Red Wings Reassign Saarijarvi to Finish Season with Griffins
March 25, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
Flint Firebirds Defenseman Vili Saarijarvi
(Flint Firebirds, Credit: Rena Laverty/Flint Firebirds Hockey Club)
Flint, Mich. - Following the conclusion of Flint's inaugural season in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the Detroit Red Wings have reassigned defenseman Vili Saarijärvi to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, Grand Rapids Griffins, for the duration of the Griffins' season.
Saarijärvi, a Detroit Red Wings 3rd round pick (73rd overall), in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, ranked third on the Firebirds this season with 43 points in 59 games played. His 12 goals and 31 assists in the 2015-16 campaign was a tie for the ninth most points among all OHL defenseman, despite missing nine games to play in the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship.
The Rovaniemi, Finland native played a key role in helping his nation earn an IIHF World Junior Championship Gold Medal on home soil earlier this year. Saarijarvi recorded four assists, two penalty minutes and 11 shots on goal in seven games played with Finland. Saarijärvi was also chosen as the Most Valuable Defenseman in the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championships last season, where Team Finland captured the Silver Medal in the championship contest.
Saarijärvi signed with Flint on Aug. 12 after being selected in the 1st round, (9th overall), in the 2015 CHL Import Draft by the Firebirds.
Images from this story
 Flint Firebirds Defenseman Vili Saarijarvi (Rena Laverty/Flint Firebirds Hockey Club) |
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