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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Athanasiou, Backman and Janmark to Grand Rapids

April 15, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday reassigned left wing Andreas Athanasiou and defenseman Mattias Backman to the Grand Rapids Griffins. In addition, the Griffins signed center Mattias Janmark to an amateur tryout.

Athanasiou, 19, earned 95 points (49-46 - 95) and 52 penalty minutes in 66 games with the Ontario Hockey League's Barrie Colts this season, while posting 12 points (3-9 - 12) in 11 games with the team during the 2014 OHL Playoffs. The Woodbridge, Ontario, native tallied 59 points (33-26 - 59) and 43 PIM with the London Knights from 2010-12, before being traded to Barrie for a second-round pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection, a third-round pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection and a conditional second-round pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.

Detroit's fourth choice (110th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Athanasiou has notched a total of 162 points (78-84 - 162) and 82 PIM in 132 games since joining the Colts. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Athanasiou was named the OHL Player of the Week for the week ending Feb. 16 after leading the league with eight points (6-2 - 8) in four games and owning a plus-four rating.

A native of Linkoping, Sweden, Backman collected 21 points (6-15 - 21), 16 PIM and a plus-25 rating in 54 games with the Swedish Hockey League's Linkopings Hockey Club during the 2013-14 campaign. Detroit's fifth choice (146th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Backman potted seven points (0-7 - 7), six penalty minutes and a plus-four rating in 13 playoff games with Linkopings this season. In 2012, the 6-foot-2, 176-pound defenseman won a gold medal with Sweden at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

A native of Danderyd, Sweden, Janmark was Detroit's third choice (79th overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Janmark has played three seasons with the SHL's AIK from 2011-14, earning 61 points (32-29 - 61) and 90 penalty minutes in 118 games. The 21-year-old Janmark ranked among AIK leaders with 30 points (1st), 18 goals (1st), 12 assists (T6th) and 56 PIM (1st) during the 2013-14 season.

The Griffins will return to Van Andel Arena on Friday to battle the Lake Erie Monsters in their regular season home finale, before closing out the campaign with a rematch against the Monsters at Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday. Both games will begin at 7 p.m.

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.

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