an all-star participant in back-to-back years (Niklas Kronwall 2004-05, Gustav Nyquist 2012-13, Michel Picard 1997-98 in the IHL). Ouellet was unable to play in the 2015 All-Star Classic because he was on recall with the Red Wings.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound blueliner played in five games with the Red Wings this season and recorded one point (0-1—1) and two penalty minutes.

Ouellet appeared in 52 games with the Griffins during the 2014-15 campaign, registering 16 points (1-15—16), a plus-24 rating and 24 PIM. During the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs, Ouellet appeared in 16 games with Grand Rapids and led team defensemen in scoring with six points (1-5—6) and a plus-six rating. A native of Bayonne, France, Ouellet has tallied 62 points (9-53—62) in 183 career AHL games with the Griffins since 2013.

Chouinard has accumulated four points (1-3—4) and a plus-three rating in nine games for Grand Rapids this season.

In 49 regular season games for Toledo, Chouinard totaled 28 points (7-21—28) – second-most among defensemen on the team – and helped the Walleye clinch the ECHL’s North Division title. Chouinard has also tallied one goal (1-0—1) in four games for the Walleye in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Toledo and Reading are tied at two games apiece and Game 5 is set for Friday.

A native of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Chouinard has played parts of two seasons in Grand Rapids. He appeared in two games for the Griffins during the 2014-15 campaign but did not record a point. Since turning pro during the 2010-11 season, the 6-foot-1, 187-pound blueliner has registered 16 goals and 34 assists (16-34—50) in 204 AHL games between the Lake Erie Monsters (2010-13), Hamilton Bulldogs (2013-14), Griffins (2014-16) and Chicago Wolves (2015-16).

Grand Rapids begins its 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs on Friday at division champion Milwaukee. Game 1 of the Central Division Semifinals is set for 8 p.m. EDT at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Tickets for Games 3 (Tuesday, April 26) and 4 (Wednesday, April 27) of the division semifinals at Van Andel Arena are now on sale at all Star Tickets locations, including The Zone, online through griffinshockey.com, by phone through Star Tickets at (800) 585-3737, or via the Griffins app for iPhone or Android.

Available for all playoff home games, Playoff 4-Packs include four or more tickets at a savings of $3 per ticket plus no service fees. To purchase a Playoff 4-Pack, visit griffinshockey.com/playoffs or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2.

Fans who want to experience every Griffins game at Van Andel Arena during the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs can now purchase a Griffins Playoff Pass. Enjoy the same great seat at significant savings plus the convenience of the “pay-as-we-play” method of payment. To reserve your Griffins Playoff Pass, please call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Thursday assigned defenseman Xavier Ouellet to the Grand Rapids Griffins while the Griffins assigned defenseman Joel Chouinard to the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye.

Detroit’s second choice, 48th overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Ouellet collected 29 points (4-25—29) and a plus-18 rating in 61 games with the Griffins this season. In January, he was selected to participate in the 2016 AHL All-Star Classic – his second consecutive all-star selection – as he became just the fourth Griffins player ever to be named an all-star participant in back-to-back years (Niklas Kronwall 2004-05, Gustav Nyquist 2012-13, Michel Picard 1997-98 in the IHL). Ouellet was unable to play in the 2015 All-Star Classic because he was on recall with the Red Wings.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound blueliner played in five games with the Red Wings this season and recorded one point (0-1—1) and two penalty minutes.

Ouellet appeared in 52 games with the Griffins during the 2014-15 campaign, registering 16 points (1-15—16), a plus-24 rating and 24 PIM. During the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs, Ouellet appeared in 16 games with Grand Rapids and led team defensemen in scoring with six points (1-5—6) and a plus-six rating. A native of Bayonne, France, Ouellet has tallied 62 points (9-53—62) in 183 career AHL games with the Griffins since 2013.

Chouinard has accumulated four points (1-3—4) and a plus-three rating in nine games for Grand Rapids this season.

In 49 regular season games for Toledo, Chouinard totaled 28 points (7-21—28) – second-most among defensemen on the team – and helped the Walleye clinch the ECHL’s North Division title. Chouinard has also tallied one goal (1-0—1) in four games for the Walleye in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Toledo and Reading are tied at two games apiece and Game 5 is set for Friday.

A native of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Chouinard has played parts of two seasons in Grand Rapids. He appeared in two games for the Griffins during the 2014-15 campaign but did not record a point. Since turning pro during the 2010-11 season, the 6-foot-1, 187-pound blueliner has registered 16 goals and 34 assists (16-34—50) in 204 AHL games between the Lake Erie Monsters (2010-13), Hamilton Bulldogs (2013-14), Griffins (2014-16) and Chicago Wolves (2015-16).

Grand Rapids begins its 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs on Friday at division champion Milwaukee. Game 1 of the Central Division Semifinals is set for 8 p.m. EDT at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Tickets for Games 3 (Tuesday, April 26) and 4 (Wednesday, April 27) of the division semifinals at Van Andel Arena are now on sale at all Star Tickets locations, including The Zone, online through griffinshockey.com, by phone through Star Tickets at (800) 585-3737, or via the Griffins app for iPhone or Android.

Available for all playoff home games, Playoff 4-Packs include four or more tickets at a savings of $3 per ticket plus no service fees. To purchase a Playoff 4-Pack, visit griffinshockey.com/playoffs or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2.

Fans who want to experience every Griffins game at Van Andel Arena during the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs can now purchase a Griffins Playoff Pass. Enjoy the same great seat at significant savings plus the convenience of the “pay-as-we-play” method of payment. To reserve your Griffins Playoff Pass, please call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2.