McCollum to Griffins, Backman to Linkopings HC
December 27, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Detroit Red Wings on Saturday assigned goaltender Tom McCollum to the Grand Rapids Griffins. In addition, the Red Wings have reassigned defenseman Mattias Backman from Grand Rapids to Linkopings HC (Sweden).
McCollum, 25, has played in 16 games for Grand Rapids this season, procuring a 5-8-3 record, a 2.57 goals against average and a 0.903 save percentage. Detroit's first choice (30th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, McCollum has appeared in 175 career games with the Griffins since 2009-10 and has compiled a 74-75-13 record and a 2.91 GAA. In his 2013-14 campaign, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound netminder ranked fourth among AHL goaltenders with a 2.30 GAA, and he set career bests in games played (46), wins (24) and save percentage (0.922).
Backman, 22, notched four points (0-4 - 4) and four penalty minutes in 18 games with Grand Rapids this season. In 2013-14, Backman went scoreless in two regular season games with the Griffins before picking up six points (1-5 - 6) and two PIM in 10 playoff appearances. Prior to his North American debut, Backman accumulated 21 points (6-15 - 21), 16 PIM and a plus-25 rating in 54 regular season games with Linkopings and also tallied seven assists in 13 playoff appearances. In 2012, the 6-foot-3, 176-pound defenseman won a gold medal with Sweden at the IIHF World Junior Championship.
The Griffins will take on the Iowa Wild tonight at Van Andel Arena 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 available for purchase at all Star Tickets locations, including The Zone, online through griffinshockey.com, by phone through Star Tickets at (800) 585-3737 or by downloading the Griffins app for iPhone or Android.
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