AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Pulkkinen Recalled by Detroit, Novak Signed to PTO

Published on March 12, 2014 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday recalled right wing Teemu Pulkkinen from the Grand Rapids Griffins. In addition, the Griffins signed forward Travis Novak to a professional tryout on Tuesday.

A native of Vantaa, Finland, Pulkkinen leads the Griffins in scoring and ranks second among AHL rookies with 51 points (26-25 - 51) in 60 games this season. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound winger also leads league rookies in goals (26), shots (175) and plus/minus (plus-20).

Detroit's 4th choice (111th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Pulkkinen joined the Griffins late in the 2012-13 campaign after spending four seasons with Jokerit of Finland's SM-Liiga, where he earned 128 points (49-79 - 128) in 185 career games. Pulkkinen tallied one point (0-1 - 1) in two regular season appearances and five points (3-2 - 5) in 14 playoff games en route to capturing the Calder Cup.

The Red Wings will host the Edmonton Oilers on Friday at 7 p.m., when Pulkkinen could make his NHL debut and become the 141st Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL. With his recall, there are 10 members of Grand Rapids' Calder Cup championship team on Detroit's current roster.

Novak, 25, has skated in three games with Grand Rapids this season, earning two points (1-1 - 2) and a plus-three rating. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound forward has also notched 30 points (10-20 - 30) in 43 contests with the Walleye this season and 64 points (21-43 - 64) in 108 career games with Toledo from 2012-14. Prior to joining the Walleye, the Lethbridge, Alberta, native was a member of the WCHA's St. Cloud State Huskies from 2008-12, where he earned 71 points (34-37 - 71) in 143 career games.

Grand Rapids will begin a season-high seven-game road trip on Thursday at 8 p.m. EDT with a tangle against the San Antonio Rampage.

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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American Hockey League Stories from March 12, 2014


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