DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings today assigned center Andreas Athanasiou to the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins.

Athanasiou, 21, skated in 37 games with the Red Wings during the 2015-16 campaign, notching 14 points, five penalty minutes and a plus-one rating. The second-year pro made his NHL debut with Detroit on Nov. 8 vs. Dallas and notched his first goal in his second NHL game on Nov. 10 vs. Washington, in what turned out to be the game's only goal. Athanasiou also made his NHL postseason debut during the Red Wings' first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning and recorded his first playoff goal in Game 3. The London, Ontario, native also appeared in 26 games for the Griffins this season, recording 16 points (8-8-16). In 83 AHL games over the past two seasons, he has logged 51 points (25-26-51), adding 10 points (5-5-10) in 22 career AHL playoff games.

Originally drafted by Detroit in the fourth round (110th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Athanasiou spent four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League from 2010-14 prior to turning professional, splitting time between the London Knights and Barrie Colts. In 252 career major junior games, he recorded 221 points (111-110-221) and 125 penalty minutes, winning an OHL championship with London in 2012. He ranked fifth in the league in scoring during his final OHL season with Barrie in 2013-14, racking up 95 points (49-46-95) in 66 games.

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The Griffins' will begin their second round series against the Lake Erie Monsters this coming Thursday, May 5th.