Stafford Recalled, Moyer Signed
February 23, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Detroit Red Wings on Saturday recalled defenseman Garrett Stafford from the Grand Rapids Griffins, who in turn signed defenseman Russ Moyer to a professional tryout.
With four of Detroit's blueliners sidelined by injuries, Stafford becomes the third defenseman and fifth player from the Griffins to be summoned by the Red Wings in the last two weeks. The 28 year old is tied for fourth overall on Grand Rapids and first among the team's defensemen with 25 points (7-18-25) in 47 games.
One night after Jonathan Ericsson made his Detroit debut and became the 90th alumnus in the Griffins' 12-year history to play in the NHL, Stafford is poised to play in his first NHL contest and become graduate no. 91 tonight when the Red Wings visit Vancouver at 10 p.m. EST. The 2004 AHL Second-Team All-Star and All-Rookie Team defenseman has tallied 175 points (47-128-175) in 345 professional contests, all in the AHL.
A total of 12 former Griffins are currently on the Red Wings' roster, including three other regulars from this season's squad: all-star netminder Jimmy Howard, who is slated to start tonight against the Canucks, leading scorer Mark Hartigan and defenseman Kyle Quincey.
Moyer, 25, is playing his first pro season with the IHL's Muskegon Fury. He ranks second among the team's defensemen with 20 points (6-14-20) in 39 games and is tied for second overall on the club with a plus-five rating. The native of North Bay, Ontario, played four seasons for Acadia University (2003-07) following a four-year stint with Ottawa of the Ontario Hockey League (1999-2003).
Moyer is expected to make his AHL debut tonight when the Griffins host the Manitoba Moose at 7 p.m. Only a couple hundred tickets remain for the game, which will be televised live throughout Michigan on Comcast Local.
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