Early this morning I came across this little nugget on the AHL transactions page.
The Griffins have confirmed that Paterson has indeed been called up, and though there’s no explanations as of yet as to why, the only thing that makes sense is an injury. Last week the Toledo Walleye loaned out goalie Jeff Lerg to the San Diego Gulls, the Anaheim Ducks AHL affiliate. Lerg and Paterson has been splitting time between the pipes for the Walleye and with Lerg gone, Paterson was slated to become the starter with newly signed backup Dustin Carlson as backup. Both the Walleye and Griffins play Wednesday night, so calling Paterson up to Grand Rapids only makes sense if one of Tom McCollum or Jared Coreau are injured.
Here’s the press release.
UPDATE:
Walleye G Jake Paterson (5-3-2) was called up to Grand Rapids of the AHL, but he is expected to be back with Toledo for its game on Wed.
— Mark Monroe (@MonroeBlade) December 7, 2015
@Slapshotg0al The move was made to give McCollum and/or Coreau time off during the next two days of practice leading up to GR’s game Wed.
— Mark Monroe (@MonroeBlade) December 7, 2015
@MonroeBlade Thank you for the clarification. Is it a situation where Coreau/Tommy is sore/needs rest but is ok to play?
— Michelle (@Slapshotg0al) December 7, 2015
@Slapshotg0al Yes – just rest.
— Mark Monroe (@MonroeBlade) December 7, 2015
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings have reassigned goaltender Jake Paterson from the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye to the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Detroit’s second choice (80th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Paterson has appeared in 10 games with the Walleye during his first professional season. The Mississauga, Ontario, native posts a 5-3-1-1 record between the pipes for the division-leading Walleye to go along with 0.922 save percentage and a 2.48 goals against average.
Paterson split time with three teams during the 2014-15 season. In 24 games with the Ontario Hockey League’s Saginaw Spirit, he accumulated a 12-11-1 record, a 3.48 GAA, and a 0.905 save percentage before being traded to the Kitchener Rangers. In 26 games with the Rangers, he amassed a 14-10-2 record along with a 2.37 GAA and a 0.929 save percentage. Paterson also suited up for six playoff games with the Rangers, producing a 2-4 record and a 5.18 GAA, before being reassigned to Toledo. He concluded the season ranked inside the top 10 in several OHL goaltending categories including fourth in save percentage (0.917), fourth in saves (1,579), tied for sixth in shutouts (three), seventh in goals against average (2.90) and eighth in wins (26). Paterson made his professional debut with the Walleye in a relief effort on April 11 against Kalamazoo before earning his first professional victory behind 32 saves on April 12 against Kalamazoo.
Riding an eight-game winning streak, the Griffins will wrap up a four-game home stand when they host the Milwaukee Admirals at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
