TRADING PLACES
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Monday recalled left wing Mattias Ritola from the Grand Rapids Griffins and assigned center Kris Newbury to their primary affiliate.
Ritola, 22, makes his first trip to Detroit since earning one assist during a two-game call up in March 2008. Through 31 games with the Griffins this season, the Borlange, Sweden, native currently shows 14 points (7-7—14) and is tied for second on the club with two game-winning goals.
Ritola will be available to make his season debut with Detroit on Wednesday when the Wings host the Chicago Blackhawks at 7:30 p.m. on Fox Sports Detroit.
Newbury, 27, became the 108th Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL and scored a goal during his Red Wings debut on Dec. 14, netting Detroit’s first goal in its 3-2 home win over Phoenix. He added four penalty minutes with an average ice time of 8:41 in four contests during his recall.
A native of Brampton, Ontario, Newbury ranks among the Griffins’ team leaders with 12 assists (T3th), 19 points (T3rd) and 95 penalty minutes (1st) through 27 games. His seven-game assist streak from Oct. 25-Nov. 13 stands as the longest this season in the AHL to date.
Newbury is expected to return to the Griffins’ lineup this Saturday, when Grand Rapids hosts the Chicago Wolves at 7 p.m.